Sunday, April 5, 2009

Tissot PRS516 Steel Black Automatic Mens Watch T91.1.483.51

Product Description

Stainless steel case and bracelet. Black dial with black bezel. Day and date display at 3 o'clock position. Scratch resistant sapphire crystal. Push button deployment clasp. Case diameter 41mm. Case thickness 12.5mm. Automatic movement. Water resistant at 50 meters (165 feet). Alternate model number T91148351. tissot PRS516 Steel Black Automatic Mens Watch T91.1.483.51

Customer Buzz
This is a good looking watch with a really good looking bracelet. It is bigger, thicker and heavier than I expected (which is a bit of a disappointment). It is very easy to read the numbers and the day/date (which is important to me as I don't wear my reading glasses a lot of the time. It is also easy to see at night. It has a see through back which seems pointless. I like the saphire crystal. I wanted a nice looking everyday watch that was easy to read and not expensive. I did not need extra bells and whistles. . .just something which keeps accurate time. It seems to me to strike the right balance between dressy and sporty. I am very satisfied with this purchase.

Customer Buzz
As someone who is highly knowledgable about Swiss watches, I would like everyone interested in this watch to understand that the negative review by Y.S. Lim is extraordinarily out of context and entirely unfair to Tissot and to the product he is reviewing. In consideration of fairness, I want to be sure that I address this appropriately.

First and foremost, this watch is rated at 50m water resistance. As someone else posted, this is a static measurement. If you get it wet in the rain or under the faucet, the watch should not take in any moisture. But, if you try to take it diving, in the shower, etc., it's not going to make it - especially if it's in the form of steam! This would most certainly cause water damage under the crystal. I wonder if the instructions outlined the limitations and whether he actually read them.

Second, with regard to customer service, I assume that this person purchased the watch on Amazon, hence his posting here. Like almost every fine timepiece manufacturer, warranties are only honored if the watch is purchased from an authorized retailer. Go into almost any jewelry store that sells nice watches and there will be a policy (and often a sign) stating that they will not service watches purchased on the Internet. The reasons for this are many, but it's primarily due to quality assurance and prevention of price wars among its retailers. If he did in fact buy this watch from anywhere but an authorized dealer, it's very possible Tissot would not honor the warranty. This is common practice and perfectly sensible! Thus, he is forced to go to a local watch repair shop that does not have the relationship with the manufacturer and whose parts orders are not filled nearly as quickly. I am absolutely NOT suggesting that purchasing online is a bad idea, nor am I stating that other service and repair options besides factory are less desirable. I am simply stating that there is a difference in the level of service you can expect and the level of personal response you'll get from the manufacturer. That's just the way it is. Even if a warranty were in effect, I'd be willing to bet the water damage was exempt from coverage because the owner was at fault.

Lastly, the references to Swatch and the Tissot brand are unfairly skewed. It is true that Tissot is owned by the Swatch Group, but so are Breguet, Blancpain, Glaschutte Original, Omega, Tiffany (watches), Rado, Longines, Hamilton and others. Not a soul who knows anything about watches would toss these brands into the same category as the low tier Swatch quartz brand. Just because they are under the same corporate umbrella does not make them equal in any way. Also, Swatch owns ETA, which is the world's largest producer of mechanical movements. These movements, in some shape or form go into all of the watch brands above and also Oris, Tag Heuer, Breitling, IWC and many others. Other than some finishing and calibration, there is little difference between an ETA movement that goes into a Tissot versus a Tag Heuer. So saying that Tissot is an overpriced Swatch is way out of line and displays a serious lack of understanding of the industry and its products.

My advice to anyone interested in this or any other fine timepiece is to do some research and read multiple reviews on multiple sites. You will eventually see a pattern and will be able to discern for yourself whether the purchase will be worthy. Check on warranty guidelines if you're purchasing online from anywhere but an authorized dealer, and make sure you understand exactly what the water resistance level means before you subject your watch to the elements.

Bottom line, for the money, it's tough to beat this watch. You get a virtually scratch-proof sapphire crystal, exhibition caseback, automatic ETA movement, screw-down crown, luminous hands and markers and 100% Swiss quality. Tissot makes better watches than this, and there's a huge line of quartz for less money you might like better. But if you're looking for a great value in a mechanical watch, don't let this person's rant dissuade you. I've owned multiple Tissots without ever having a problem. Not one. And I know you'll find others who will say the same thing.

Customer Buzz
Decided to buy a Tissot PRs 516 automatic because of its claim to fame by a Swiss manufacturer. Since buying the watch in early March, I have worn it for approximately 4 weeks total and it has been in the workshop for the rest of the time (sent back twice). I lead a normal lifestyle and enjoy the occasional leisurely swim. I also wear the watch in the shower.
Within 2 weeks of wearing the watch, there was a thin film of mist inside the watch chamber, both front and back portions. This got worse until water droplets formed inside the chamber, staining the luminova and the watch face. I tried to get in touch with Tissot, but it appears they only have regional offices as such who seem to reply with an automated e-mail reply detailing various factory warranty repair centers in the locality.
Till today, none of my personal inquiries have been answered by Tissot.

Having sent the watch to the local watch repair center (from their private website they claim to repair high end swiss watches as their specialty), the repair center kept the watch for 2 months because there was a back-order of parts from Tissot for about 6 weeks, and then another 2 to do the necessary work on the watch.
The watch was returned in a polished and as new condition. Within 3 days, there was again, a mist of condensation inside the watch. There was 1 leisurely swim in an 18 meter pool, and a few showers that the 50m watch had to withstand- that was all.. not even a 49m dive was required of the watch.

As expected, the moisture got worse, and the dialface + luminova got discoloured again. the watch was then sent back to the repair center and I've only just received it back after 2 1/2 months wait. the black ring around the watch with the numbers on it appear to be off-orientation by 1-2 mm. Hence, the numbers and the clock luminovas do not match up now.

Having researched the background of Tissot, they are now owned exclusively by the Swatch group. Therein lies the main issue. If you wish to buy a swatch, go ahead and buy a swatch. Don't buy a Tissot disguised as as Swatch and pay 4 times the price for a watch which does not stand up to the simple test of waterproofing.
For the price I paid, approx US $550 or £300, I would have been happier with an ugly Tag, knowing that I can take a shower or swim and not be worried about water in the watch.

I am even happy to provide photographic evidence of the moisture within the watch, since there appears to be no response from tissot USA, Tissot UK or Tissot Switzerland.


Customer Buzz
Decided to buy a Tissot PRs 516 automatic because of its claim to fame by a Swiss manufacturer. Since buying the watch in early March, I have worn it for approximately 4 weeks total and it has been in the workshop for the rest of the time (sent back twice). I lead a normal lifestyle and enjoy the occasional leisurely swim. I also wear the watch in the shower.
Within 2 weeks of wearing the watch, there was a thin film of mist inside the watch chamber, both front and back portions. This got worse until water droplets formed inside the chamber, staining the luminova and the watch face. I tried to get in touch with Tissot, but it appears they only have regional offices as such who seem to reply with an automated e-mail reply detailing various factory warranty repair centers in the locality.
Till today, none of my personal inquiries have been answered by Tissot.

Having sent the watch to the local watch repair center (from their private website they claim to repair high end swiss watches as their specialty), the repair center kept the watch for 2 months because there was a back-order of parts from Tissot for about 6 weeks, and then another 2 to do the necessary work on the watch.
The watch was returned in a polished and as new condition. Within 3 days, there was again, a mist of condensation inside the watch. There was 1 leisurely swim in an 18 meter pool, and a few showers that the 50m watch had to withstand- that was all.. not even a 49m dive was required of the watch.

As expected, the moisture got worse, and the dialface + luminova got discoloured again. the watch was then sent back to the repair center and I've only just received it back after 2 1/2 months wait. the black ring around the watch with the numbers on it appear to be off-orientation by 1-2 mm. Hence, the numbers and the clock luminovas do not match up now.

Having researched the background of Tissot, they are now owned exclusively by the Swatch group. Therein lies the main issue. If you wish to buy a swatch, go ahead and buy a swatch. Don't buy a Tissot disguised as as Swatch and pay 4 times the price for a watch which does not stand up to the simple test of waterproofing.
For the price I paid, approx US $550 or £300, I would have been happier with an ugly Tag, knowing that I can take a shower or swim and not be worried about water in the watch.

I am even happy to provide photographic evidence of the moisture within the watch, since there appears to be no response from tissot USA, Tissot UK or Tissot Switzerland.


About Tissot PRS516 Steel Black Automatic Mens Watch T91.1.483.51 detail

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #13038 in Watches
  • Brand: Tissot
  • Model: T91148351
  • Band material: Stainless Steel Bracelet
  • Bezel material: stainless-steel
  • Case material: Stainless Steel
  • Clasp type: double-locking-fold-over-clasps
  • Dial color: Black
  • Dial window material: anti-reflective-sapphire
  • Movement type: Automatic
  • Water-resistant to 50 meters

Features

  • Movement - Mechanical Automatic
  • Water Resistant - 50Meters (165FT) Water Resistant
  • Case Diameter - 40 mm
  • Crystal - Sapphire Crystal

Read more Tissot PRS516 Steel Black Automatic Mens Watch T91.1.483.51

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