yema urban traveller vs tissot prx

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Watch Review: Yema Urban Traveller Series

There is arguably no other segment of the modern watch market that carries the same level of fervent enthusiasm and fierce competition as the rapidly expanding integrated bracelet sports watch category. A vast assortment of brands have brought their own personal takes on the “Genta-esque” sporting timepiece to bear over the past few years, particularly on the entry-level side of the industry. While a sub-$1,000 watch of this kind was unheard of only a few short years ago, now there is a vibrant, hotly contested field of more affordable integrated designs to choose from. Independent French marque Yema is something of a dark horse in this quickly evolving market, bursting onto the scene in 2021 with the funky, athletic Wristmaster Traveller. For 2023, Yema refines this core design into a new trio of models, each sporting complex textured dials and a soft, summery color palette. The new Yema Urban Traveller collection stands as an intriguing contender in the integrated bracelet sports watch field, combining solid performance and build quality with charmingly quirky Gallic visual flair.

At 39mm-wide and 11.4mm-thick, the stainless steel case of the Yema Urban Traveller line offers a compact, balanced stance on the wrist that toes the line between vintage and modern styling. The overall case form is angular and deceptively simple at first glance, but close inspection reveals a wealth of unique stylistic choices. Viewed in silhouette, the Urban Traveller is more or less what one expects from an entry-level integrated sports watch — there’s a mildly rounded octagonal main case body, a set of polished chamfered edges breaking up a mostly linear brushed form, and a broad, vaguely non-circular raised bezel. Look beyond the broad strokes, however, and the Urban Traveller stands apart from its competitors. As a start, the main case is noticeably asymmetrical. While the 9 o’clock case side bows out gently to create a subtle curve between 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock, the corresponding 3 o’clock case side (including its integrated crown guards) abandons this curve in favor of a harsh, straight line between 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock. Yema continues this mix of slight curves and harsh angles through the integrated lugs, as well. At 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock, the case bends downward in a smooth curve to meet the integrated lug assembly, but there’s an abrupt implied transition to the central lug assemblies themselves. These central lugs are perfectly flat and planar, leading to an unusual visible “hump” in the middle of an otherwise visually uniform surface on the wrist.

Then, there’s the bezel itself. With slightly flattened segments at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock, this chamfered bezel echoes the look of the squared-off or octagonal bezels of more famous integrated designs, without directly lifting any visual cues. It’s the six “ashtray” cutouts in the upper bezel surface that truly steal the show, however. These are classic Yema touches, dating back to the brand’s Sous-Marine collection in the ‘80s, but these sharp-edged notches give a drastically different impression to more common decorative bezel screws. Due to the fact that they continue vertical brushing that surrounds them, these cutouts can completely disappear in certain lighting conditions, while at other angles they appear like holes punched clean through the bezel surface itself. These idiosyncratic touches certainly set the Urban Traveller apart from the field, but their straightforward finishing and execution may divide enthusiast opinions. Around back, Yema fits the Urban Traveller with a solid engraved caseback featuring the brand’s heraldic shield emblem in finely detailed relief. In keeping with the design’s sporty connotations, Yema rates the watch for a solid 100 meters of water resistance.

Available in powder blue, salmon, or pale silver, the Yema Urban Traveller collection’s dials are a mix of familiar integrated cues and simple-but-effective twists on the formula. Each of the trio sports clean applied lozenge indices, basic lumed stick hands, and a needle-style seconds hand that nudges the overall layout in a more sporting visual direction. In true integrated bracelet sports watch fashion, these dials aren’t complete without a unique dial texture, but rather than tapisserie or engraved lines, Yema instead opts for a complex tessellated hexagon-and-diamond pattern. Compared to many textured dials from its competitors, however, this stamped pattern’s lines are both narrow and shallow. In practice, this means the pattern disappears from many viewing angles for a cleaner, more basic look. This is particularly true with the blue and salmon dial models, which sport matte dial surfaces that tend to mask the sense of depth and texture at play. However, from certain oblique angles, light tends to catch the very edges of the stamped grooves, creating a web of intriguing razor-thin highlights across the dial surface. Conversely, the silver dial model stands out from the pack at nearly any viewing angle, thanks to its slightly metallic dial finish and a much more readily apparent series of highlights and shadows across the dial.

Inside the Yema Urban Traveller beats the brand’s in-house YEMA2000 automatic movement. Although there are a surprising amount of in-house calibers available in integrated sports watches at this price range, the YEMA2000 offers an arguably more premium on-wrist experience in some ways, while trading off benefits in others. For example, its smooth 28,800 bph sweep is markedly more refined than some of its key competitors, although this higher beat rate leads to a rather average 42-hour power reserve. The YEMA2000’s accuracy is decent if unspectacular, averaging +10 seconds per day across our testing period.

Of course, no discussion of an integrated bracelet sports watch is complete without examining its bracelet, and the Yema Urban Traveller’s stainless steel bracelet fits well with the overall ethos of the design. The broad-link design is clean and attractive, with smooth vertical brushing along the upper surfaces and a nearly taper-free form that gives the watch a pleasing sense of heft on the wrist. While the outer edges of the links do feature brightly polished chamfers, Yema’s take on this familiar bracelet style eschews the polished facets between links that some of its competitors feature. This leads to a more utilitarian, straightforward look than some of its rivals, but whether this is a more visually effective solution will largely come down to individual taste.

The integrated bracelet sports watch segment is more fiercely contested than ever before, particularly in the sub-$1,000 price range. Yema rises to the challenge with the Urban Traveller series, however, delivering a well-built, compelling challenger to the Swiss and Japanese giants with its own distinctive flavor. The Yema Urban Traveller collection is available to pre-order now through the brand’s e-commerce platform. MSRP for the Yema Urban Traveller stands at $890 USD as of press time. For more information, please visit the brand’s website .

Necessary Data >Brand : Yema > Model : Urban Traveller > Price :  $890 USD > Size : 39mm-wide, 11.4mm-thick, 43.5mm lug-to-lug > When reviewer would personally wear it : As a daily-wear sports watch, or as a stress-free choice for nights out. > Friend we’d recommend it to first : Younger collectors looking for a more technically capable option in the entry-level integrated sports watch field. > Best characteristic of watch : Balanced proportions; excellent movement for the price. > Worst characteristic of watch : Stamped dial texture can feel shallow and elemental from some angles; case and bracelet finishing is simpler and less nuanced than some key competitors.

THE HOME OF WATCH CULTURE

HANDS-ON: The Yema Urban Traveller delivers integrated-bracelet watches in a soft palette of summery dials

Earlier this year, Yema indicated their intentions to spice up their collections with the release of the Urban Field . With their Wristmaster Traveller Micro-Rotor being such a barnstorming hit last year too, it made perfect sense for the next experiment to evolve as the Yema Urban Traveller. Clinging to that 1970s retro swagger, this new trio of references modernises the look with a soft palette of summery dials and an affordable price tag.

The trend of integrated-bracelet watches seems to be even more popular now than in its origins of the 1970s, but with modern design techniques that can only be a good thing. The case of the Yema Urban Traveller doesn’t pull any punches from its geometric extremes, with a scalloped octagon framing the entire watch. Within that funky silhouette, a rounded porthole with gear-like steps forms the thick bezel — an edge of polished steel sharpening up the appearance of the brushed surface. Cutting into the side of the case to create guards is the crown, non-screwing but still secure enough for 100m of water resistance.

Wearability has always been a priority for Yema in the last handful of years, and they were one of the first brands to ride the wave of popularity for smaller cases. The diameter is a neat 39mm with a compact lug-to-lug length of 43.5mm, however there is a protruding end-link for the integrated bracelet that effectively extends it a little bit. Overall, it’s still a watch that will lend itself well to wrists of all sizes. The 11.4mm thickness prevents it feeling too bulky, despite its robust appearance and presence.

Yema’s definition of Urban is definitely linked to a casual nature, but that hasn’t stopped them from designing an intricate dial. With a near-honeycomb pattern arranged from a variety of shapes, the surface of the highly textured dial almost appears to be cracking like a salt lake viewed from above. It’s a style which can still be appreciated from afar, but also rewards close inspection. The three colours are soft to ease the harshness of the texture, culminating in a cool, summery vibe. A pale blue will surely be the most popular option, while the salmon colour offers a sort of classy refinement. The white dial is incredibly crisp, and by far the most legible with bold, black outlines on the hands and indices.

Those applied markers along with the baton hands are filled with BGW9 Super-LumiNova, a long-lasting luminous paint with a blue glow after dark. Using white (or black on the white dial) as the second hand’s colour firmly positions these variants as sports watches. The dial text is minimal with only the Yema logo and the word “automatique”, aiding the slight vintage flavour and keeping focus on the dial pattern.

The bracelet

Manufacturing technology has come a long way since the 1970s, and although integrated bracelets used to come with a slight disclaimer of ambiguous comfort, quality has much improved. The solid steel links of the Yema Urban Traveller cascade off each other nicely, and the all-brushed finish keeps things looking rugged and adventurous. A butterfly clasp is fitted to ensure the sleek look goes uninterrupted, and features brand engravings on the final links.

The movement

Hidden behind an engraving of Yema’s crest on a steel caseback is the in-house calibre YEMA2000. Having the ability to manufacture their own calibers is quite a big deal for a brand of this size, and it’s one of the reasons why they’re such great value for money. The YEMA2000 is the second generation, designed for simplicity and quality. This no-date variant operates at a smooth-ticking 4Hz, has 29 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve. It winds automatically in both directions of the swinging rotor, and has an average daily accuracy of +/-10 seconds per day.

The Yema Urban Traveller pricing and availability:

The Yema Urban Traveller is now available for preorder, with watches shipping from September 2023. Price: US$890

Preorder Alert: Yema Urban Traveller

By Patrick Kansa

When it comes to watches from Yema, my mental picture has come to be some flavor of their Superman , complete with their rather unique bezel lock that works in conjunction with the crown. And, to be fair, most designs were along that same pattern. That is, until we were alerted to the Yema Urban Traveller.

What is it?

To our eyes, the Yema Urban Traveller is the first truly new design we’ve seen from the brand in the past few years. That all starts with the case, which comes in at a positively svelte 11.4mm thick and a very wearable 39mm diameter. It has a loosely octagonal shape that the integrated bracelet snugs into, and is topped by a bezel with an interesting scallop pattern that calls to mind bezel designs from other luxury watch brands. The dial is also heavily textured, with a honeycomb pattern embedded into it, giving the dial a lot of life.

What’s it powered by?

If you prize known quantities, the movement used in the Yema Urban Traveller may be the weak point for you. Here, it’s their in-house calibre (that’s how they label it, we’ve not verified how in-house it truly is) the YEMA2000. Perhaps cleverer eyes than mine can discern what it may have been based from, and make an educated guess as to how serviceable it would be by your local watchmaker. For everyone else, this feels like a watch you’d likely be sending back to the factory for any sort of maintenance down the road.

What do we like about it?

The simple fact that the Yema Urban Traveller is truly a new design for the brand. Along with that, all of the dimensions seems spot on for making a very wearable and comfortable watch. On top of that, the design has some classic roots, while giving things enough of a difference so it can stand out to the discerning eye.

How can I pre-order one?

That also brings us to another great thing about the Yema Urban Traveller – the price, on a bracelet, is just $890 . For everything you’re getting here (and the full specs are listed below), that seems like a reasonable price for something that looks a lot more like a luxury watch than we’d expect to come from Yema. You can check out the full collection (there are three dial colors) and get your pre-order in, directly at yema.com

Tech Specs from Yema

• DIAMETER / THICKNESS / LUGS: 39 mm x 43.5 mm / 11.4 mm / 24 mm
• CASE: Brushed / Polished 316L Stainless Steel
• BEZEL: Brushed / Polished 316L Stainless Steel
• CROWN: Pushed crown with YEMA logo embossed
• YEMA2000 In-house Caliber “No-Date “
• Maximum rate of +/- 25 seconds per day
• Adjusted to +/- 10 seconds per day by our watchmakers before and after assembly
• Hours, minutes, seconds
• POWER RESERVE: 42 Hours
• CRYSTAL: 2.20 mm sapphire double domed crystal
• Dial with textured effects
• Applied polished SS indexes
• Polished Stainless steel hands
• Super-LumiNova BGW9
• WATER RESISTANCE: 10 BAR / 330 feet / 100 m
• Integrated 316L stainless steel bracelet
• Brushed flat surfaces. Polished bevels on the sides
• Double folding clasp

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A big data developer and leader with a penchant for gadgets, books, watches and beverages. You can find my work on WristWatchReview, Knapsack.News, and Slushpile. If you're on Twitter and/or Instagram, you'll find me there as @PatrickWatches.

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Make Much of Time

On Spec: YEMA Urban Traveller

Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a rise in stainless steel sports watches which feature an integrated bracelet. When I say stainless steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet, what immediately comes to mind are a few creations by Gerald Genta. While most modern designs by different brands share the Genta aesthetic, some have created unique designs that pay a simple tribute to their integrated bracelet predecessors. YEMA has had tremendous momentum from their latest YEMA x ALPINE WEC releases. They have carried that momentum into their newest release, the Urban Traveller— a stainless steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet.

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“The iconic YEMA Traveller with integrated bracelet returns in a dressy collection featuring a honeycomb dial in soft summer colours and refined steel applied markers and hands. Equipped with our In-house Caliber YEMA2000, this new Urban Traveller collection has been designed as a comfortable and elegant everyday sports watch.” -YEMA

The Urban Traveller features a 39.5mm asymmetrical octagonal case alternating between brushed and polished case finishing, establishing a note of elegance while maintaining the overall sport and tool watch aesthetic. The bezel of the Urban Traveller pulls inspiration from a vintage YEMA model, the Sous Marine, from the 1980s and is machined from one piece of stainless steel. The bezel features three different finishes; the top and bottom bezels feature vertical brushing and a polished transition where the horizontal and vertical portions of the bezel meet.

What may shock some is the 24mm integrated bracelet on the Urban Traveller. While considered wide, the bracelet provides even more stability on the wrist due to its more expansive proportions. The bracelet finish follows the same aesthetic as the bezel and case, with vertical brushing on the link surfaces and a polished outer edge to add to the overall aesthetic and make the watch look genuinely seamless.

Powering the Urban Traveller is the YEMA2000 in-house calibre automatic movement. The YEMA2000 is a second generation in-house calibre, offering an accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per day and a 42-hour power reserve. Pre-orders are available now and will ship end of September 2023. For more information, click here .

About the Author

Born into a family obsessed with motorsport,  Tyler Frederick  became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on  Instagram .

Other Watchy Bits  include op-ed pieces and articles of general interest. We’d love to hear your opinion in the comments section below.

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Review: Tissot’s PRX Chrono Is a Reimagined Neo-Retro Integrated Bracelet Icon

By: Tim Huber Published: Mar 15, 2023

Short for “Precise, Robust, X (with the X being a 10 in Roman numerals — a nod to the watch’s ability to offer 10 atmospheres of water resistance ) —  the Tissot PRX was a popular Swiss-made quartz-powered watch that first hit the market in 1978. Capitalizing on the era’s proclivity for integrated bracelet watches, the original PRX was largely defined by its slender tonneau-style case, narrow hour markers, and overall sleek design language. Nearly four and a half decades after the release of its first PRX watch, and the Le Locle label made waves in the horological world once again in 2021 with the unveiling of its updated retro-inspired PRX line. Fast forward to today and the revived PRX’s immense popularity has ultimately driven Tissot to deliver numerous additions to the PRX family, with a myriad of references all ranging in style, movement, and case size, including an automatic chronograph variant in the Spring of 2022 — a sleek ‘70s-inspired timepiece that we’ll be putting to the test in this hands-on review of the Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph Watch. 

At A Glance

Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph Specs

Case Size: 42mm Lug to Lug: 41.5mm Case Thickness: 14.5mm Lug Width: 13mm Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel Water Resistance: 100m Movement Type: Automatic Power Reserve: 60 Hours Movement: Valjoux A05 H31 Lume: Super-LumiNova Crystal: Sapphire Strap: Single-Link Stainless Steel Bracelet

Getting Acquainted With An Integrated Bracelet Icon

First Impressions Of The Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph

With its tonneau-shaped case, sharp flat integrated lugs, and stealthy single link bracelet, the Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph readily announces itself as being part of the larger PRX family. However, with quartz PRX quartz and auto models currently available from $375 and $650 respectively, we really weren’t sure what to expect with this nearly-$2,000 chronograph reference — or if it would afford anywhere near the same level of bang for your buck as its more affordable counterparts. Fortunately, we’re pleased to report that Tissot more than manages to justify this watch’s $1,825 MSRP, as it unequivocally distinguishes itself from the rest of the PRX family with its execution and craftsmanship — as well as via its larger case size, stellar surface finishes, high-end materials, and use of a Swiss-made Valjoux movement. 

While photographs of this PRX model do it justice to some extent, it can still be difficult to fully grasp what a tremendously cohesive design the watch sports. Part of Tissot’s T- Classic Collection , the PRX Auto Chrono features an ultra-sleek case that’s complemented by an attractive dial, equally sleek chrono pushers, and a stunning Y-shaped single-link bracelet — the latter of which wonderfully ties the entire timepiece together (in both figurative and literal senses). The entire design is further complemented via a balanced amalgamation of vertical brushed and mirror polished finishes. 

Chronofied Tonneau-Cased Classic

The Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph’s Case

With existing PRX models like the Powermatic 80 being such smashing successes, it’s frankly unsurprisingly that Tissot opted to employ an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude when designing the PRX Automatic Chronograph’s case, as the chrono model’s tonneau-shaped housing and single-link bracelet are nearly identical to that of the existing PRX references — save for slightly larger dimensions, a new sub-dial-equipped face , and the addition of chrono pushers above and below the crown. The Auto Chrono version of the PRX also retains its siblings’ fixed bezel and cases’ combination of vertical brushing and mirror polishing.

As touched on above, Tissot’s PRX Automatic Chronograph boasts fairly substantial dimensions, with the case measuring 42mm by 41.5mm, and sporting a 13mm lugs and a thickness of 14.5mm. Interestingly, with the case’s lugs being incredibly stubby, the case manages to deliver an impressively compact lug-to-lug measurement of just 41.5mm. Also wonderfully complemented by its single-link bracelet, the case itself is crafted from premium 316L stainless steel. Water resistant down to 100 meters, the entire watch tips the scales at 185 grams (or 6.49oz), including the steel bracelet. 

A polished knurled T-logoed crown is also present on the largely satin steel case while a fixed mirror-polished bezel encompasses the timepiece’s panda-style dial. Opposite the dial, the case has been bestowed with a transparent case-back that provides a look at the PRX model’s Swiss-made automatic movement and its custom-decorated rotor. As a chronograph, this PRX Auto model also unsurprisingly gains a pair of sleek polished chrono pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock — the former of which activates and stops the watch’s timing hand while the latter resets the 12 o’clock position as needed. 

An Elegant Panda

The Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph’s Dial

Equipped with the original PRX model’s hallmark narrow hour markers, this version of the Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph jettisons its PRX siblings’ sunburst and waffle-pattern faces in favor of a classic panda-style layout. Sitting under a scratch-resistant AR-coated sapphire crystal, the duotone dial boasts a brushed white base that’s contrasted via a trio of black sub-dials, narrow high-polished rose gold indices, matching rose gold sub-dial hands, and a three-item rose gold baton-style hand-set. 

This elegant-looking dial layout also boasts a small date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. Aside from the date window, the sub-dials feature the dial’s only numerals. The bottom sub-dial also houses a white PRX logo while a classic Tissot logo sits above the company’s founding year just below 12 o’clock. The words “Swiss Made” are also separated by the dial’s 6 o’clock hour marker. What’s more, Super-Luminova adorns the dial’s hand-set and hour markers, albeit in somewhat modest amounts. In addition to a fixed outer bezel, the entire dial is also circled by small railroad track style markers. 

Y-Shaped Flat Single-Link

The Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph’s Bracelet

Whether discussing the modern PRX line or its range of predecessor’s from the 1970s , a major part of these watches’ overall design is their iconic single-link stainless steel bracelets. Perfectly matching the visual theme of the case, this integrated bracelet rests on a 13mm lug and, more importantly, plays an enormous role in the watch’s overall charm, character, and appeal. Sitting flush with the case, this integrated bracelet features an ultra-unique design with single-row flat-links that sport a wide Y-shape that extends from the top of the watch — or an upside-down Y-shape from the bottom. 

Decorated with the words “Tissot” and “1853” — blocks of text them come together when the two ends are joined — the bracelet’s clasp consists of a butterfly item that’s unlocked via a set of push-buttons. And, while we’re personally incredibly fond of this Y-shaped design, those interested in swapping out the bracelet can very easily do so via the quick-release mechanism that Tissot integrated into the backside of the case. 

A Swiss-Made Auto

The Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph’s Movement

On display through the timepiece’s exhibition case-back, the PRX Automatic Chronograph is kept ticking via a VALJOUX A05.H3 movement. Made in Switzerland, this 27-jewel movement has been decorated via a Geneva waves on its rotor. Protected by a two-year warranty, this automatic watch movement also comes equipped with a generous 60-hour power reserve. While it’s not the fanciest or most innovative watch motor, it’s a solid workhorse of a movement that’s more than capable of delivering competent time-keeping and chronograph duties. 

Reaching A Verdict

Final Thoughts On The Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph

Our expectations for a watch’s overall quality and fit and finish often largely stem from the timepiece’s MSRP, though this isn’t the case with the PRX Auto Chrono. Despite a sub-$2,000 price point, this PRX reference manages to punch will above its weight in terms of craftsmanship and attention to detail. In typical luxury Swiss watch fashion , this PRX model is incredibly calculated, with every millimeter of the watch being carefully considered, crafted, and executed. While it may not afford the same level of value as some of the cheaper entry-level PRX models, this automatic chronograph still boasts pretty great bang for your buck. 

And while Tissot’s PRX Automatic Chronograph is a beautifully designed timepiece with an unmistakable retro flair, one thing it isn’t is subtle. Even with its lug-to-lug measurement helping to balance it out, the PRX Auto Chrono is a bold, substantially-sized item, with a 42mm case that readily announces itself and catches the eye — unlike more discreet-looking tool-style timepieces that better blend into their surroundings. As such, this watch probably won’t be an ideal choice for those looking for a versatile, understated, daily-wear reference that flies under the radar, however, if you’re in the market for a more dressed up watch for use in professional or formal settings — or simply to class or spiff-up a casual outfit — the PRX Automatic Chronograph is a stellar choice. 

After spending a few weeks wearing this Swiss-made watch, it ultimately became abundantly clear why the PRX Auto Chrono — and the entire T-Classic Collection for that matter — has/have become so popular amongst casual and avid horological collectors and enthusiasts , alike. And, despite a personal penchant for more casual-looking watches, it’s nonetheless hard not to admire Tissot’s PRX Automatic Chronograph for what it is; a beautiful Swiss-made ‘70s-inspired integrated bracelet timepiece that can go toe-to-toe with references costing several times what it does. 

The Best Men’s Watches Under $2,000

Want to check out an additional selection of stellar luxury timepieces that can be had for under two grand? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the best watches under $2,000 for a curated list of high-end wristwatches with attainable MSRPs.

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40mm or 35mm…? The Two Sizes Of The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Compared

And if you hesitate, the short answer is... it depends.

To say that the Tissot PRX is a success would be an understatement. It is a massive hit, and for obvious reasons. Besides the overall very decent quality of the watch, combined with an accessible price, it’s mostly its style that made it so popular… The flair of the 1970s, the luxury sports watch look , the integrated design, a powerful and reliable movement and the resemblance with some of the most iconic watches (but clearly unattainable) of the category. It has it all. But the only mechanical option , up until recently, was undoubtedly on the large side. Problem (partially…) solved, as we now have the new Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm . Is it perfect? Which model should you choose? We compare the 35mm and 40mm Tissot PRX to help you decide. Spoiler alert: it’ll be a hard choice!

For many years, the concept of the luxury sports watch – refined, high-end watches (mostly) in stainless steel with a matching and integrated steel bracelet and thin movements, as first presented by Audemars Piguet and designed by Gerald Genta with the 1972 Royal Oak – has been the exclusivity of a wealthy and privileged crowd. Not only these watches, with names such as the Royal Oak , the 222/Overseas and the Nautilus , were priced at high levels, but availability has been problematic in recent years. Still, some watchmakers, seeing an impressive rise in popularity for the sporty-chic watch with integrated design, decided it was time for the masses to also enjoy it. It somehow started with Maurice Lacroix and the Aikon collection , soon joined by an array of brands seeing immense potential.

Among them was Tissot, which came with a watch named the PRX , which ended up being one of the most credible alternatives on the market. Nicely designed, manufactured according to the strict standards of the Swatch Group, mechanically interesting, fully equipped and even carrying some historical background, just to add some legitimacy to the concept, the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80, presented in mid-2021, will soon become a success. And the addition of a green dial , later joined by a fancy ice blue dial or long-awaited rubber straps only increased the popularity of this watch retailing way below 1,000 euros.

The return of the Tissot PRX was done in early 2021, with a quartz movement. What mattered most to us here, at MONOCHROME, was the introduction of the mechanical Powermatic 80 edition in June 2021. Let’s do a quick recap, just to have a solid base before moving to the new 35mm edition and how it compares to the larger version. The PRX, understand by that the 2021 model with automatic movement, was housed in a stainless steel case of 40mm, with a height of about 11mm and a design that was based on a late-1970s watch first named Seastar, later renamed PRX (where P stands for Precise, R for Robust and the X, here a Roman numeral, refers to the 10 bars water-resistance). Early models came with a waffle-like pattern embossed on the dial, and a Powermatic 80 movement, the highly competitive entry-level automatic movement of the Swatch Group . Price… Less than 700 euros back then.

It all sounds perfect on paper. But there was a slight issue with this 40mm edition, at least for some watch enthusiasts with a smaller wrist. While the lug-to-lug dimension was announced at about 45mm, the reality was different. Indeed, the first link of the bracelet doesn’t articulate, meaning that including it resulted in a L2L measurement of more than 51mm. The more flexible rubber strap later added to the collection somehow corrected this, but if you prefer a steel bracelet, you had to deal with a rather lengthy watch. Personally, on my 16.5cm wrist, the classic 40mm PRX always felt manageable, even if a slightly smaller case and wrist presence would have not bothered me either. And I was not the only one demanding a mid-size watch. Men, but also women, asked for it. And Tissot made it.

Welcome the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm , a.k.a the mid-size edition. What has changed? Well, not much apart from the dimensions. The overall look and feel are identical, the specs are the same, the features are shared and the movement is still the calibre 80.111. So, to make it short, it’s all down to a reduction of (almost) all measurements. 35mm in diameter, still the same 11.3mm thickness, a reduced lug width – 24mm vs. 27mm – a bracelet that tapers to 16mm instead of 18mm at the clasp. Materials, fit and finish? Entirely identical. Water-resistance? Still 100 metres. Construction of the bracelet and clasp design? No changes there.

Apart from the reduction of the case diameter, with a significant decrease of 5mm, it is the lug-to-lug measurement that matters most here. Now, including the non-articulated first link of the bracelet, the length of the case has lost about 6.5mm to a fairly compact 44.9mm – Tissot mentions 35mm L2L without this link, but we have measured about 38.5mm at the tip of the lugs, on the side of the case (Tissot might have a different way to measure, though… probably between the lugs, were the bracelet is attached).

Now come the important questions… How does it look? How does it feel on the wrist? First of all, it is well known that reducing a case doesn’t necessarily bring the same visual balance. A watch can look good in 42mm and be unbalanced in 37mm. The opposite is also true. A slender, compact sports watch of 36mm might look disproportionate in a 40mm case (I see you Rolex Explorer 40 …) What about the 35mm PRX Powermatic? My own, biased perception is that of a watch that looks good, yet a bit top-heavy. Since the thickness is the same, the proportions have changed, making the watch visually thicker than its larger brother. The 40mm, having more length, can easier hide its thickness (even though, strictly speaking, it isn’t thick). It’s all down to a sort of golden ratio, the surface/height parameter… The new 35mm doesn’t look bad at all, far from me to say that, it just feels a bit more chubby.

How does this new PRX Powermatic 80 35mm wear compare to its larger brother? Well, thankfully, the issue I mentioned above somehow fades away once you have the watch on the wrist. The fact that Tissot hides most of the thickness into the caseback, with thin flanks for the central case, virtually slims down the watch – the caseback somehow sinking into the wrist. What about the size? First of all, looking at the photos illustrating this article, it must be said that our editor Robin produced the images. Robin, a tall Dutchman, has a wrist of about 18.5cm. And if the 35mm looks good on him, at least according to me, he thinks it’s a bit too small and he prefers the 40mm model (which he owns). And I fully understand that.

On my own 16.5cm wrist, as well as on a 15cm feminine wrist, the 35mm PRX Powermatic 80 simply looks great. Balanced, proportioned, having this lovely effect of the bracelet wrapping around the wrist, and not that of a watch sitting on top of the wrist. The last benefit of a smaller case? As it features the same movement, the 35mm PRX has, in my opinion, a nicer position for the date window, sitting closer to the edge of the dial. However, I think the dial of the 40mm, with more space around the markers and logos, feels more balanced visually.

All in all, there’s no definitive choice and nothing is entirely perfect. There are compromises on each side. Remember that we’re looking at a segment of the market that cannot be as refined as something from Patek or Vacheron. Changing the size of a watch is one thing, creating a new, smaller and thinner movement would require much more effort and thus different costs. That being said, I think Tissot did a great job when reducing the PRX Powermatic 80. The new watch is as good as its larger brother on most levels, just more compact and still visually balanced. It has its own charm and style.

Which one should you choose? I would say this; if you’re a tall man with a wrist above 17.5cm, the 40mm PRX would be my first choice. Shorter, skinnier men with wrists below 17cm will certainly be better with the 35mm (remember, the length of the watch matters more here than the diameter). But, to make things a bit more complex, I’d end up saying “it depends” – I know, you can hate me for that one… It depends on your tastes, on how you feel comfortable with your watch, and on how you express your style. In any case, there’s no bad option, just your own choice. If you can, try both models at a retailer (or order both from Tissot’s website and keep the one you prefer). Start with fresh eyes, don’t have stereotypes about smaller watches. Just try them, see how you feel, and enjoy one of the coolest models in this now ultra-competitive market for accessible sports watches with integrated design. Either way, the PRX doesn’t disappoint.

We’re heard some complains about the 35mm being too small in the comments below our video review on Youtube . Some apparently wished for a 37mm version. I clearly encourage them to try both sizes before expressing an opinion.

Both the 35mm and 40mm editions of the PRX Powermatic 80 are now available for orders, at a price of EUR 745 . The 35mm edition is available, for now, exclusively on steel bracelet, with a blue, black, dark green or white mother-of-pearl dial (the one presented here, and priced at EUR 795). The 40mm version is available in blue, black, dark green and ice blue, with options for a steel bracelet, a leather strap or a rubber strap.

You can read more details about the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm and check our video review in this article here . For more details and orders, please visit www.tissotwatches.com .

Technical specifications – Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm vs. Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 40mm

12 responses.

With a 17cm wrist I’m definitely there in the camp of “try both sizes before expressing an opinion”. 🙂

Just brush-metal finish the shiny bezel and make it flat-faced instead of tapering into the glass/crystal. The light reflection from the current one takes away from the otherwise very timeless design.

I feel like the 35mm PRX is best in quartz since the case is slimmed down to 9.6mm. It’s also the most true to the watch’s origins and inspiration. Automatics were archaic in the mid to late 70s and the in-house 2030 movement Tissot put in the original PRX was pretty interesting, as many early quartz movements tended to be.

That being said, I think there’s room for both in a collection – the 40mm PRX for warm weather and short sleeves where more ‘wrist presence’ is a good thing and the smaller 35mm for a smaller and less obtrusive watch that needs to fit under tight sleeves, cuffs, and gloves.

Too big of a gap between 35-40. next up will probably be a 37 or 38mm.

I’d have to try them on. My wrist is just under 17cm, but I’m the kind of person that likes both larger and smaller watches. Looking at the pictures and the YouTube video I think I prefer the 35mm, but it’s hard to say.

Ugh, it’s frustrating to try to get a sense of the size with the watches worn the “wrong” way down against the wrist below the wrist bone.

This is the epitome of hair splitting in the watchmaking industry nebula. A nine-minute life literally wasted on reading about how you should rather wear a big watch if you’re rather big, or a not so big one if you aren’t.

picked up a 35mm myself, it’s great. i have a 6.3″ wrist and 55mm across

It’s silly that the author seems to think that people need advice on what sizes of watches they should buy.

The 40mm Powermatic80 has more versions, the article is missing the white dial with rosegold PVD and steel casing as show on the image “Three 40mm editions of the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80”. I own 3 PRX, 2 Powermatic 40mm and the goldcolored quartz, amazing watches.

Until recently I’d not seen one in the flesh, the 40mm looks huge, 38mm would be better but until there is an option without the waffle dial it’s neither for me.

The position of the date window on the dial clearly speaks for the 35 millimeters.

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Yema Urban Traveller

Timekeeping meets adventurous spirit.

In the ever-evolving world of horology, there are timepieces that not only captivate with their stunning aesthetics but also embody the spirit of adventure. One such watch that effortlessly blends style and functionality is the remarkable Yema Urban Traveller. Designed to accompany modern explorers on their journeys, this timepiece boasts a fusion of timeless elegance and rugged durability, making it the perfect companion for urban adventurers.

The Yema Urban Traveller watch stands as a testament to Yema’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. Its design seamlessly blends classic elements with contemporary touches, resulting in a sleek and sophisticated timepiece. The stainless steel case effortlessly merges with the elegant lines of the lugs, exuding both refinement and versatility. With a diameter of 39mm, it strikes the perfect balance, making a bold statement while ensuring a comfortable fit on the wrist.

As you gaze upon the dial of the Yema Urban Traveller, you’re transported to a world of possibilities and adventures waiting to be discovered. The dial exhibits a captivating interplay of textures and colours, with a choice of Pale Blue, White or Salmon. The bold, luminescent hour markers and hands ensure excellent legibility, even in low-light conditions, while being a no-date model highlights its simplicity.

Super Luminova BGW9

The Super-LumiNova BGW9 coating ensures excellent visibility of the hands and markers even in low-light conditions, allowing for perfect readability in the dark.

Yema 2000 Caliber Movement

Yema’s YEMA2000 calibre represents the brand’s second-generation of movements, surpassing the cal. MBP1000 found in earlier Yema timepieces such as the Superman Bronze, with notable advancements. This self-winding movement features 29 jewels, a power reserve of 42 hours, and operates at a frequency of 4 Hz, while also incorporating hacking functionality. Its exceptional accuracy is demonstrated by its regulation to within 10 seconds per day. A point worth highlighting is that Yema takes pride in the movement’s design, development, and assembly taking place in France, making it one of the scarce genuinely French movements available in today’s market.

While the Yema Urban Traveller embodies elegance, it does not compromise on durability. Its stainless steel case is complemented by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, offering excellent protection against everyday wear and tear. The watch also boasts an impressive water resistance of 10 Bar – 100m, allowing adventurers to confidently explore both urban landscapes and aquatic wonders.

Integrated Bracelet

The Yema Urban Traveller showcases a striking design feature through its continuous pattern of vertically brushed surfaces and polished angles. This seamless integration can be observed from the top of the bezel, extending gracefully to the case and seamlessly into the integrated steel bracelet. The tapered links on the bracelet beautifully accentuate the effect, with vertical brushed surfaces harmoniously meeting polished angles, leading all the way to the double folding clasp. The result is a cohesive aesthetic that exudes elegance and attention to detail.

Timeless Elegance and Versatility

In a world where time is of the essence, the Yema Urban Traveller watch seamlessly combines timeless elegance, versatility, and the spirit of adventure. Designed to accompany modern explorers on their urban quests, this exceptional timepiece represents the perfect blend of style and functionality. Whether you’re embarking on a global journey or simply navigating the hustle and bustle of city life, the Yema Urban Traveller is a reliable companion that reflects your adventurous spirit with every passing second.

We have yet to get hands on the Urban Traveller, but i need to. Up close and hands on, i know this watch wont disappoint. I have a thing for blue dials and the honeycomb texture does look really good. It ticks a big box for me there and the integrated bracelet looks very slick and well made. I already own 5 Yema models including the earlier 80’s Sous-Marine that the bezel plays homage to. Plus I need a well priced dress/traveller watch in my collection.

Diameter: 39mm x 43.5mm Thickness: 11.4mm Case: Brushed / Polished 316L Stainless Steel Crystal: 2.20 mm sapphire double domed crystal

Movement: YEMA2000 Caliber – No date Power Reserve: 42Hrs Water Resistance: 10 BAR / 330 feet / 100 m Band: Integrated 316L stainless steel/ Double folding clasp

Available to buy direct from Yema HERE

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