Vintage Tissot Automatic Day-Date ‘TV-Screen’ with Blue Inner Ring from the Mid-1970s

Vintage Tissot Automatic “TV-Screen” Case

This is a distinctive Tissot Automatic Day-Date from the mid-1970s, featuring a bold “TV-screen” case design and a Swiss automatic movement. The combination of the off-white dial and the deep blue inner dial ring gives it a sharp, sporty aesthetic typical of the late vintage era.

Overview

• Brand: Tissot
• Era: Mid-1970s
• Movement: Tissot automatic, SSIH era (Omega-derived architecture)
• Functions: Hours, minutes, sweep seconds, day-date calendar (Spanish/Italian day wheel)
• Case Shape: Iconic “TV-Screen” (rounded square)

Technical Specifications

• Movement: The watch is powered by a Tissot automatic movement from the SSIH era, when Tissot and Omega were sister companies sharing movement architecture. It has a rose-gilt finish and a full rotor running on a central ball bearing, driving central hours, minutes, sweep seconds and a day-date calendar.

• Case: Stainless steel construction, with a case back embossed with the vintage Tissot “T” logo.

• Dial: Off-white dial with a contrasting navy blue inner ring. The day-date window sits at 3 o’clock, and the day wheel is printed with Spanish/Italian abbreviations, pointing to its original southern-European distribution market.

• Calendar: Day-date complication at 3 o’clock. The day wheel uses Spanish/Italian abbreviations — SAB for Sábado / Sabato, DOM for Domingo / Domenica.

• Crystal: Domed acrylic crystal, following the contours of the TV-screen case, with light edge wear consistent with age.

• Bracelet: Integrated-style stainless steel multi-link bracelet with a signed Tissot folding clasp.

Condition Report

• Dial & Hands: The dial is in very good vintage condition, with light age-toning to the off-white surface and a little grime at the outer edge of the blue ring. The baton hands retain their original finish with light, age-appropriate oxidation on the metal surfaces.

• Case: The steel case shows honest wear with minor surface scratches, but it retains its original sharp edges and has not been over-polished.

• Movement: Clean appearance with no signs of moisture ingress or corrosion, as the movement photographs show. The movement sits in its original cream nylon spacer ring.

• Bracelet: The bracelet shows moderate wear consistent with age but remains fully functional and comfortable for daily wear.

Listing Highlights

• Retro Aesthetic: Perfect for collectors seeking the “Space Age” design language of the 70s.

• Swiss Automatic: A Tissot-signed automatic movement from the era when Tissot and Omega shared engineering under SSIH.

• Ready to Wear: A versatile piece that transitions well from casual to formal settings.

This watch has recently been serviced by a professional watchmaker and keeps good time.

Comes with original stainless steel Tissot bracelet included.

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We guarantee the item you receive looks and works exactly as advertised — or your money back.

Swiss watches

are known for their long history of precision engineering and repairable mechanical design. Switzerland became the center of watchmaking from the 16th century onward, developing a system of specialized workshops that perfected reliable movements, jewelled bearings, and accurate regulation. Over time, Swiss makers excelled at chronographs and complications, creating watches that could be serviced and kept running for decades rather than treated as disposable objects.

“Swiss Made” is a legally protected label that indicates Swiss control over the movement, assembly, and final inspection, reinforcing a reputation for consistency and quality. Importantly, Swiss watches have always existed at many levels—from affordable tool watches using robust movements like Landeron or ETA, to high horology from brands such as Patek Philippe—so the reputation is not limited to luxury alone.

🕰️ Brand & History

Tissot is one of the most respected “gateway” brands in the Swiss watch industry. Founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile in Le Locle, Switzerland, it has a reputation for offering genuine Swiss horology at a price point that is accessible to enthusiasts.

1. Historical Significance

• The Omega Connection: In 1930, Tissot and Omega merged to form SSIH (Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère). For decades, they were “sister brands,” often sharing technology and even distributing watches under a joint Tissot-Omega logo in certain markets.

• Innovators in Materials: Tissot has always been experimental. They produced the world’s first anti-magnetic watch in 1930, the first plastic watch (the Astrolon) in 1971, the RockWatch (made of Alpine granite) in 1985, and even a WoodWatch.

• Sporting Heritage: They have been the official timekeeper for high-profile events like MotoGP, the NBA, and the Tour de France, cementing their image as a durable, precision-oriented brand.

2. Movement Evolution

• The Pre-Quartz Era: Before the “Quartz Crisis,” Tissot designed and manufactured its own mechanical movements. From 1930 Tissot and Omega were sister companies inside SSIH and shared movement architecture, which is why the vintage Tissot calibers of this generation are closely related to their Omega counterparts — a large part of why collectors seek them out.

• The Swatch Group & ETA: Today, Tissot is a key pillar of the Swatch Group (alongside Omega, Longines, and Hamilton). They now primarily use ETA movements, which are reliable and easy to service. Their modern flagship is the Powermatic 80, which offers an impressive 80-hour power reserve.

3. Market Positioning (2026 Context)

• The “Affordable Swiss” King: In the current market, Tissot is positioned as the leader of the “entry-level luxury” segment (typically $300–$1,000).

• The PRX Phenomenon: Recently, Tissot saw a massive surge in global popularity due to the PRX collection. It revived their 1978 integrated-bracelet design, making 1970s-style “TV-screen” and “integrated” cases highly desirable again. This trend has directly increased the value of vintage 1970s Tissots like this one.

Why Collectors Buy Vintage Tissot

“Tissot offers 80% of the Omega experience for 20% of the price.”

Collectors love vintage Tissot because the build quality—especially from the 1950s through the 1970s—is often indistinguishable from higher-end Swiss brands of the same era. They are seen as “smart buys” that hold their value well because the brand name remains globally recognized and prestigious.