All watch collectors have a “type” of watch they gravitate towards. I certainly do: I like my sport watches simple. I like my dress watches classically designed and small.   I tend to stick to a type of watch, as can be seen from the choice of watches that have been reviewed. 

However, I took a chance with this Tissot Couturier.  This watch, by almost any metric, is one that’s so different that I thought I would likely never own it.  Honestly, if Tissot didn’t produce this, I wouldn’t have pulled the trigger. The endorsement by one of the most reputable brands around convinced me.  As is common in many things in life, going out on a limb paid off.  The Couturier has surpassed my expectations.

The Watch

• Case Size: 39mm

• Case Thickness: 13mm

• Movement: ETA 2825-2

• Lug Width: 22mm

• Power Reserve: 42 Hours

• Complications: Date

You don’t have to look deep into this watch to identify the unique aspects of it.  Immediately, you can see the hour and second dials, standing independent of each other.  This creates a lot of empty space, filled with minimal text and a date complication.  As a result, the dial is extremely clean and minimal.  It includes no numbered indices, no minute hash marks, and very limited text.  This is certainly a different kind of minimalism than we see in most watches. 

Details

One of the great things I’m enjoying about this watch is the attention to detail displayed in the hour indices.  They are curved, applied indices that shine differently, depending how light hits them.  Between each one, the dial completes the circular complication with an applied circumference that appears paper-like.  This adds a subtle contrast to the also white dial that goes a very long way.  The end result is a circumference of indices and markers that flow well together, even though they are different colors and different materials. 

The 39mm diameter is perfect for this watch, as a bigger size would looks enormous with so much white space on the dial.  While I wish the lugs were toned down to 20mm, they are short, and they don’t add a lot to the presence of the piece.  This wears like a truly sub 40mm watch.

I rarely like to mention price, as that often seems to be a relative factor to collectors.  However, this watch offers some great value.  A $300 ETA powered watch is becoming harder and harder to find. Design and quality aside, the workhorse movement alone makes this a competitive watch in the value department.

The bracelet is thick, sturdy, and in my opinion, does not go well with this watch.  The quality of it seems fine, but the style does not vibe well with this dial.  I immediately threw it on a leather strap, and the difference was enormous.  This can pass as a dress watch, with it’s size and minimalist design.

I am extremely pleased I gave this watch a chance.  Sometimes, it pays off to take a risk.  Tissot has created a truly unique watch and design.  They have veered far from the norm, but somehow managed to execute very well.  If you’re looking for something that looks like a million bucks while carrying a unique aspect to it, this may be the watch to consider.

Below is an unboxing video that shows what you get when you buy this piece, including wristshots and size comparisons.