Tissot Goes Retro with Two New Stand Alone Pocket Watches

Some would argue that smartphones are today's pocket timepieces, second only to our beloved wristwatches for timekeeping. Pocket watches, on the other hand, had long reigned supreme as time-telling devices, used for civilian, military, commercial, and scientific purposes. Thanks to their enduring appeal, some watchmakers continue to create pocket watches even today — Tissot, a Swiss watch brand founded in 1853, is among them. Known for its innovation and craftsmanship in the watchmaking industry, Tissot has just put forth two new Stand Alone pieces as part of its Pocket range. These include a palladium-plated brass case model (Ref. T866.410.99.013.00) and a 5-micron gold-plated brass case one (or a rose gold PVD model with a brass case) (Ref. T866.410.99.013.01).

Both have cut-out dials. On a cut-out dial, portions of the watch face are sliced away or removed to reveal what is beneath the surface. This may include viewing areas of the watch's movement (the inner mechanics that allow it to function), additional layers or materials used in its construction or other design elements intended to add visual mystery or complexity to the watch's appearance.

Cut-out dials are common in skeleton watches, revealing the majority of the face and the movement while highlighting the sophisticated workings. However, a cut-out dial may not always reveal the whole movement; it can merely disclose a few components, such as the balance wheel, gears, and escapement mechanism. The new Tissot Pocket Watch line is presented in a 49.6 mm circular case. The rose gold PVD model's case is made of brass, with 5 microns of gold plating; the piece features a polished rose gold PVD bezel, crown, two stands at 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock, and a dotted minute marking on the outside periphery of the dial.

The palladium-plated brass case model has a polished bezel, crown, two stands at 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock, and dotted minute markings on the outside periphery of the dial, all made of the same material as the case. Both variants include white cut-out dials, each of which has black Roman numerals and a black squared white-background black-numeral date display at 6 o'clock. Both are powered by the Swiss ETA Calibre F06.115 quartz movement with an EOL (battery life indication) and a Renata 371 battery. Turning each piece over reveals a closed caseback. Both models come with chains fashioned from their respective case materials.