Zach Brass
While live-action movies and series have a certain amount of constraints, the world of anime is free. If you can dream it and make it happen, it becomes a reality. I often think that most movies and TV shows are predictable, but anime is imaginative, which I really appreciate because you often can’t predict what’s going to happen next. And it’s this imagination and world-building that has created such a passionate fanbase for manga and anime series. The new Tissot PRX 40mm UFO Robo Grendizer may seem like an unexpected pairing, but it’s a better fit than you’d expect and will attract a whole new fanbase to one of the most powerful entry-level mechanical watches in the game.
The common thread between PRX and Grendizer is that they both originated in the 1970s, making this collaboration timely as the anime was recently rebooted with a new series called Grendizer U. I’m not too familiar with the universe, but it’s interesting to note that the original Grendizer anime had mixed reviews in Japan, but was a bigger success in Europe and the Middle East. The French dub was the first anime series to air in France, and its theme song achieved platinum status in the region. Perhaps that’s why Grendizer caught the attention of the Swiss watchmaker. Anime can sometimes be unfairly interpreted as childish, so be careful with these mashups. You don’t want to make a high-quality Swiss watch look like a toy.
Incident
From the outside, the PRX Grendizer Special Edition is pretty much the same as the one we already know and love. Mainly made of brushed stainless steel, the PRX measures 40mm in diameter, 10.9mm thick, 44.9mm lug-to-lug and houses a Powermatic 80 automatic movement under a mineral crystal. The flare secured by the first few links gives this design an effective size of 51mm lug-to-lug, but thanks to the camber of the bracelet, it should fit as desired even on average or below-average wrists. After all, the novelty of this release is the special UFO Grendizer blue dial, which sits under a sapphire crystal on the front.
Dial
The vibrant sunburst blue dial is certainly a common feature, but what makes this watch stand out is the incorporation of a bust of UFO Robot Grendizer. This isn’t just printed on the dial; it’s a 2D illustration, but it’s actually engraved into the dial, and the depth of it comes from the Super-LumiNova filling. So the hands, indexes, and Grendizer’s bust are all luminous, although the hands and indexes appear to glow a little more intensely.
I think it was a very clever move by Tissot to move the brand logo to the 6 o’clock position, like Superman’s distinctive S, almost as if it were the central emblem of the bust. The dial has a few Easter eggs, such as a harken-style seconds hand modeled after the weapon used in the anime, and the name of the anime engraved in Japanese on the inner bezel at 12 o’clock. A unique feature that purists will love, unrelated to the anime, is that this is the first PRX Powermatic 40mm model to omit the date from the dial. That said, it’s not necessarily omitted from the movement itself, and while you’ll notice the ghost position when manipulating the crown, it’s not a big deal.
Bracelets and straps
Like the case, the Tissot PRX 40mm UFO Robot Grendizer uses the familiar one-piece stainless steel bracelet with “Y” or “field goal post” shaped links that are all brushed. While no micro-adjustment is offered, the links are somewhat compact and numerous, so you should be able to find the fit you want, especially with the pair of half links that are included. I personally like how the butterfly-style clasp keeps the watch centered on my wrist when sized correctly, and the quick-release system makes it easy to switch between the bracelet and Tissot’s rubber and leather straps.
motion
Beneath the mineral crystal, which while not sapphire, is virtually scratch-resistant while wearing, is the familiar Powermatic 80 automatic movement based on the ETA C07.11, with an 80-hour power reserve. The finish isn’t the most glamorous, but the rotor is specially engraved with a motif of UFO robot Grendizer. Keep in mind, this is an $825 watch with 10 hours more power reserve than a watch ten times the price of the Crown.
Verdict
The PRX UFO Robot Grendizer Special Edition, as the name suggests, also features special packaging. The box is modeled after Grendizer’s UFO, the Spazer, and the box sleeve features an original illustration by Go Nagai. For those who don’t know, Nagai is known as the man who created the hugely popular super robot genre. Looking at this watch, I think Tissot has struck a great balance between maintaining what makes PRX so beloved by fans already, while also tastefully incorporating Grendizer in a way that will excite space enthusiasts, and not exclude those who are less familiar with space from the party.
Tissot PRX 40mm UFO Robot Grendizer Price and Availability
The Tissot PRX 40mm UFO Robot Grendizer is available now as a special edition. Price: USD 825, AU$1,335
Brand Tissot Model PRX 40mm UFO Robot Grendizer Special Edition Reference T137.407.11.041.02 Case Dimensions 40mm (D) x 10.9mm (T) x 44.9mm (LTL), 51mm (ELTL) Case Material Stainless Steel Water Resistance 100 meters Crystal Sapphire crystal front, mineral crystal back Dial Blue, Superluminova Grendizer bust Strap & Bracelet Steel bracelet, butterfly clasp, interchangeable Movement Powermatic 80, based on ETA C07.11, automatic Power Reserve 80 hours Functions Hours, minutes, seconds Availability Current Price US$825
1,335 Australian dollars
