“Winter Cool” Tissot PR516 Automatic Chronograph

Tissot expands its PR516 collection with a new chronograph model. Two quartz versions, in PVD rose gold and bicolor, and one stainless steel model with automatic chronograph movement join the range. The latter is based on the Valjoux A05 movement, an update of the famous Valjoux 7753. What caught our attention was this all-steel model with an automatic movement.

Tissot PR516 Automatic Chronograph

Truth be told, I wasn’t too impressed with the three-hand PR516. It wasn’t because I didn’t like the design or the fact that James Bond wore it in Let Me Die, it was because of the fixed 60-minute bezel. I think this was a missed opportunity and I think it would have gotten more praise from viewers if it had a rotating bezel. In its current form, it looks like something it’s not, like a four-wheel drive vehicle that can’t drive through mud. It’s just for looks.

However, the PR516 chronograph is a different story. The hand-wound PR516 was one of my favorite (new) watches under 2,500 euros. Thomas gave us a complete overview about this watch and previous watches Click here for the quartz version of the PR516 chronograph. Today, Tissot introduces an automatic model with a fresh white dial, blue accents, and a similar Jubilee-style bracelet. To the one used in the 3-hand PR516 reference. Let’s take a closer look at this new PR516 automatic chronograph.

Caliber A05

Valjoux A05

Before we get into that, let’s pause for a moment to learn about the movement that Tissot has used in this new PR516 automatic chronograph. This movement is a modern descendant of the classic Valjoux 7753. It features the same chronograph layout, with subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. This layout is preferred over the well-known 7750, which has subdials at 12, 6, and 9 o’clock, and day and date at 3 o’clock. I have great respect for the Valjoux 7750 movement (and the Lemania 5100 for that matter), but for the best symmetry nothing beats a chronograph with subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. There is no.

The Valjoux A05 version that Tissot uses for this new PR516 is caliber A05.231, which has a 68-hour power reserve and lacks a date display function. Tissot’s PR516 Automatic Chronograph has a transparent case back, allowing owners to enjoy a view into the mechanical heart of their PR516. The plates and bridges are decorated with perlage, and the vertically and radially brushed rotor is engraved with the Tissot signature.

New Tissot PR516 automatic chronograph

This 41mm chronograph is another variation of the PR516 collection. But now they have automatic movements. I liked the classic style of the hand-wound model released last year, with its black dial, black and white bezel, and orange hands. But this new blue and white Tissot PR516 Automatic Chronograph perfectly matches the snowy winter weather some of us are currently experiencing. The white dial has a blue rim around the subdials and a blue bezel protected by glass. The outer track of the chronograph seconds hand is also blue. The chronograph seconds hand also features the famous “T” counterweight. The Tissot PR516 automatic chronograph looks fresh. It doesn’t necessarily have the same vintage feel as other mechanical chronographs, but that’s what I like about it.

Tissot’s new PR516 automatic chronograph is a great-looking sports watch. It’s water resistant to 100 meters and features a transparent caseback, a comfortable-looking bracelet, and a crisp white dial with blue accents. The double scale tachymeter/pulsometer bezel is also interesting.

This Tissot PR516 automatic chronograph, reference T149.462.11.011.00, retails for 2,145 euros (incl. VAT). I will write a practical article on this watch once it becomes available.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Watch specifications