Russell Sheldrake
Tissot Rockwatch is back! Forty years after this cult classic was first released, it has returned with its solid granite dial and case, but only a very limited number of 999. Instead of choosing to replicate the original accurately, this new rock watch paves its own path while still remaining true to the foundations of this line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ponpqm0r0
Those who remember rock watch and its origins in the 1980s not only remember how important the genre’s curvature was, but how diverse it has emerged from this seemingly simple concept. Rocks are everywhere and are as common as dirt. So, you don’t think it’s that big of a deal to watch them, but the way Tissot did it showed how much creativity and fun you get when playing with the rocks.
case
This new edition of Rock Watch will modernize the design and firmly introduce this stone age in 2025. The original model was offered in case sizes of 23mm, 30mm and 33mm, but here we have it at 38mm, so we don’t just wear it like a modern watch, but we also get more rocks for the money. And this isn’t just the old stone that Tissot decided to use here. It is carved from Jungfrau Mountain, one of the Swiss Alps’ most iconic summits, also known as the “pinner of Europe.”
One of the things Mount John Frau famous for is the high-altitude railway, and to build this sky-high truck, the tunnels must be cut from solid rock, and it is from these cuttings that new rock watches were created. This is a great, sustainable move, meaning that there was no need to extract more stones for this limited ride.
Each of these watches has their own unique pattern due to the fact that they are made from this natural material. This is what attracted collectors to the original model and is what is happening in the secondary market to this day. The stones used in this new release have a slightly darker tone than the first series, but they have a white quartz specification on grey granite, offering each one of them its unique patterns.
Strap/Case Back
What’s carried over from the piece that was now 40 years ago is the way the straps stick to these watches. The holes that drill holes in the spring bar not only ruin the aesthetics of this smooth, pebbles-like clock, but are also incredibly unrealistic. Instead, a metal plate is attached to the back, which not only protects and surrounds movement, but also acts as a lug to secure the straps to the case. This means that the watch is very small and can be worn thanks to the barely understandable lug-to-lug measurements. This also means that the black leather strap does not connect directly to the watch case. In other words, it is almost floating on your wrist, regardless of the strap itself.
Dial
The caseback and lug exchange remained the same, but this is not something that can be said for the hands set for this new release. Originally, the hands were colored red and yellow as references to markers used on hiking trails in the Swiss Alps. It was very easy to read on the dial, but now I have a subtle set of grey nickel-plated hands that are visible, rather than distracting from the overall design. Also, there are no seconds to do. This reduction helps keep the design clean and makes it feel as if it can’t be covered as much as possible with the natural beauty of the stone.
The way cases and dials are built remains the same, keeping many of the purists happy. The dial and case, crushed from one stone, is a single solid unit with space for hands and movement on each side. This makes them incredibly strong, but also makes them quite unique in the world of watches. We are used to the idea of an integrated bracelet, but while the integrated dial is rather unconventional, we find it incredibly fitting for a watch engraved straight from the Swiss Alps.
verdict
One of the key elements about this watch is key to understanding its importance and the importance of this re-release, and knowing what it means to Tissau. Before the release, Tissot was struggling as a company. The quartz crisis had a devastating effect on the traditional production of the brand, a once proud athletic maker, and while the Swatch stable was a huge success with its first release, Tissot needed its own pickup. After investing in millions of Swiss francs, Tissot Rockwatch returned the brand to America, quickly succeeding, saving this proud company and helping the parent organization that quickly became the Swatch group.
This watch is about refinement of what nature has created for thousands of years. The smooth, pebbly-like case feels perfect and there is no barrier between you and the rock, so you won’t mistake this for a veneer or faux texture. From one of the highest points in Europe, you get a real piece of granite on your wrist. And while this new limited edition is perfect to watch, it asks for questions.
Tissot Rockwatch Pricing and Availability
The new Tissot Rockwatch is limited to 999 individually numbered pieces and is available at selected Tissot dealers. Price: £995
Brand Tissot Model Rockwatch Case Dimensions 38mm (D) Case Material Jungfrau Granite Water Resistance Not Described Crystal (S)
