Hot Take: The “Winter Cool” Tissot PR516 Automatic (Valjoux) Chronograph

Tissot is expanding its PR516 collection with new chronograph models. Two quartz versions in PVD rose gold and bicolor and one stainless steel model with an automatic chronograph movement will join the lineup. The latter is based on a Valjoux A05 movement, an update of the famous Valjoux 7753. It’s this full-steel model with automatic movement that caught our attention!

Tissot PR516 Automatic Chronograph

Truth be told, I wasn’t overly impressed by the three-hand PR516. That wasn’t because I didn’t like the design or didn’t appreciate the fact James Bond wore one in Live and Let Die but because of the fixed 60-minute bezel. I think it’s a missed opportunity, and it would have received more kudos from our audience if it had a rotating bezel. In its current form, it looks like something it’s not, like a 4×4 car that can’t drive through the mud. It’s for looks only.

The PR516 chronographs are a different story, though! The hand-wound PR516 was even one of my favorite picks for (new) watches under €2,500. Thomas gave you a full rundown of this watch and the earlier quartz versions of the PR516 chronograph here. Today, Tissot introduces a self-winding model with a fresh white dial, blue accents, and a Jubilee-style bracelet similar to the ones used on the three-hand PR516 references. Let’s have a closer look at this new PR516 Automatic Chronograph.

Caliber A05

Valjoux A05

But before we do so, let’s stop at the movement Tissot used for this new PR516 Automatic Chronograph for a second. This movement is a modern descendant of the classic Valjoux 7753. It has the same chronograph layout, meaning the sub-dials are at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. This layout is preferable to the well-known 7750, which has sub-dials at 12, 6, and 9 o’clock and a day and date at 3 o’clock. Although I greatly respect the Valjoux 7750 movement (and Lemania 5100, for that matter), nothing beats a chronograph with the sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock for the best symmetry.

The Valjoux A05 version Tissot uses for this new PR516 is caliber A05.231, which features a power reserve of 68 hours and no date function. Tissot’s PR516 Automatic Chronograph has a transparent case back, so the owner can enjoy looking at the mechanical heart of his or her PR516. The plates and bridges show perlage decoration, and the vertically and radially brushed rotor bears the Tissot signature.

The new Tissot PR516 Automatic Chronograph

This 41mm chronograph is another variation for the PR516 collection. Now, though, it comes with a self-winding movement. I liked the classic style of the hand-wound model introduced 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 experiencing now. The white dial has blue rims around the sub-dials and a blue bezel protected by glass. The outer track for the chronograph seconds hand is also in 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 vibes as the other mechanical chronograph, but that’s also something I like about it.

Tissot’s new PR516 Automatic Chronograph is a nice-looking sports watch. It is water resistant to 100 meters and has a transparent case back, a comfy-looking bracelet, and a crisp white dial with blue accents. The double-scale tachymeter/pulsometer bezel makes it interesting too!

This Tissot PR516 Automatic Chronograph, reference T149.462.11.011.00, retails for €2,145 (including VAT). When the watch becomes available, we will devote a hands-on article to it.

Let us know what you think of it in the comments below.