What The World Needs Now Is More Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Variations
Call me old-fashioned, sentimental, or a man of great musical taste. In any case, I think the 1965 song “What the World Needs Now Is Love” written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach is a true gem. Some might consider the song a bit preachy, but people need to be preached to occasionally. Every time Tissot preaches about the magnificence of the PRX, it doesn’t give unwanted moral advice on watches; on the contrary, the brand seems to be preaching to the choir. Since the model’s debut, it has stormed to the top, and now the collection consists of no fewer than 58 references. That includes two Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 “Chameleon” models with gradient dials.
Sometimes, you don’t know what you need — a PRX with a dial that changes color vertically, for instance. Tissot knew you needed that, though, so the brand recently released the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 “Black Chameleon” (T137.407.11.051.01) and “Ice Blue Chameleon” (T137.407.11.351.01). The watches are like any other 40mm steel PRX housing an automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve and a patented Nivachron balance spring. Even the price of €775 is the same as a “standard” reference with a black dial. The color-changing dial, however, has an intriguing look and a slightly hypnotizing effect that slowly but surely goes to work on your “watch brain.”
Presenting two Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 models with chameleonic qualities
When I knew I was going to try on the Black Chameleon and Ice Blue Chameleon at Fratello HQ, I made sure I was wearing my PRX Powermatic 80 Ice Blue. I did that as a sort of precaution. From the moment the PRX burst on the scene, I had a soft spot for it. When the version with the pale blue dial appeared, I knew I just had to have it. I love how the 138g watch feels on the wrist, its look, its vibe, and its value for money. There’s just not a lot wrong with the watch. And what is “wrong” is easily forgiven, at least by me. Anyway, I wore my PRX because I didn’t want the two Chameleons to put a spell on me. Did my strategy work?
Whether dusk or dawn, the PRX has you covered
I had seen the two Chameleon versions of the PRX Powermatic 80 before. In the spring of this year, I had the chance to handle the two colorful critters briefly, and they both made quite an impression. Months later, after the worldwide release, the enigmatic duo made their way to Fratello HQ. Would either of the two put my Ice Blue version in the shadows? Or worse, would one of them hypnotize me and make me feel I must have it?
Before answering those questions, I must say that wearing a watch with a gimmicky dial often offers limited fun. I quickly get tired of cartoon characters, overly thematic designs, and the like. I feared the same would happen with dials that change color from top to bottom. Just as one Tequila Sunrise is tasty, a second super-sweet cocktail is too much for the taste buds. Once on the wrist, though, neither PRX Chameleon model feels gimmicky. The gradient dials are quite refined, and the hints of purple at some angles are subtle.
I referred to the Tequila Sunrise cocktail, but Tissot didn’t find inspiration in alcohol. Instead, the two versions refer to dusk and dawn. In an ideal watch world, you would need both references. You’d start the day with the dawn-like Ice Blue Chameleon, and once the late afternoon rolls around, you’d change to the dusk-like Black Chameleon. This plan would cost you €1,550.
These PRX watches really are like chameleons!
A real chameleon’s party trick is not to stand out but to blend in. And that’s also what the two color-changing PRX references do. Yes, when you hold them and move them around, the blue shades change, and the purple hue comes and goes. These dials show a bit of flair but don’t go overboard with their color-changing qualities. And once on the wrist, the watches look even more toned down. Most of the time, the two new PRX Powermatic 80 variations behave like the other 40mm models with single-color dials and a square pattern in relief.
That makes the Black Chameleon and the Ice Blue Chameleon more versatile and easy to wear than I expected. My favorite is the dawn-mimicking Ice Blue Chameleon because the color shift from light to dark feels more natural. But when putting my Ice Blue model next to the Ice Blue Chameleon, I also knew that I was “safe.” The new variation is too close to the one I have to put a buying spell on me. But if you have a black- or green-dial PRX, either of these two Chameleon models could be a welcome variation on a beloved theme.
More Chameleons to come
Most watch brands are unafraid to milk a successful concept, and Tissot is no exception. In just three years, the brand has put 58 PRX references in its catalog. I think it’s a safe bet when I say these Chameleon versions of the PRX Powermatic 80 are the first two of many to come. More than 150 chameleon species exist in the wild, and a couple more watch versions won’t endanger them at all. The PRX has enriched the world of watches. It’s a big success, and watch fans of all kinds embrace the ’70s-inspired timepiece.
Hal David wrote, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love / No, not just for some but for everyone.” Likewise, the watch world needs more PRX Chameleon watches, not just for some but for everyone. That includes me because, although I could resist the first two color-changing versions, the next Chameleon might very well come out in some sweet colors I need.
