The dial is what matters. Following the Telemeter 1938, these two Tissot Heritage 1938 Chronometer sticks the same codes with Arabic numerals and thin glaive hands. Nice elements of design are to be seen all around, such as the historic Tissot logo and the railroad minute track on the periphery. I’m not so sure about the “chronometre” mention but it somehow had to be there. It could maybe have been smaller… Two versions of the Heritage 1938 Chronometer are released, one with a cool matte salmon dial with black numerals and hands, the other with a patina-like black dial with faux-aged lume and gold-coloured hands and logos.

While sharing most of the design elements of the two aforementioned models, the Heritage Small Second 1938 offers a slightly more modern take on the concept, as well as a more striking, more contrasted design. The case is also measuring 39mm in diameter, with the same slim polished bezel and brushed lugs, but comes thinner at 9.8mm. It also retains a domed sapphire crystal audemars piguet replica, a see-through back, a rounded crown and a decent 50m water-resistance.

What changes is the display, which here integrates two additional functions; a small seconds at 6 o’clock and a date window at 3 o’clock. In order to differentiate it from the two classic models above, this small second version comes with a grained dark grey dial full of contrasting elements; the sub-counter, the date disc and the railroad minute track are silver-coloured while the hands and the numerals are gold-toned (the latter being embossed in positive relief, just like the logo). Adding to the more striking look is a steel Milanese mesh bracelet, with an additional grey leather strap also included in the box, and both feature quick-release spring bars.

If the highly successful PRX collection is in everybody’s minds these days, Tissot has much more to offer than these (objectively cool) 1970s-inspired watches with integrated design. Looking back at the 2022 collection, the Le Locle-based brand surprised us with a highly attractive chronograph inspired by the past, the Tissot Telemeter 1938. With its vintage design, cool dial with multiple scales, and handsome combinations of colours (the black-gilt edition is truly special), it made quite a sensation. Now, the brand adds 3 new models in what now becomes a collection, with the Tissot Heritage 1938 Chronometer watches, and the Tissot Heritage Small Seconds 1938. And yes, they are lovely little watches too!

The Tissot Heritage 1938 was originally designed as a multi-scale chronograph watch paying tribute to 1930s sports watches made by the Le Locle-based brand. In fact, it was modelled after a watch designed for its first engagement as an official timekeeper in 1938 where they timed a series of Ski races in Villar, near the company’s home town in the Jura mountains. A handsome watch with 2 dial options (silver or black), it was meant to be a modern cheap rolex replica with retro design, not a pure re-edition of the past. As such, it is a rather large timepiece (42mm), with an upgraded automatic 7750 inside. This year, there are 3 new models to discover. Simpler, more accessible, more compact too… and very attractive indeed.

First is a couple of time-only watches that are powered by automatic movements… But not only we’re, for once, not talking about a Powermatic engine, but they are also focussed on precision. These two models come in a fairly compact case made of brushed and polished stainless steel, with a versatile 39mm diameter and a reasonable height of 11mm. The overall shape is typical of classic watches of the pre-WWII era, with a slight Calatrava inspiration. The slim polished bezel frames a modern domed sapphire crystal and the back also comes with a see-through crystal. Water-resistance is decent, rated at 50m. A small but nice onion crown sits at 3 o’clock. Simple, elegant-ish and just about right.