Tissot Heritage 1973 watch
Looking back in its history, Tissot found an inspiring story that it now brings to light in the Heritage 1973 watch. A modern take on a piece created in partnership with Loris Kessel, Formula 1 driver in the 1970s, the new watch is the result of a collaboration with Loris’s son, Ronnie Kessel. The son now runs Kessel Racing and is featured in Tissot’s marketing campaign for the watch.
Tissot Heritage 1973 watch recalls the brand’s racing involvement
The re-issue chronograph is 43mm piece with a silvery grey dial and matte black counters. Built in a limited edition of 1973 pieces, the watches are powered by ETA Valjoux 7753 self-winding movements. “ True to the spirit of the racing timepieces of the 1970s, the Tissot 1973 is a shaped chronograph is an oval cushion with domed lines. Its crystal is a glass box cut in sapphire. Its second and chronograph hands are orange. The hour and minute hands are rectangular batons ending in a white tip.”
The watch also features a tachymeter dial edge and a black calfskin strap that is a replica of one Tissot had invented and patented in the 1960s, with large perforations that recall the steering wheels of the time.
Tissot partners now with Kessel Classics.
Last year, Tissot became the official partner of Kessel Classics, which owns Tissot Formula 1, a black and white car that has excelled in competitions like the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. It brought the brand’s racing history full circle again.
“In 1974, Tissot joined forces with Porsche for the Le Mans 24 hour Gran Turismo race. In 1977, Tissot even gave a name to an F1 car. But, in particular, a very strong bond was forged between the brand and the Swiss pilot, Loris Kessel, who competed in Formula 1 in 1976 under the Tissot banner.”
The Tissot Heritage 1973 watch is created in a limited edition of 1,973 pieces. It retails for $2,100.
Tissot Heritage 1973 watch is powered by an ETA Valjoux movement
Technical Specifications of the Tissot Heritage 1973
Case:
- Steel case, burnished and satin-finish details
- 43 mm wide, 14.8 mm thick
- Glass box type sapphire crystal, mineral glass case back
- Water-resistance up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m)
- Engraved crown
- Mushroom-shaped, notched pushers
Movement and functions:
- Mechanical self-winding movement
- Valjoux 7753 calibre
- Engraved oscillating weight
- Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counters
- Setting of the date by corrector pusher at 10 o’clock with dedicated tool
- 28,800 vibrations per hour = 4Hz
- Power reserve of approximately 46 hours
Dial:
- Silvered, sandblasted dial with black counters
- Black dial edge with tachymetric scale
- Hour and minute baton hands coated with green-emitting Super-LumiNova
- Orange second and chronograph hands
- Hour indicators in green emitting Super-LumiNova
Strap:
- Black calfskin strap with black, racing-style overstitching
- Triple-blade folding steel clasp with safety pushers
