Tissot has announced the launch of a new line-up of five Seastar 40mm models, now equipped with the Powermatic 80 movement. Check out our hands-on review of the new timepiece in this episode of Watch Talk.
BIRTH OF THE SEASTAR
The 20th century was marked by a boom in ocean exploration, sparking a wide range of experiments on water-resistant timepieces. Tissot launched its first water-resistant models in the 1930s, namely Camping (1938) and Aquasport (1939). Apart from being anti-magnetic, they were also shockproof, dust-tight, equipped with a stainless-steel case. Then in the 1940s, Tissot released a new Five Star series that also benefitted from these innovations. A decade later in 1952, when an improved model of hermetically sealed water-proof watch was created, Tissot christened it “Sea Star”, which has since been renamed “Seastar” and become an icon of the brand.
EVOLUTION OF THE SEASTAR
The Seastar collection was launched to great success, with both men and women models that were great for sport enthusiasts and divers. In keeping with the mid-century trend, the design of the watch was at first simple and elegant, Notable models include, the Seastar T12 (1956), which guaranteed a depth of up to 120 metres; the Seaster Seven (1963), designed with a thinner case due to a new monocoque system; and the Seastar Quartz (1978). Since the start of the 21st century, the Seastar has evolved and turned into a diving-style watch with many exciting variations.
SEASTAR ADVENTURES
In 1956, to accompany the release of world-renowned oceanographer Commander Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s film, The Silent World, the Seastar T12 was chosen. Since 1957, other Seastar T12 models would continue to be worn by mountaineers climbing the Andes Cordilleras or Himalayan mountains, testing its resistance in extreme conditions. Having explored the depths of the ocean, the Seastar T12 ascended to the top of the world in 1963.
“The summit of Everest was reached on May 1, 1963 at one o’clock in the afternoon, despite intense cold and violent winds. The hour of victory was recorded by the Tissot T12 worn by Nawang Gombu.”—Himalayan Mountaineering Institute at Darjeeling.
SEASTAR 1000 POWERMATIC 80
In 2024, the Seastar has undergone a subtle transformation featuring a new 40mm case incorporating a notch along its case edges, resulting in a more compact and sophisticated appearance, perfect for those in search of a sporty yet elegant timepiece. Offering water resistance of up to 300m/1,000ft, the new design boasts improved visibility in dim conditions thanks to the Super-LumiNova coated hands and hour markers.
Made up of five models, the new collection features a beautiful, vertically brushed fume dial, enhancing the overall gradient effect and texture. Each model is equipped with a uni-directional steel bezel with a mineral glass ring. Two models share the same stainless-steel case and bracelet design, distinguished only by their dial colours; one featuring a striking turquoise dial—our favourite—while the other a grey dial. Another bi-coloured model stands out in a yellow gold-PVD bezel on a black ring, complemented by a matching bi-coloured bracelet combining gold-PVD and stainless steel.
Lastly, two models with a rather rare appearance for the Seastar collection, are characterised by their full black-PVD stainless-steel case. One comes in a black tropic strap with a blue brushed dial, while the other with a grey brushed dial sporting a metallic all-black bracelet.
Driven by the Powermatic 80 movement, the collection now boasts a whopping 80 hours of power reserve in a more contemporary, medium-sized case, offering uninterrupted self-winding performance of up to three days. Whether you’re embarking on ocean adventures, or attending business meetings, the new Seastar collection is designed to enhance your ensemble for any occasion with sophisticated style and authentic Swiss-made quality.
