A touch of vintage and nostalgia: it’s no wonder that many popular watch models from the past are celebrating their comeback. Tissot, too, is reviving a model from the early 70s with the brightly coloured Sideral. Visually, the parallels to the original are unmistakable, but the Sideral also presents itself with some innovations – including three different colour versions. Let’s take a closer look.
A look at history: Apollo 11, StarTrek, Sideral.
Whether on the television screen or on the wrist, the end of the 1960s was largely defined by aerospace. As early as 1968, Tissot was working on the first prototypes for the Sideral collection, which appeared in the following year. The special feature: a watch case made of fibreglass and steel, the first of its kind. Fibreglass, which is insensitive to temperature fluctuations, was mainly used for the construction of aeroplanes, spacecrafts, and boats. But because of its light weight and resistance, Tissot recognised the potential of the material for watchmaking. The Sideral was thus inspired by space travel. This is reflected not only in the use of fibreglass, but also in the model’s name. It derives from the astronomical term ‘sidereal’, which refers to fixed stars.
Sideral S: Bright yellow takes off
Advertising campaigns (1970-1971) made the watch renowned. Thus, the popularity of the collection contributed to the expansion of the brand in the early 1970s. In 1971, Tissot launched the Sideral S, on which the design of this year’s Sideral is based. With its case and through the integration of the perforated rubber strap in a bright yellow, which was already popular with the original Sideral, the watch stood out visually despite its simple design. Colours also play a leading role with this year’s Sideral. In addition to the characteristic bright yellow, the model is also available in a red and blue version.
Carbon is the new fibreglass: The case of the Sideral
As mentioned, the first use of fibreglass for a watch case made the Sideral a novelty in the 1970s. Fast-forwarding to the here and now, Tissot has moved to a comparably innovative, but more contemporary, material for the Sideral’s case. Comparable to fibreglass in its light weight and durability, the Sideral is made of forged carbon and 316L stainless steel. Here, the carbon has a marbled look in black and grey for the yellow and red editions. The black carbon of the blue edition, however, is correspondingly infused with blue.
On the right side of the case is a fluted crown with an engraved T (for Tissot). For a clear view, the domed sapphire crystal on both sides of the case is scratch-resistant and non-reflective. Stainless steel, which bears circularly arranged engravings with the logo, model name, water resistance and material composition, frames the sapphire crystal on the caseback. In addition, the movement is visible through the caseback. The cushion-shaped case measures 41 x 46.5 mm and is water-resistant for up to 300 m.
Luminous all around: The dial of the Sideral
Like the original, the dial of the Tissot Sideral is framed by a 39 mm diameter black PVD bezel. It is unidirectional and features a diver and regatta scale. The black dial showcases a 60-minute scale with Arabic numerals and indices that match the colour of the model: yellow for the yellow edition, grey for the red and blue for the blue version. Directly below and as in the 1970s, all models have a regatta countdown display which is divided into green and red between 12 and 2 o’clock. This design again strongly references the Sideral S. However, the 60-min-scale on the new Sideral is coloured throughout according to the cast of the model, rather than just having individual colour accents on specific minutes like with the vintage model.
While the hour and minute hands are baton-shaped, the red second hand is T-shaped. Both the bezel, the hands, the hour and minute markers, and the Regatta countdown are coated with a different Super-LumiNova colour. Thus, they are easily recognisable – even in poor lighting conditions.
Powermatic 80: The movement of the Sideral
The Powermatic 80 automatic movement powers the Sideral. The precision of the movement is enhanced by the Nivachron balance spring, which is highly resistant to corrosion and not affected by magnetic fields. The power reserve is 80 hours. A new feature of this movement is the skeletonised Tissot rotor. It bears the engravings of the brand name and the year of foundation and can be admired by the wearer through the sapphire crystal caseback. In addition, 23 jewels adorn the movement.
Strap, price, and availability
A trademark of the 1970 Sideral collection was the perforated rubber strap with its innovative closing system. Thereby, the strap is adjusted and closed via the perforations. This year’s versions of the Sideral come with a colour-matching strap in yellow, red, or blue. Moreover, it is possible to swap between straps without tools and to purchase straps in other colours (green, orange, black). All editions are available for 1,075 euros.
In this tale of passion, shared values, and the pursuit of perfection, our greatest loves come together: coffee and watchmaking. Editor Catherine Bishop paid a visit to the Hublot and Nespresso manufactures in Switzerland to meet with the respective brands’ CEOs and uncover the story behind this year’s most unexpected collaboration: the Hublot Big Bang Unico Nespresso…
While the watch collector community continues to laud steel models, many Swiss manufactures are endeavoring to increase the appeal of precious metal models. Take Bulgari, for example, which recently opted for lightweight aluminium with the release of two limited-edition models created in collaboration with the computer game Gran Turismo. Que bella Macchina! Over the past two…
With the Panerai Luminor Due Luna, the Italians are presenting a moon phase display for the first time in the Luminor Due collection. Initially, four variants will be released: PAM01179, PAM01180, PAM01181 and PAM01301. In addition to three steel cases, there is also a model made of the in-house Goldtech. The four newcomers present the…
When it comes to bold and extravagant timepieces, LVMH brand Hublot is undeniably a master of its craft. Yet the maison is equally adept at embracing subtlety, dressing itself in the elegantly modern guise of the Classic Fusion collection. Back in 1980, the very first Hublot watch set the stage for what is now an…
Calendar complications are deeply rooted in Audemars Piguet watchmaking and began their uninterrupted history in the Vallé de Joux. There, Audemars Piguet's two founders developed Jules Louis Audemars' watch, which combined a perpetual calendar with a quarter-hour repeater, several times over. However, in the company's first two decades, calendar complications accounted for less than 10%…
Hublot has just released a new piece as part of its MP (manufacture piece) collection. This time, the new MP-10 Tourbillon Weight System is not only limited in its production numbers, but also in its presence of traditional timekeeping elements. Conspicuous by their absence are the hands, oscillating weight or even a dial. Case of…
Parmigiani Fleurier is introducing a new line of Tonda watches - the Tonda GT. With 'tonda' meaning round in Italian, the luxury sports watch line aims to be both classic in form and wearable in its design. With this in mind, the Tonda GT watches are available not only with an elegant integrated bracelet, but…
After much anticipation, OMEGA is releasing its new Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary edition. The dial features a blue and white colour scheme, while the unusual caseback takes the OMEGA Speedmaster to a whole new level of design, from the inclusion of a flying Snoopy to a realistic-looking disc of the Earth. The watch…
Swiss watchmaker Zenith is introducing a violet-coloured chronograph watch, the Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet. Even its movement has ultra-violet finishings – a watchmaking world first. Furthermore, the movement features a second independent escapement for the chronograph which beats at the highest frequency currently seen in chronographs. Firstly, the watch showcases a faceted micro-blasted titanium case,…
An interesting story lies behind the Tourbillon Souscription. Despite quietly retiring to the mountains in recent years, watchmaker Daniel Roth was once one of the best-known men of his craft. With names such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Audemars Piguet under his belt, Roth was an educator as well as an innovator. A major milestone for Roth…
Earlier this year, IWC Schaffhausen introduced a new version of the IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph. Now, the Swiss watchmaker is introducing three new variations into the collection. Dial options now include a choice of either a burgundy or green dial. Furthermore, the brand is introducing a Boutique Edition with a 18-carat 5N gold case with…
The Laurent Ferrier Square Micro-Rotor Retro combines the Art Deco aesthetic of the 1930s with an innovative micro-rotor movement. The bold shape of the case is combined with architectural dials to capture the spirit of the decade. The house presents two versions: the choice here is between a red gold or stainless steel case. Both…
IWC Schaffhausen has introduced two new Portugieser models equipped with complications. Firstly, the Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph combines a tourbillon with a retrograde date display and chronograph function. Secondly, the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon has both a tourbillon and a perpetual calendar. Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph The Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph comes in two 43.5…