Tissot Visodate Heritage Review

Tissot is a Favorite of Mine, and the Visodate Heritage is a Good Example Why

Thanks to a friend of mine being a Tissot retailer, I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on a few Tissot’s to review (like the Squelette I spent 1,500 words lusting over).

The Visodate Heritage is another example from Tissot that I appreciate. Blending many classical styling cues – the logo, day/date window, and sparse dial, for starters – and modern Swiss watchmaking, the Visodate Heritage automatic is an excellent watch that offers good value at its $650 MSRP.

View Price on Amazon.

Tissot Visodate Heritage Automatic Technical Specifications

• Model Number: T019.430.16.031.01
• MSRP: $650
• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Alternate Models: Alternate color schemes
• Movement: Automatic, ETA 2836-2
• Complications: Day and date display
• Power Reserve: Estimated 40 hours
• Water Resistance:  30m/99ft
• Crystal Material: Sapphire

The Modern Visodate Heritage is a Fantastic Looking Watch

Viewed from above, the Visodate Heritage presents a timeless design. The gunmetal-grey dauphine hands and hour markers match the classic Tissot logo, popping off the smooth silky-grey face.

The sharply-angled domed crystal almost looks like it’s framing the dial, visually elevating the hands and hour markers.

While different in many ways from the original 1957 Visodate, it evokes its predecessors style without taking away from its own.

Compared to the 1957 version, the hour markers on the modern version are more trapezoidal. Where the hands on the classic Visodate pass over the hour markers, the hands in the modern version appear to just touch their tips. The new version also comes with a day display (the original only had the date display).

This version (model: T019.430.16.031.01) is done entirely in monochrome. In fact, the only place to find color that isn’t brown is under the rear exhibition crystal, where the finely-grooved and decorated golden-yellow rotor swings freely. The classic Tissot logo is engraved on the rotor, along with “25 Jewels Swiss Made”.

Where the caseback is engraved, the crown is embossed with the Tissot “T”; it’s edge is knurled, matching the dial’s sharp style.

Tissot has fitted the Visodate Heritage with a deployment clasp – engraved, of course – and it’s a fine addition to the watch. It completes the upscale package, preserves the crocodile-grain brown leather strap, and looks excellent.

Tissot Delivers its Typical Quality of Build

I’ve reviewed a few Tissot’s, and I’ve never felt that the quality was lacking. Tissot’s in general are built well, and the Visodate Heritage is as well.

Crystal, Case, & Dial

The sapphire crystal is domed and is a perfect compliment to the classic looks of the dial. It also appears to have an anti-reflective coating, as there are minimal reflections regardless of the viewing angle.

The stainless steel case and long slimming lugs are polished to a shine. It looks great and seems resilient enough. With proper care, the case should look great for quite a long time.

Strap & Clasp

This version of the Visodate Heritage has a brown crocodile-grain leather strap. Other versions get a black crocodile-grain leather strap; all come fitted with a deployment clasp.

The strap was a little stiff for the first few hours I wore it, but once I had the strap shaped and preserved via the deployment clasp, it became quite comfortable to wear.

The deployment clasp is sturdy, also made of stainless steel. It feels strong and did not come undone unexpectedly.

The ETA 2836-2 Automatic Movement

Tissot, being part of the Swatch group, uses ETA movements in many of its watches. The ETA 2836-2 is an excellent and reliable movement, offering a 40 hour power reserve and day/date display. It hacks and can be manually wound.

Testing via toolwatch.io, I found my Visodate to be about 9 seconds fast over the course of a week.

How to Set the Visodate Heritage

• To set the time, pull the crown to position 3 and turn. Note that the day/date display will roll over when you pass midnight.
• To set the day and date, pull the crown to position 2 and turn. Clockwise sets the date, counter-clockwise sets the day.

There’s Lots of Value in This Tissot

Its MSRP is $650, but it’s easy to find for around $425 on Amazon (and others). For four-hundred dollars you’re getting a quality movement, with great fit and finish, using quality materials. It’s a good combination and an excellent introduction to Swiss watchmaking.

I think it’s a good looking watch, too. It looks luxurious without being pretentious; inviting, but not obnoxious. It fits under a shirt cuff, and it will never go out of style. It’s hard to find fault in the modern Visodate Heritage.

Summary

Reviewed By

Cameron Martel

Review Date

2016-05-05

Reviewed Item

Tissot Visodate Heritage

Rating

4