Review: Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80

The Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 is one of the brand’s latest contributions to the dive watch market. It comes after a long history of Seastar models, which began as sophisticated dress watches and now spans a collection of innovative tool timepieces.

 

In this in-depth review, we delve into the details of the power enhanced diving watch. Read on to discover the key features, highlights and shortcomings of the Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80. 

A brief history of Tissot

Founded in 1853, in Le Locle, Switzerland, Tissot began as a mass-producer of pocket watches. But as markets and styles changed, so did the company’s strategy, which saw them fast become pioneers within the world of wristwatches.

 

The brand’s experience within dive watches began at the same time as some of the larger Swiss brands, ensuring it was always at the cutting edge of watch innovations. Other notable achievements include producing the first anti-magnetic timepiece, a necessity as electricity usage increased in the mid-19000s, and the first tactile watch, the T-Touch.

 

Tissot has also experimented with materials, offering watches made from wood, pearl and stone. And continues to develop its technologies, movements and designs in order to make high-quality Swiss watches accessible to the mass market. 

About the Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80

Released in 2021, the Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 combines the history and heritage of the Swiss brand with its pioneering spirit to create a performance-driven timepiece that holds up against some of the more higher-end dive watches available on the market.

 

The watch is the newest addition to the long-standing Seastar collection. Since its introduction to the Tissot catalogue in 1954, the Seastar has gone from a simple and elegant dress piece to a fully functional, diving tailored tool watch. Today’s collection features a range of sportier-looking models with features and complications geared towards active lifestyles and professional diving.

 

The new model is most like 2018’s Seastar Professional 1000, which can be credited for laying the foundation for this year’s more advanced offering. The Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 carries many of the same great features as its predecessor while showcasing the brand’s innovative spirit through developed technologies and streamlined designs. 

Case 

One of the notable differences between the Seastar 2000 and 1000 is in size. The newer model comes in a slightly larger 46mm case, compared to the 43mm case of the Seastar 1000 model. Although this is within the standard size range for professional dive watches, the slightly larger case may take some getting used to for those more familiar with the older model, or other smaller sports watches.

 

However, the larger case makes room for an impressive set of features and functions. After all, it has been built to withstand dives of up to 600m, which is double the 300m range of the Seastar 1000. But as a professional dive watch, this enhanced water resistance is expected, alongside the ability to withstand the maximum depth rating for up to two hours, and for its accuracy to not deviate more than 6 seconds per day. These are all specifications set out by the ISO 6425 international standard for diving watches, which the Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 complies with.

 

A prominent feature of the case, and an expected one for dive watches, is the helium escape valve. On the Tissot model, the valve is located at 9 o’clock. And its bezel is unidirectional to prevent accidental rotation which can run the risk of dangerous extended dive times.

 

The case itself is crafted from 316L stainless steel, offering a polished look to the overall watch design, as well as a corrosion-resistant and highly durable composition that can withstand daily wear and professional use. 

Dial 

The Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 is available with a range of dial colours, including grey, blue and turquoise. Each shows a gradient design that changes depending on the light and angle.

 

The dial features a unique wave detailing, reinforcing its watersport geared design and function. One thing that stands out is the date window placed at 6 o’clock, which some may find unnecessary on a professional-grade dive watch. However, the inclusion of this complication only highlights the diversity of the watch, enabling a seamless transition from the water to everyday life. 

Movement 

One of the key talking points of this particular Tissot model is the movement that powers it. As its name suggests, the watch boasts an impressive 80-hour power reserve, meaning the watch can last up to three days without wear and remain fully functional. Therefore, for wearers who like to swap their timepieces depending on the day, or those who simply want a tool for diving, the Seastar 2000 is a suitable companion.

 

The watch model also features the exclusive Nivachron balance spring, replacing the standard silicon hairspring. Made from a titanium-based alloy, the new spring is much more resistant to magnetic fields generated by our phones, computers and radios, for example, ensuring the watch remains precise. 

Price

The Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 is unrivalled when it comes to price. The model is priced at a much lower point than other Swiss-grade dive watches, particularly when its many features and impressive functionality are taken into consideration.

 

Essentially, despite its affordable price tag, the watch meets the high standards set by professional dive watches from the likes of Omega and TAG Heuer - whose models are also priced two or three times as much in most cases.

 

Of course, the biggest difference is in the name. If it’s a luxury watch with a desirable reputation that you are after, then the choice is obvious. But for a dive watch connoisseur or someone who is just starting off in the profession, the Tissot model offers everything you could possibly need, and more, without the hefty initial investment cost. 

Final thoughts 

Undeniably, there are few shortcomings of the Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80. The affordable Swiss brand has created an impeccable diving timepiece, by not only its own standards, but those of professional industry bodies and some of its more luxurious competitors, too.

 

The watch combines innovation, functionality and performance, and packages it within a stylishly designed and premium quality case. For anyone on the market for a professional-grade dive watch, the Tissot model should not be overlooked. 

 

Shop the advanced Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 online and in-store at Wallace Allan today.