This Underrated Diver Chronograph Is Now One of the Best Affordable Daily Watches

Anyone paying attention to the watch industry over the past few years knows that case sizes are shrinking.

Maybe it is due to the cyclical nature of fashion, increased modesty in the marketplace, the influence of mid-century vintage design or — most likely — all the above.

Tissot

Some brands are making incremental changes, decreasing case widths by a couple of millimeters, while others, like Tissot, are shrinking watches like a wool sweater washed in hot water.

A perfect example is the new Seastar 1000 Quartz Chronograph, which has downsized from 45.5mm to 38mm, creating a completely different look for the time-tested dive watch.

Tissot

The newest addition to the Seastar line, comprising Tissot’s top entry-level dive watches, provides a more wearable feel than its wrist-eating predecessor. This 38mm version is now fit for practical everyday wear.

Less is more

The old Seastar 1000 Chronograph was a respectable sports watch with a reliable movement and ample water resistance, but it was just too big for most men.

Tissot

When it comes to actual diving, especially with SCUBA gear, a 45mm dial is useful for legibility. However, an entry-level dive watch like the Seastar is rarely used for professional-grade diving.

Realistically, watches from the Seastar line are best suited for everyday wear, bolstered with strong durability and water resistance. Whether in the office or on vacation, they are the kinds of watches you never have to take off your wrist.

Tissot

The line has always had a classic diver look with a 60-minute unidirectional bezel, geometric applied indices and contrasting hands, all of which remain on the new 38mm design.

Reducing the case size required smaller numerals and dashes on the outer seconds track and sub-dial counters, which created a look closer to mid-century vintage dive watches.

The life aquatic

Tissot is renowned as one of the best affordable watch brands, but it doesn’t get enough credit when it comes to divers. The new 38mm Seastar 1000 Quartz Chronograph is on par with affordable aquatic heavy hitters like Seiko and Citizen.

It’s remarkable to get 300m water resistance in a steel case, secured with screw-down pushers and crown, for under $600, and the 12-hour chronograph is the icing on the cake.

Tissot

The sub-dial at ten o’clock is a 30-minute counter, and the sub-dial at two o’clock is a 12-hour counter. Running seconds are displayed at six o’clock and there is a date window at four o’clock.

The hour hand, minute hand and applied hour markers are coated with Super-LumiNova.

Tissot emphasized variety with the color selections for the six-piece collection launch.

Tissot

With a silicone strap, there is an all white dial and bezel, a gilded case with turquoise bezel and radial dial, and an all black dial, bezel and case.

There is also a three-link steel bracelet that comes in the same all-black design, as well as a black bezel and sunburst gray dial and a two-tone version with a black bezel and sunburst gray dial.

All six colors, especially the black and steel option, make excellent daily watches or vacation beaters. For under $600, they offer all the water resistance and elapsed time tracking you will ever need.

Availability and pricing

The Tissot Seastar 1000 Quartz Chronograph 38mm is available now from Tissot for $550 with a silicone bracelet and $575 with a steel bracelet.

The one exception is the carnation gold-coated steel case with the turquoise detailing, which costs $595.

Tissot

Tissot Seastar 1000 Quartz Chronograph

Specs

Case Size	38mm
Movement	Quartz chronograph
Water Resistance	300m

• $575 at Tissot

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