Tissot has a DNA that is built around its passion for performance, commitment to watchmaking tradition, and willingness to innovate. It is reflected through its several partnerships with celebrities and organizations, each formed to deliver unforgettable experiences to fans both in and out of the watchmaking industry.
The brand, for example, is the official timekeeper of the world’s most famous cycling races where the accuracy of timing is essential: Tour de France, Vuelta an España, and just last year, Giro d’Italia. This year, in celebration of the final Vuelta an Espana race, Tissot released a special edition Supersport Chrono, and it looks sleek with its red, white, and black colorways.
Introducing the Special Edition Supersport Chrono Vuelta
The Tissot Supersport Chrono Vuelta Special Edition is targeted towards fans of the annual multi-stage bicycle race. While it is primarily held in Spain, the Vuelta an España also occasionally occurs in nearby countries.
The special edition watch looks elegant yet sporty, being dressed in black, red, and yellow colorways. It boasts an ergonomic design with a black dial, aluminum bezel ring, and indexes. These features are balanced with red accents that are prominently displayed on the second hand, split-second hand, and central race bike motif engraved on the second hand. The contrasting color is also present on the underside of the nylon and rubber strap. Like many high-end watches, the dial is protected with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
Meanwhile, the stainless steel case back is engraved with the Vuelta an España logo. It is rated up to an impressively 100 meters deep. Functions include 30 minutes and 1/10 of second counters. Add that to the split-second chronograph that allows you to simultaneously time two intervals.
Overall, the watch guarantees legibility, allowing you to read the time even when riding a bike. It is powered by a quartz movement that keeps it relatively affordable compared to pricier chronometers. With a retail price of $450, the Tissot Supersport Chrono Vuelta Special Edition is already available for purchase online.
Tissot & Its Historic Timekeeping of Cycling Races
Timekeeping and cycling are closely associated, as victory can be decided in just a few seconds. Calculating the time gap between two cyclists is essential and Tissot can produce technical tools to do exactly just that.
Tissot was named the official timekeeper of the Tour de France from 1988 to 1991. This partnership was renewed in 2016 and continues up to the present, with the brand annually releasing exclusive watches in celebration of the event. The Swiss watchmaker joins the ranks of Omega, Longines, and TAG Heuer as an official timekeeper of sporting events. The wide range of watches it offers allows all the necessary information associated with timing, points counting, and ranking to be collected.
Other Tissot Supersport Watches to Checkout
If you love the look of this new chronograph from Tissot, you will love these other watches the brand has previously released for different cycling events.
1. Supersport Chronograph Tour de France 2020
Consistent with the tradition of Swiss watchmaking and the reputation it’s known for high-quality manufacturing, accuracy, and precision the Tour de France 2020 quartz chronograph features a 45.5mm stainless steel case and is dressed in red and yellow colorways. It references the official colors of the Tour.
Similar to the new Vuelta special edition watch, it sports four large hands that make it easy to tell the time. These include the second hand, which features a bright yellow bike engraving on the counterweight. It also has a tachymetric scale on the bezel that can calculate speed over a given distance.
The case is manufactured in 316L stainless steel that is secured in place with a nylon and rubber strap. It is interchangeable with a brown leather strap that it is packaged with, giving the watch a vintage appeal. It features the Tour de France logo on the case back and offers water-resistance of up to 100 meters.
2. Chrono XL Giro d’Italia 2020
It was in 2020 when Tissot added the Giro d’Italia to the prestigious list of cycling races it sponsors. This made Tissot the first Swiss watchmaker to be the Official Timekeeper of three Grand Tours of Cycling at the same time.
In celebration of the new partnership, it released a 45mm watch that features a 316L stainless steel case with black PVD coating and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. But, probably the highlight of the inaugural Tissot Giro is the pink second’s hand that matches with the pink inner side of the straps the race’s historic color.
It isn’t exactly a small watch, but it is surprisingly lightweight, weighing just 97 grams. Inside is ETA-based quartz with chronograph and split-second functions, and an impressive 100m water resistance. Like the rest of the Tissot watches dedicated to cycling, this reference is presented on black nylon with a rubber backing. You also get an extra interchangeable strap in black leather.
3. Tissot T-Race Cycling Tour de France 2019 Special Edition
Tissot does an exceedingly good timekeeping job at the Tour de France, most probably explaining why its partnership was renewed with the cycling event. In 2019, the brand released two commemorative watches and both offer the same level of precision as any other models it released in the past, if not higher.
One of them is the 2019 T-Race Cycling Tour de France, which is designed with maximum comfort in mind. Its dial details are just as full of character as the two other models mentioned above. It also sports a special case back engraving of the Tour de France logo and is shipped in a box exclusive for the event.
Overall, the watch has a sporty and fashionable appearance that both professional and non-professional bikers can enjoy. It is a limited edition and as far as availability is considered; it was quickly sold out. So, you’re better off at trying your luck in the resale market.
Takeaway
Tissot has come a long way since its foundation in 1853. Fast forward to the present, the brand’s commitment to pushing the limits of watchmaking has never wavered. It has enabled the watchmaker to continue producing reliable, luxurious watches that are worthy to be called the official watches of many prestigious sporting events.
