Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 vs Breitling Navitimer B01
Tissot's timepiece meets Breitling's chronograph
Quick Verdict
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (~$850) offers In-House Automatic (ETA C07.111 base) precision at $10,050 less than the Breitling Navitimer B01 (~$10,900). The Navitimer B01 counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional watches for their respective price points.
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Specifications Compared
| Feature | Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 | Breitling Navitimer B01 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$850 | ~$10,900 |
| Case Size | 40mm | 43mm |
| Movement | Automatic Powermatic 80.111 | Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) |
| Caliber Type | In-House Automatic (ETA C07.111 base) | In-House Automatic Chronograph Manufacture |
| Power Reserve | 80 Hours | 70 Hours |
| Water Resistance | 100m (10 ATM) | 30m (3 ATM) |
| Crystal | Scratch-resistant Sapphire | Cambered Sapphire |
| Case Material | 316L Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Origin | Swiss Made | Swiss Made |
Category-by-Category Analysis
Design & Aesthetics
Tissot's design language vs Breitling's approach
Movement & Performance
Automatic Powermatic 80.111 vs Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture)
Wearability & Fit
40mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence
Value & Cost of Ownership
Tissot is $10,050 more affordable
Water Resistance
100m (10 ATM) vs 30m (3 ATM)
Materials Face-Off
| Component | Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 | Breitling Navitimer B01 |
|---|---|---|
| Case alloy | Stainless steel 316L (medical-grade, with composition Cr 16–18%, Ni 10–14%, Mo 2–3%) — the standard mid-range Swiss spec; not 904L (Rolex Oystersteel | Stainless steel 316L — the industry-standard mid-range Swiss spec. |
| Sapphire crystal | Synthetic corundum (Al₂O₃) grown via the Verneuil process, Mohs hardness 9. Anti-reflective coating on the interior surface only (single-side AR is st Mohs 9 | Synthetic corundum (Al₂O₃), grown via the Verneuil process for crystal blanks then formed into the cambered (domed) shape. Mohs hardness 9. Anti-refle Mohs 9 |
| Lume specification | Super-LumiNova grade BGW9 (blue-green daylight tone, blue emission in some variants) or C3 (yellow-green) depending on dial colour family. Glow durati | Super-LumiNova grade C1 or BGW9 (variant-dependent). Glow duration ~6 hours after full charge. |
| Bracelet alloy | Stainless steel 316L matching the case. | Stainless steel 316L matching the case. |
Cost of Ownership Compared
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 saves you $9,081 over 5 years of ownership
Who Should Pick Which
Pick the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 if…
- Strong value proposition under $1,000 with automatic Swiss movement
- Active lifestyle wearers — 100m water resistance handles swimming and water sports
- Weekend warriors — 80-hour power reserve means it survives two days off the wrist
- Those who prioritize scratch resistance — sapphire crystal
- Integrated-bracelet aesthetic fans wanting the Royal Oak look for 1/20th the price
Pick the Breitling Navitimer B01 if…
- Buyers wanting an in-house movement at the $9K price point
- Accuracy-minded buyers — COSC chronometer certification guarantees precision
- Weekend warriors — 70-hour power reserve means it survives two days off the wrist
- Those who prioritize scratch resistance — sapphire crystal
- Chronograph enthusiasts looking for a proven timing instrument
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
- Retail markup is generous. The PRX commonly transacts at 30–40% under retail on Jomashop, Tissot's own e-commerce promotions, and authorized online dealers. Paying full $725 retail is rarely the right move — it usually means immediate ~30% loss the moment you walk out the door.
- Proprietary endlink limits strap options. The integrated bracelet design means you cannot easily put a NATO, leather two-piece, or rubber strap on the PRX without specialist hardware. This bothers some buyers more than they expect.
- Bracelet sizing is fiddly. Links are joined by screws (good — adjustable at home with a tool), but the screws are tiny and stripping them is common for inexperienced owners. Take it to a watchmaker for sizing if you're unsure.
- 3 Hz "slow" seconds. The reduced frequency (21,600 vph vs. 28,800 vph in some peer movements) means the seconds hand visibly sweeps at 6 ticks/second rather than 8. Some buyers expecting the smoother high-beat sweep find this a minor disappointment.
Breitling Navitimer B01
- 30m water resistance is the headline weakness. At nearly $9,000 retail this is the most-criticised spec. The Navitimer is an aviation tool, not a water watch.
- Slide rule learning curve. Most owners never actually use the slide rule for in-flight calculation. Knowing how to operate it is a horological badge-of-honour, not a daily-driver feature.
- Dial visual density. The Navitimer dial is the watch's character, but it is also the most cluttered face in any luxury watch under $10k. People who want a clean dial will not love this watch.
- 43mm wears large. The 43mm case + 22mm lug width + cambered crystal pushes the visual presence above the spec. Try before you buy if you're under 6.75" wrist.
Our Verdict
Tissot
PRX Powermatic 80
Choose the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 if you prioritize In-House Automatic (ETA C07.111 base) engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. At ~$850, it delivers Automatic Powermatic 80.111 with 80 Hours power reserve.
Check Price on AmazonBreitling
Navitimer B01
Choose the Breitling Navitimer B01 if you value In-House Automatic Chronograph Manufacture technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 43mm proportions. At ~$10,900, the Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) with 70 Hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.
Check Price on AmazonThe Bottom Line
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 and Breitling Navitimer B01 represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Tissot bringing Swiss Made tradition while Breitling delivers Swiss Made engineering.