Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 vs Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet)

Two timepieces compared — $500–$1,000 vs $5,000–$10,000

Quick Verdict

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 ($500–$1,000) offers In-House Automatic (ETA C07.111 base) precision in the tier below the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) ($5,000–$10,000). The PRX Powermatic 80 measures 40mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM). The Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional timepieces for their respective tiers.

TissotPRX Powermatic 80$500–$1,000 Check price CartierBallon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet)$5,000–$10,000 Check price

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Tissot

PRX Powermatic 80

$500–$1,000

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Cartier

Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet)

$5,000–$10,000

Check Price Full Review

Specifications Compared

Feature	Tissot PRX Powermatic 80	Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet)
Price	$500–$1,000	$5,000–$10,000
Case Size	40mm	28mm, 10mm thick
Movement	Automatic Powermatic 80.111	Quartz, Cartier
Caliber Type	In-House Automatic (ETA C07.111 base)	Cartier quartz
Power Reserve	80 Hours	Battery
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM)	30m (3 ATM)
Crystal	Scratch-resistant Sapphire	Sapphire Crystal
Case Material	316L Stainless Steel	Stainless steel, bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds per the photograph, crown guard with blue cabochon
Origin	Swiss Made	Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Tissot's design language vs Cartier's approach

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 features a 316L Stainless Steel case at 40mm with Scratch-resistant Sapphire protection. The Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) offers Stainless steel, bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds per the photograph, crown guard with blue cabochon construction at 28mm, 10mm thick with Sapphire Crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Tissot

Automatic Powermatic 80.111 vs Quartz, Cartier

The PRX Powermatic 80 runs the Automatic Powermatic 80.111 (In-House Automatic (ETA C07.111 base), 80 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) uses the Quartz, Cartier (Cartier quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The PRX Powermatic 80 edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Cartier

40mm vs 28mm, 10mm thick — different wrist presence

At 40mm, the PRX Powermatic 80 has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) at 28mm, 10mm thick. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) vs 30m (3 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Tissot

Tissot sits in the lower tier

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 sits at $500–$1,000 and the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) at $5,000–$10,000. On the specs that outlast any price: the PRX Powermatic 80 uses Scratch-resistant Sapphire with 80 Hours, against Sapphire Crystal and Battery on the Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Tissot

100m (10 ATM) vs 30m (3 ATM)

The PRX Powermatic 80 is rated to 100m (10 ATM) while the Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) handles 30m (3 ATM). The PRX Powermatic 80 is better suited for water activities.

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 $500–$1,000, it delivers Automatic Powermatic 80.111 with 80 Hours power reserve.

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Cartier

Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet)

Choose the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) if you value Cartier quartz technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 28mm, 10mm thick proportions. At $5,000–$10,000, the Quartz, Cartier with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 and Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) represent two distinct approaches to the timepiece category — the Tissot bringing Swiss Made tradition while Cartier delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is rated 100 m against 30 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 sits a band lower ($500–$1,000 against $5,000–$10,000), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $500–$1,000. However, the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The PRX Powermatic 80 at 40mm with 100m (10 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) at 28mm, 10mm thick with 30m (3 ATM) is similarly capable. The PRX Powermatic 80 uses Scratch-resistant Sapphire while the Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm quartz (steel, diamond-set bezel, silver dial, steel bracelet) uses Sapphire Crystal.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.