Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 vs Junghans Form A Automatic
Tissot's timepiece meets Junghans's dress watch
Quick Verdict
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (~$850) offers In-House Automatic (ETA C07.111 base) precision at $405 less than the Junghans Form A Automatic (~$1,255). The Form A Automatic counters with Made in Germany craftsmanship and 50m (5 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional watches for their respective price points.
Transparency — We earn a small commission on purchases made through our Amazon links. This doesn't affect our editorial independence.
Specifications Compared
| Feature | Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 | Junghans Form A Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$850 | ~$1,255 |
| Case Size | 40mm | 39.3mm |
| Movement | Automatic Powermatic 80.111 | Automatic J800.2 (ETA 2824-2) |
| Caliber Type | In-House Automatic (ETA C07.111 base) | Swiss ETA Base, German-Finished |
| Power Reserve | 80 Hours | 38 Hours |
| Water Resistance | 100m (10 ATM) | 50m (5 ATM) |
| Crystal | Scratch-resistant Sapphire | Flat Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating |
| Case Material | 316L Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Origin | Swiss Made | Made in Germany |
Category-by-Category Analysis
Design & Aesthetics
Tissot's design language vs Junghans's approach
Movement & Performance
Automatic Powermatic 80.111 vs Automatic J800.2 (ETA 2824-2)
Wearability & Fit
40mm vs 39.3mm — different wrist presence
Value & Cost of Ownership
Tissot is $405 more affordable
Water Resistance
100m (10 ATM) vs 50m (5 ATM)
Materials Face-Off
| Component | Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 | Junghans Form A Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 316L stainless steel — standard grade for mid-range watchmaking. Hypoallergenic, corrosion-resistant. |
| 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 | Flat sapphire (Mohs 9) with anti-reflective coating on the underside — provides excellent clarity with minimal internal glare. Note — Unlike the Max 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 | Tinted mineral glass (smoke/grey tint) — provides partial view of the movement while maintaining a subtle aesthetic. |
| Bracelet alloy | Stainless steel 316L matching the case. | Brass-base dial with matte silver lacquer finish, embossed (stamped) square minute track producing three-dimensional relief. |
| Strap | — | Black calfskin leather with polished stainless steel pin buckle. Leather is adequate quality but not luxury-grade. |
Cost of Ownership Compared
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 saves you $830 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 Junghans Form A Automatic if…
- Enthusiasts wanting proven Swiss/Japanese quality in the $1,000–$2,000 sweet spot
- Those who prioritize scratch resistance — sapphire crystal
- Dress watch seekers who want understated elegance
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.
Junghans Form A Automatic
- ETA 2824-2 at $1,450 — fair value but not prestige movement. NOMOS offers in-house at $1,680.
- 38-hour power reserve — leaves unworn for a weekend and it's stopped by Monday
- No lume / dress-only — not versatile for active or outdoor use
- Limited US distribution — difficult to try on in person outside major cities
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 AmazonJunghans
Form A Automatic
Choose the Junghans Form A Automatic if you value Swiss ETA Base, German-Finished technology, Made in Germany heritage, and 39.3mm proportions. At ~$1,255, the Automatic J800.2 (ETA 2824-2) with 38 Hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.
Check Price on AmazonThe Bottom Line
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 and Junghans Form A Automatic represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Tissot bringing Swiss Made tradition while Junghans delivers Made in Germany engineering.