Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Stauer 1920s Retrograde vs Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium

Two dress watchs compared — $100–$150 vs $500–$1,000

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) offers Quartz precision in the tier below the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium ($500–$1,000). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium counters with Swiss Made (Swatch Group) craftsmanship and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional dress watchs for their respective tiers.

Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price TissotGentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium$500–$1,000 Check price

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Tissot

Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium

$500–$1,000

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Stauer 1920s Retrograde	Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium
Price	$100–$150	$500–$1,000
Case Size	43mm	40mm
Movement	Quartz	Powermatic 80.811 (Silicon Hairspring)
Caliber Type	Quartz	ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Hairspring
Power Reserve	Battery	80 Hours
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer	100m (10 ATM)
Crystal	Mineral crystal	Sapphire Crystal
Case Material	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)	Stainless Steel
Origin	Stauer (USA brand, imported)	Swiss Made (Swatch Group)

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Stauer's design language vs Tissot's approach

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde features a Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) case at 43mm with Mineral crystal protection. The Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium offers Stainless Steel construction at 40mm with Sapphire Crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Tissot

Quartz vs Powermatic 80.811 (Silicon Hairspring)

The 1920s Retrograde runs the Quartz (Quartz, Battery power reserve) at standard frequency. The Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium uses the Powermatic 80.811 (Silicon Hairspring) (ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Hairspring, 80 Hours reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz). The Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium offers a longer power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Tissot

43mm vs 40mm — different wrist presence

At 43mm, the 1920s Retrograde has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium at 40mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer vs 100m (10 ATM).

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits at $100–$150 and the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium at $500–$1,000. On the specs that outlast any price: the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal with Battery, against Sapphire Crystal and 80 Hours on the Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Draw

100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer vs 100m (10 ATM)

The 1920s Retrograde is rated to 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer while the Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium handles 100m (10 ATM). Both offer identical water resistance ratings.

Our Verdict

Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you prioritize Quartz engineering, Stauer (USA brand, imported) craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer water resistance. At $100–$150, it delivers Quartz with Battery power reserve.

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Tissot

Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium

Choose the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium if you value ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Hairspring technology, Swiss Made (Swatch Group) heritage, and 40mm proportions. At $500–$1,000, the Powermatic 80.811 (Silicon Hairspring) with 80 Hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde and Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium represent two distinct approaches to the dress watch category — the Stauer bringing Stauer (USA brand, imported) tradition while Tissot delivers Swiss Made (Swatch Group) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $500–$1,000), 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 Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer water resistance handles everyday situations. The Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium at 40mm with 100m (10 ATM) is similarly capable. The 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal while the Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium uses Sapphire Crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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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.