Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Stauer 1920s Retrograde vs Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80

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 Le Locle Powermatic 80 ($500–$1,000). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Le Locle Powermatic 80 counters with Swiss Made (Swatch Group) craftsmanship and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional dress watchs for their respective tiers.

Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price TissotLe Locle Powermatic 80$500–$1,000 Check price

Transparency — We earn a small commission on purchases made through our Amazon links. This doesn't affect our editorial independence.

Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

Check Price Full Review

Tissot

Le Locle Powermatic 80

$500–$1,000

Check Price Full Review

Specifications Compared

Feature	Stauer 1920s Retrograde	Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80
Price	$100–$150	$500–$1,000
Case Size	43mm	39.3mm
Movement	Quartz	Powermatic 80.111
Caliber Type	Quartz	ETA-Based Automatic
Power Reserve	Battery	80 Hours
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer	30m (3 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 Le Locle Powermatic 80 offers Stainless Steel construction at 39.3mm with Sapphire Crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Tissot

Quartz vs Powermatic 80.111

The 1920s Retrograde runs the Quartz (Quartz, Battery power reserve) at standard frequency. The Le Locle Powermatic 80 uses the Powermatic 80.111 (ETA-Based Automatic, 80 Hours reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz). The Le Locle Powermatic 80 offers a longer power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Tissot

43mm vs 39.3mm — different wrist presence

At 43mm, the 1920s Retrograde has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Le Locle Powermatic 80 at 39.3mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer vs 30m (3 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits at $100–$150 and the Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 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 Le Locle Powermatic 80. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Stauer

100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer vs 30m (3 ATM)

The 1920s Retrograde is rated to 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer while the Le Locle Powermatic 80 handles 30m (3 ATM). The 1920s Retrograde is better suited for water activities.

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.

Check Price on Amazon

Tissot

Le Locle Powermatic 80

Choose the Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 if you value ETA-Based Automatic technology, Swiss Made (Swatch Group) heritage, and 39.3mm proportions. At $500–$1,000, the Powermatic 80.111 with 80 Hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

Check Price on Amazon

Try Prime Free — Free Shipping on Both Watches Students & 18–24: start Prime for Young Adults free

The Bottom Line

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde and Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 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 Le Locle Powermatic 80 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. For water, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde 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 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 Le Locle Powermatic 80 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 Le Locle Powermatic 80 at 39.3mm with 30m (3 ATM) is similarly capable. The 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal while the Le Locle Powermatic 80 uses Sapphire Crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

More Comparisons

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical vs Tissot Le Locle

Wind it yourself, or let it wind itself

Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Tag Heuer's chronograph meets Stauer's dress watch

Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph vs Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80

Tag Heuer's chronograph meets Tissot's dress watch

Explore These Watches

Stauer 1920s Retrograde — Full Review Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 — Full Review Browse All Guides

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.