Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Stauer 1920s Retrograde vs Tissot Seastar 1000 Automatic

Stauer's dress watch meets Tissot's diver

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) offers Quartz precision in the tier below the Tissot Seastar 1000 Automatic ($500–$1,000). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Seastar 1000 Automatic counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 300m (30 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional watches for their respective tiers.

Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price View the dossier

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Tissot

Seastar 1000 Automatic

$500–$1,000

View the dossier Full Review

Specifications Compared

Feature	Stauer 1920s Retrograde	Tissot Seastar 1000 Automatic
Price	$100–$150	$500–$1,000
Case Size	43mm	40mm
Movement	Quartz	Automatic Powermatic 80 (Caliber 80.111)
Caliber Type	Quartz	ETA/Tissot Automatic
Power Reserve	Battery	80 Hours
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer	300m (30 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

Category-by-Category Analysis

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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 Seastar 1000 Automatic 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 Automatic Powermatic 80 (Caliber 80.111)

The 1920s Retrograde runs the Quartz (Quartz, Battery power reserve) at standard frequency. The Seastar 1000 Automatic uses the Automatic Powermatic 80 (Caliber 80.111) (ETA/Tissot Automatic, 80 Hours reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz). The Seastar 1000 Automatic offers a longer power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Tissot

43mm vs 40mm — different wrist presence

At 43mm, the 1920s Retrograde has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Seastar 1000 Automatic at 40mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer vs 300m (30 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 Seastar 1000 Automatic 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 Seastar 1000 Automatic. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Tissot

100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer vs 300m (30 ATM)

The 1920s Retrograde is rated to 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer while the Seastar 1000 Automatic handles 300m (30 ATM). The Seastar 1000 Automatic offers superior water resistance.

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

Seastar 1000 Automatic

Choose the Tissot Seastar 1000 Automatic if you value ETA/Tissot Automatic technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 40mm proportions. At $500–$1,000, the Automatic Powermatic 80 (Caliber 80.111) with 80 Hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde and Tissot Seastar 1000 Automatic represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Stauer bringing Stauer (USA brand, imported) tradition while Tissot delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Tissot Seastar 1000 Automatic 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 Tissot Seastar 1000 Automatic is rated 300 m against 100 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 Seastar 1000 Automatic 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 Seastar 1000 Automatic at 40mm with 300m (30 ATM) is similarly capable. The 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal while the Seastar 1000 Automatic 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.