Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated

Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 vs Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Tissot's dress watch meets Ulysse Nardin's chronograph

Quick Verdict

The Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 ($500–$1,000) offers ETA-Based Automatic precision in the tier below the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) ($25,000+). The Le Locle Powermatic 80 measures 39.3mm and is rated 30m (3 ATM). The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 200m (20 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional watches for their respective tiers.

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Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80

Tissot

Le Locle Powermatic 80

$500–$1,000

Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Ulysse Nardin

Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

$25,000+

Specifications Compared

FeatureTissot Le Locle Powermatic 80Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)
Price$500–$1,000$25,000+
Case Size39.3mm43mm
MovementPowermatic 80.111Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house)
Caliber TypeETA-Based AutomaticUN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified
Power Reserve80 HoursAbout 60 hours, indicator at 12
Water Resistance30m (3 ATM)200m (20 ATM)
CrystalSapphire CrystalSapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback
Case MaterialStainless Steel18k rose gold, fluted bezel
OriginSwiss Made (Swatch Group)Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Tissot's design language vs Ulysse Nardin's approach

The Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 features a Stainless Steel case at 39.3mm with Sapphire Crystal protection. The Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) offers 18k rose gold, fluted bezel construction at 43mm with Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Tissot

Powermatic 80.111 vs Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house)

The Le Locle Powermatic 80 runs the Powermatic 80.111 (ETA-Based Automatic, 80 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) uses the Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house) (UN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified, About 60 hours, indicator at 12 reserve) at standard. The Le Locle Powermatic 80 edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Tissot

39.3mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 39.3mm, the Le Locle Powermatic 80 wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 30m (3 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM).

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Tissot

Tissot sits in the lower tier

The Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 sits at $500–$1,000 and the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at $25,000+. On the specs that outlast any price: the Le Locle Powermatic 80 uses Sapphire Crystal with 80 Hours, against Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback and About 60 hours, indicator at 12 on the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Ulysse Nardin

30m (3 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM)

The Le Locle Powermatic 80 is rated to 30m (3 ATM) while the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) handles 200m (20 ATM). The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) offers superior water resistance.

Our Verdict

Tissot

Le Locle Powermatic 80

Choose the Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 if you prioritize ETA-Based Automatic engineering, Swiss Made (Swatch Group) craftsmanship, and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. At $500–$1,000, it delivers Powermatic 80.111 with 80 Hours power reserve.

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Ulysse Nardin

Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Choose the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) if you value UN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $25,000+, the Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house) with About 60 hours, indicator at 12 power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 and Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Tissot bringing Swiss Made (Swatch Group) tradition while Ulysse Nardin delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

For water, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) is rated 200 m against 30 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 sits a band lower ($500–$1,000 against $25,000+), 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 Le Locle Powermatic 80 offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $500–$1,000. However, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.
Both are suitable for daily wear. The Le Locle Powermatic 80 at 39.3mm with 30m (3 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at 43mm with 200m (20 ATM) is similarly capable. The Le Locle Powermatic 80 uses Sapphire Crystal while the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback.

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.