PR100 Chronograph Tissot's ice blue split-timer at 11.26 mm

What is new about the PR100 Chronograph T150.417.11.351.00?

The PR100 is Tissot's long-running everyday steel watch, and the current T150 generation brought a 40 mm quartz chronograph into the family. In July 2024 Tissot widened the chronograph range with three new dial colours: light blue, navy blue and dark green. HIGHXTAR reported the launch, describing the new versions as having a more traditional finish than sportier editions such as the Tour de France model.

This reference, T150.417.11.351.00, is the light blue one. Tissot calls the colour ice blue. It sits on a steel bracelet with a polished centre row, and the date window uses a white disc rather than one matched to the dial. Tissot sells it in the UK at an RRP of £355, which places it at the lower end of the £300 to £600 band and well below most Swiss chronographs.

The appeal is easy to state. You get a pale, fashionable dial colour, a sapphire crystal and a proper Swiss quartz chronograph with a split timer, in a case that Tissot quotes at 11.26 mm thick. That is slimmer than many quartz chronographs at this money.

How big is it, and how will it wear?

Tissot lists the case at 40 mm wide and 11.26 mm thick, with a 20 mm lug width. Those are moderate numbers for a chronograph, which tends to run larger and taller than a three-hand watch because of the extra module and pushers. At 40 mm, it should suit a wide range of wrists, and the slim profile helps it slip under a shirt cuff.

Tissot gives the complete watch a weight of 135 g on its bracelet. That is noticeable but not heavy for an all-steel chronograph. The bracelet (Tissot reference T605049797) closes with a butterfly clasp opened by push-buttons, so there is no fold-over flap sitting under the wrist. Tissot does not publish a lug to lug figure, so if you are between sizes it is worth trying one in a shop first.

The ice blue dial carries simple indexes and needle-shaped hands coated in Super-LumiNova. Two subdials handle the 30-minute and tenth-of-a-second counters, with a central 60-second chronograph hand and a standard running seconds hand.

What movement does it use, and how accurate is it?

Inside is the G10.212, a Swiss quartz chronograph movement from ETA, the Swatch Group's movement maker. Tissot lists its functions as a 30-minute counter, a tenth-of-a-second counter, a central chronograph seconds hand, plus ADD and SPLIT functions. ADD lets you stop and restart timing without resetting, and SPLIT lets you freeze the display to read an intermediate time while timing continues in the background. That is more than most entry chronographs offer.

The movement also has an end-of-life indicator, which warns you when the battery is running low so the watch does not simply stop one morning. Tissot describes the system as PowerDrive. Tissot does not publish an accuracy figure on the product page, so we will not quote one, but quartz chronographs of this type are far more accurate day to day than any mechanical alternative at the price.

The trade-off is the usual one with quartz. There is no sweeping seconds hand and no automatic movement to admire, and you will need a battery change every few years. For a lot of buyers, a grab-and-go watch that keeps time without winding is the point.

How well is it built?

The case and bracelet are 316L stainless steel, and the bezel is steel too. The crystal is sapphire, which resists scratches far better than mineral glass. Water resistance is 100 m (10 bar), enough for swimming and everyday splashes. The watch is made in Switzerland and comes with a two-year warranty.

The polished centre row on the bracelet is the main finishing detail. It adds some shine and gives the watch a slightly dressier look than the plainer sports versions in the range.

Is it good value against its rivals?

At £355, the PR100 Chronograph is one of the more affordable ways into a Swiss chronograph. Its own stablemate, the PR516 Chronograph, costs £475 at RRP. It shares the 40 mm diameter but Tissot lists it at 12.16 mm thick, so the PR100 is both cheaper and slimmer. The PR516 has a more distinctive racing look.

From sister brand Certina, the DS-8 Chrono has an RRP of £510, with a 41 mm case 11.55 mm tall. It brings Certina's DS shock-protection concept, but it costs £155 more. If you want a pale blue dial and a split timer, the PR100 covers both for less money.

What is the catch?

The light blue dial is the main draw and also the main risk. Pale blue is a fashionable colour right now, and some buyers may tire of it sooner than they would of a black or silver dial. Tissot sells the same watch in other colours if you want something safer.

The white date disc will divide opinion too: it stands out against the blue dial rather than blending in. And this is a quartz chronograph, so collectors who want a mechanical movement should look elsewhere and expect to pay far more. As a sensible, slim Swiss chronograph for everyday wear, though, it makes a strong case for itself.

“A split timer, a sapphire crystal and an 11.26 mm case, for less than most Swiss chronographs cost.”

What do owners say?

Themes from public owner feedback, paraphrased. We never copy Amazon reviews or ratings.

• Owners of the previous PR 100 Sport Chronograph single out the quality of the steel bracelet and rate it as a simple, dependable everyday Swiss watch, while accepting it has no exotic movement or hand finishing.

  Dialicious owner review (previous model) (opens in a new tab)