Hands-on: Tissot PR516 Chronograph Valjoux – Classic racing design in blue and white

Text: The editorial team

Image: Aleksandar Mladenovic

From the race track to the wrist, the Tissot PR516 Chronograph Valjoux is back in a new blue and white execution that impresses both aesthetically and technically. With clear links to the motorsport of the sixties and a mechanical heart in the form of the Valjoux 7753, this is a watch that delivers far above its price tag. In paid collaboration with Tissot we have taken a closer look at the model and we like what we see.

It is not every day you test a chronograph that both feels genuinely retro-inspired and at the same time lives up to today's demands for function and quality. But when Tissot earlier this year chose to blow new life into the PR516 series it was clear that they were not out to just ride on nostalgia, Tissot wanted to deliver something for real. Now we have had the chance to take a closer look at the model with the Valjoux movement and the blue and white dial, and we have to say it straight away: this is pure class in terms of what you get for the money.

A racing icon in a modern take

The Tissot PR516 saw the light of day back in the 1960s and the design took clear inspiration at the time from the world of motorsport. The name PR516 stands for “Particularly Robust” and the model was marketed as a wristwatch ready for the race track, the water and everyday life alike. The chronograph version, which quickly followed a few years later, became especially popular thanks to its functionality and durable construction and the model has even been seen on Roger Moore's wrist in one of his iconic film roles.

So this year the saga continues, with a new generation of the PR516 that includes both automatic and quartz-driven models. The most striking, though, is without doubt the new Valjoux chronograph, a model that with its blue and white dial and classic design gives us strong vibes from bygone times, but at the same time impresses with modern technology and build quality.

Blue and white – a well-judged colour combination

The first thing that catches the eye is the colour scheme. The dial is mainly white, with blue subdials and blue details around the indices and hands. The combination gives a fresh and sporty feel without becoming overdone. It is distinct and together with the brushed steel case at 41 mm a balance arises between classic tool watch and clean everyday watch. The blue tachymeter scale and the pulsometer scale on the bezel reinforce the racing character further, another piece of heritage from the original that Tissot has chosen to preserve in the best possible way.

One detail worth mentioning is how the three subdials sit gathered in the lower part of the dial, it creates a design language of its own that differs from more conventionally symmetrical layout solutions. The box sapphire crystal over the dial also gives a certain optical lift and depth, which makes the watch feel more exclusive than the price tag suggests.

Valjoux 7753 – a well-proven heart

The Valjoux 7753, a movement that hardly needs any closer introduction for those who move in chronograph circles. It is robust, dependable and well known for its precise timing. The power reserve sits at a respectable 60 hours, and the movement is visible through the open caseback which is also in sapphire crystal. The chronograph's functions are clear and easy to use. The start/stop button has a good resistance and the reset is quick and distinct. The sense of mechanics is tangible, there is no doubt here that you have a real chronograph on your wrist.

On the wrist

Despite its 13,9 mm in thickness the watch is not experienced as clumsy. It sits stably thanks to the classically shaped case and the well-balanced weight. On the wrist it comes across as sporty but not intrusive. The included link in stainless steel has a three-part construction and is both supple and comfortable with micro-adjustment in the clasp plus a quick fitting for easy strap changes.

It is quite simply a watch that is worn with both authority and comfort. The tall case reminds you that it is a mechanical powerhouse you have on your arm, but without that compromising the user-friendliness.

In summary

We have tested many chronographs in the price class around 20–25 000 kronor, but few have this combination of history, technical quality and visual authority. The blue and white execution really stands out without being loud. It is classic racing aesthetics at their best – and it is hard not to draw parallels to considerably more expensive alternatives from, for example, TAG Heuer or Omega. The PR516 Chronograph Valjoux from Tissot feels like a really strong release this year, and for anyone after a mechanical chronograph with racing DNA, clear character and a well-built feel this is an obvious alternative to consider.

Tissot has managed to create something that feels both honest and thoroughly worked through with the new PR516 Chronograph. It is a model that conveys its history without getting stuck in it, and that with its modern interpretation shows that there is still room for mechanical chronographs that do not cost a fortune. Blue and white have rarely looked so good together. And with a list price of around 23 000 kr kronor it is hard not to say the obvious: this is really, really a lot of watch for the money.

Thanks to Tissot for a good collaboration and Step In Watch Center in Stockholm for the loan of the watch.