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Hands-on: Tissot Seastar 1000 Quartz
Just in time for the holidays we have got better acquainted with a new release from Tissot, namely their Seastar 1000 Quartz in the new 40mm size. Good looking, hard wearing and water resistant to 300m, all of which makes this a very capable watch to have on the wrist, especially with the swimming season around the corner.
Text/image: Aleksandar Mladenovic
Just in time for the holiday we have got more closely acquainted with a novelty from Tissot, namely their Seastar 1000 Quartz in the new size 40mm. Good-looking, hard-wearing and tight down to 300m make this watch a very capable watch to have on the arm, above all with the bathing season around the corner.
Tissot's Seastar line has been around a long time and was introduced in 1954 and has undergone quite a few changes over the years. In 2003 the Seastar 660 was introduced which was the first model that looked like a modern diver's watch. Previously the Seastar 1000 model has existed in two sizes: 36 and 43mm (where the larger one has an automatic movement) and this year they introduce a long-awaited size of 40mm that suits both male and female wrists.
The new model is available in three variants: steel with black dial, steel with blue dial and a version with gold details and a PVD-treated rotating ring in gold and a black dial. The two first mentioned are sold on a steel link while the variant in ”two tone” is delivered on a rubber strap. It is of course possible to complement with a rubber strap for the steel models and strap changes (as well as a strap width of 20mm) enable partly quick changes but also that the supply of aftermarket straps is big.
The case measures as mentioned 40mm, has a compact thickness of 10mm thanks to the battery-driven movement and wears comfortably on the wrist. The top side of the case is polished with brushed case sides. The steel link has polished centre links and brushed outer links as well as a folding clasp with push buttons.
The crown is screwed down and is protected by crown guards and the model has sapphire crystal.
The rotating ring matches the colours of the dials and has an insert of mineral glass which contributes to a pleasant effect which in our eyes raises the overall impression of the watch. This also makes the rotating ring insert match the surface finish of the dials which is also glossy. At 6 o'clock on the dial we find the date window which is quick-set via the crown.
Indexes and hands are naturally filled with SuperLuminova and the watch glows strongly in the dark with blue luminous material.
Under the case back which is engraved with the Seastar logotype, a seahorse, ticks a quartz movement from ETA which is reliable and simple to service. For the one who is worried about how much juice there is left in the battery, this is indicated by the seconds hand starting to jump at intervals of four seconds. This is however nothing you have to worry about about until in a couple of years.
On the wrist we think the watch wears very nicely and the size feels well balanced, it is a classic size as far as diver's watches go and it fits perfectly into the line between the 36mm big diver and the 45.5mm big chronograph (now we are only talking about the battery-driven models). It would not surprise us if Tissot launches a 40mm big Seastar 1000 going forward with their Powermatic 80 movement. He who lives will see!
What is also very positive about the model is the price tag: 5,295 kronor on rubber strap and 5,395 kronor on link. It is as they usually say – very much watch for the money. Robust, reliable movement and as well as good-looking packaging. If you are looking for something new for the summer that does not hurt the wallet all too much you should definitely check out the new Tissot Seastar 1000 Quartz.
Read more about the watches at Tissot
