The History of Tissot Watches

When people hear the word "Tissot" they may not immediately recognize it as a watch brand, but that it is. Tissot was founded in 1853 by Charles-Felicien Tissot and his son Charles-Emile who set up shop in Switzerland.

Known as "innovators by tradition", Tissot has achieved many "firsts" in the watchmaking industry. In the first year of its existence, Tissot created the first mass-produced pocket watch and the first pocket watch that showed two different time zones. In 1929, the company introduced the first anti-magnetic watch.

Tissot has been known to make watches out of bizarre materials such as plastic and wood. In 1971 the company produced an all plastic watch called the IDEA 2201. In 1985 they came out with an all stone one called Alpine Granite Rock watch, an all mother of pearl piece in 1987 and one made entirely of wood, aptly called the Wood Watch in 1988.

It is common practice among watch brands to partner with and sponsor events that draw the same type of customer as the watch brand itself does. Tissot, being a maker of high-precision sports watches has since 2005, partnered with NASCAR to be the Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of this all 'American car racing series. Tissot has long been involved with motor racing and promises to continue bettering the experience for the 75 million fans that watch NASCAR on TV and the 6 million that attend live races. As part of this partnership Tissot has created a series of seven special NASCAR watches including: the T-Touch NASCAR, the T-Race NASCAR, the T-Tracx NASCAR, and the PR 50 Chronograph NASCAR among others.

NASCAR racing isn't the only sport that Tissot has a long history with. Part of the appeal of Tissot watches is that it is broad and extends to many countries and people with different interests. The only common denominator is that both these watches and the audiences that they seek to please both enjoy the "values of precision, innovation, performance and prestige." Other sport partnerships include that of dirt bike racing, cycling, ice hockey and motor bike racing and fencing.

Since 1983 Tissot has been a member of the Swatch Group, the world's largest watch producer and distributor. Swatch watches, Tissot watches and Omega watches will very much be in the international headlines just in time for the 2016 summer Olympics in Brazil. Omega, also owned by Swatch, is the official timekeeper for the Olympics and Swatch will be investing $100 million dollars in Brazil along with opening a new Swatch watch store.

Tissot has a number of ambassadors that cover all the fields of sports and geographic locations that Tissot partners with and is interested in attracting. Indy race car driver Danica Patrick may be the most well-known Ambassador as she has catapulted to international fame and done some high profile photo shoots for Tissot watches. Nicky Hayden, American MotoGP Rider, Michael Owen, English Footballer, Barbie Hsu, Taiwanese Actress, Deepika Padukone, Indian actress and model, Margherita Granbassi, winner of the 2006 World Fencing Championship and Steven Stamkos, Canadian professional ice hockey player are other young, talented faces in their arenas.

Tissot is also lucky that it can still bank on the fact that the below famous people have worn Tissot watches: Sarah Bernhardt, Carmen Miranda, Elvis Presley, Grace Kelly, and Nelson Mandela. Did you know that? Might make you reconsider a Tissot watch for yourself!