Tissot Skeleton Watch Review

There is no denying that watches, especially the skeletonized ones, are amazing pieces of craftsmanship. They are crafted with great attention to detail and showcase advanced mechanical movements as well as tiny parts that make watches tick.

Take, for instance, the Tissot Skeleton Watch. It is one of the most sought-after pieces in watchmaking. In terms of its design and presence, it offers a far more industrial and modern take on the classic genre of skeleton watches.

So, in this in-depth review of the Tissot Skeleton Watch, let’s find out whether the attention it receives is truly well-deserved.

TLDR: Review of the Tissot T-Complication Squelette Skeleton Watch  

Tissot T-Complication Squelette Mechanical

Swiss luxury watchmaker Tissot SA has a stellar reputation of delivering mid-range luxury watches at an affordable price and one that creates such a visual impact to me (and most probably also with other watch collectors too) is the Tissot’s T-Complication Squelette

Hands-on: Tissot T-Complication Squelette

The Tissot T-Complication Squelette is an open-worked skeleton movement watch with no dial but with a minute track and luminous markings. Depending on the light, the minute track and the hand appear either black or blue.

The watch is fully brushed with “horn” lugs. It has an asymmetric shape on its upper right flank, which you may not notice at first look.

In most other skeleton watches, whatever the Squelette has to offer will be hidden in a dial. If you’re lucky, you’ll only have some clues as to how the watch keeps on ticking if the watch has a clear case back. But not with the Squelette.

Design and movement

With Swiss-made Tissot T-Complication Squelette, the whole watch movement and parts are shown, which many watch enthusiasts find incredibly beautiful and instructive. Its turbine-dial that showcases the customized hand-wound movement ETA 6497-1.

The striking combination of yellow, purple, and blue tones against its stainless mechanical background as well as the signed crown with a unique knurled pattern completes its mechanical motif/look. All the wheels, balance, springs, and pinions come out to play. At 12mm high and 43mm in diameter, the Tissot T-Complication Squelette is a sizable Swiss-made watch. 

Clasp and strap

This modern-looking watch that weighs 89 grams is fitted with a black leather strap (crocodile-grain) with a butterfly push button clasp. While the leather strap and clasp may not be extraordinary, both of them are good and complement the stainless steel watch.

I like the simplicity of the strap so you get to focus on where your attention should be when looking at a watch: its dial. But just because it is simple does not mean low-quality leather. It’s comfortable and soft on the wrist.

The push-button deployment clasp likewise ensures the integrity of the watch and is solid. It refuses to break open and easily withstands tugs. Overall, with this open-worked watch, Tissot has surely elevated its brand to watch collectors and non-watch people. 

Pros

  • Has hour and minute markers
  • With a power reserve of 46 hours
  • Modern-looking skeleton watch
  • Attractive turbine-style crown
  • Reliable Swiss-made watch without supercharged price tags
  • Manly 43mm diameter case
  • Thin bezel
  • The winding has that satisfying ratcheting sound
  • Coated with lume, allowing you to read the time even in low light conditions
  • Hands are made of blued steel

Cons

  • The strap may be a bit thin for some people and looks not so durable as other affordable luxury timepieces
  • Deployant feels cheap like it is not made of plastic instead of metal

Is it worth it?

The Tissot T-Complication Squelette is worth the purchase. It has a strong value and is eye-catching too. And because Tissot uses highly scratch-resistant sapphire in making this watch, it is truly designed to showcase the intricacies of the Squelette movement for years to come.

In-Depth Review of the Tissot Stainless Steel Skeleton Watch

Tissot T-Complication Squelette Mechanical - View 2

Specifications

Collection: T-Classic

Model: ETA 6497 1

Water resistance: Water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bar (50 m / 165 ft)

Weight: 89

Gender: GENT

Warranty: 2 Years of Warranty

Reference: T0704051641100

Crystal: Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a double-sided anti-reflective coating

Width: 43.00

Case options: see-through case back

Lugs: 22.00

Length: 43.00

Case Material: 316L stainless steel case

Case shape: ROUND

Thickness: 12

Power reserve: power reserve of 46 hours

Dial: HMS

Energy: Mechanical

Jewels: 17

Diameter (mm): 36,6

Caliber: 16 1/2”’

Movement: Swiss mechanical

Dial Color: Transparent

Strap color: Black

Strap back: Synthetic

Strap Front: Embossed cow leather alligator look alike

Strap details: Leather

Strap/Chain reference:T600031625

Buckle: butterfly clasp with push-buttons

Quality and Durability

The Tissot T-Complication Squelette is protected by a sapphire crystal, making it highly resistant to impact. This feature also gives the Skeletonized Tissot watch hand readability (owing to its transparency) and superior screen. And because the sapphire crystal is the strongest material next to diamonds, it has been used in fine timepieces like the Tissot Squelette Watch for its anti-stretch properties.

Additional Features

This stunning timepiece, just like other Tissot watches, undergoes various tests. These tests determine the Squelette’s water resistance, ability to resist pressure and impacts, and the penetration of dust and gas by replicating real-life conditions. The result of the water-resistance test shows that the Squelette can withstand up to a pressure of 50m or 165 ft.

Warranty

The Tissot’s T-Complication Squelette is covered with a 2-year warranty. 

Who is it Best for?

This Tissot timepiece is best for fans of skeleton watches or those with a preference for wearing an accessory or piece of jewelry that showcases the inside movement of a watch. 

So, if you like to wear a watch that enables you to carry a symbol of tradition, history, and art, then this easy winding Squelette is for you!

What Do People Say About it?

Amazon 

A buyer from Amazon gave Tissot T-Complication Squelette a 5-star rating and reviewed, “The watch is authentic with all the paperwork and works great. Perfect timing! [I received it] very quickly and in excellent condition. I am happy with my purchase. Glad to have the warranty if needed.”

Another Amazon customer appreciates the Tissot T-Complication Squelette. He said that although this is a mid-range luxury timepiece, he still finds it worth buying. “I love this watch so I guess the price is not as important. I never use it to tell time. I just catch myself looking at all of the beautiful moving parts.”

Looking for affordable skeleton timepieces? You may check out this list of the Best Skeleton Watches Under $200!

YouTube 

Watch & Scotch reviewed the Tissot T-Complication Squelette on YouTube, saying “It’s a great example of a skeletonized watch… This Tissot has been designed to be modern, yet classic. Many skeleton watches try to be highly ornate. But the Tissot is more modern and industrial in its look.”

Also, Birth Year Watches shared, “Skeletonization is tricky to do so you don’t see many manufacturers do it. The Tissot made a nice job of this [industrial looking T-Complication Squelette]. For starters, the hands are big… So, they’re quite easy to read.”

Reddit

In one Reddit thread, a user wrote, “That being said, in the luxury segment, there are many skeleton watches, but most are simply unreadable!…Enter the Tissot T-Complication Squelette. This beautiful watch is a sapphire sandwich, allowing you to see its inner workings. With the blue steel finish for the hands and a brushed finish for the internals, [Tissot made] this watch extremely legible.”

The Verdict: Should I Buy It?

Tissot Squelette review

Overall, the Tissot T-Complication Squelette is quite a deal and is surely worth buying. 

With a sapphire crystal, a display case back, hour markers, and a thin bezel, this Tissot Squelette could be an ideal mechanical hand-wound watch that you’re looking for.

It also has an attractive turbine-style crown and blued hands. It felt comfortable and natural wearing it, although not exactly as daily wear but more of a dainty dress piece or a masculine sports watch (because of its large and modern case). 

If you like this review, you might want to read our other reviews at EvesWatch.com.

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