Tissot’s Stealthy, Sleek New Watch Has a Sporty Secret

For those passionate about one of Europe’s favorite races, the other partner in this collaboration is clear.

Close-up of a blue luminescent watch hand on a black Tissot watch face with glowing hour markers.Tissot

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Two brands teaming up on a product or two is something we encounter every day at Gear Patrol, with more misses than hits in my experience.

The best ones involve parties that deeply understand each other, and the concept of restraint, enabling the dovetailed results to shine without screaming brand names in your face.

Black Tissot Powermatic 80 wristwatch with textured dial and blue second hand on a black rubber strap.
The Tissot Pinarello Special Edition looks great even without knowing how the bikes inspire the design.
Tissot

That rare, beautiful fusion is on full display in the first-ever collaboration between storied Swiss horologist Tissot and legendary Italian cycling brand Pinarello on (surprise, surprise) a watch and a bike.

While the two-wheeler is a limited-edition stunner whose yet-unstated price tag will easily top five figures, the time teller is a gorgeous yet affordable option that sneakily wears its partner’s calling card on its proverbial sleeve. Other nods, however, are much subtler.

Every second (hand) counts

It’s worth noting that the appropriately named Tissot Pinarello Special Edition is a winner even without the cool collaboration aspect.

Black Tissot Powermatic 80 wristwatch with textured rubber strap against a blue-purple gradient background.
The watch’s asymmetric case shape references a key element of Pinarello bike science.
Tissot

However, it’s much more compelling, especially for the cycle-paths among us, once you understand the thought that went into various components, and how elegantly they echo Pinarello’s ethos.

Let’s start with the forged case, which combines a stainless steel case and a carbon composite, the ultralight essential ingredient in Pinarello’s race-ready frames, which riders have raced on to an unprecedented 16 Tour de France victories, six more than any other brand. 

Matte black Pinarello road bike with purple Zipp 454 NSW wheels and tan sidewall tires on a concrete floor.
The Pinarello Dogma F Edizione Speciale Tissot bicycle is just as captivating as the watch in its own way.
Pinarello

Beyond the material, the asymmetric shape of the case is derived from Pinarello’s distinctively designed forks, not to mention frames that are asymmetric to balance the higher forces being exerted on the chain side while pedaling.

By the numbers: with the crown positioned at 10 o’clock, the case has a 3 to 9 o’clock width of 43 mm and a 6 to 12 o’clock length of 40 mm.

Close-up of a watch face showing a blue second hand with a unique curved design and silver hour and minute hands.
Wear this watch in public and the Pinarello superfans will surely come out of the woodwork.
Tissot

The watch’s grained gray dial, meanwhile, is inspired by the tarmac on which so much serious road cycling takes place. 

Those elements, plus the logo engraved on the side of the case, are the subtler nods. The more obvious one, for those in the know anyway, is the second hand. 

After all, it’s rendered in the shape of Pinarello’s cyclone-like logo, while the hue, dubbed Borealis, is one integral to the bike brand’s identity. 

Podium-worthy parts

Beyond these elements are a strong set of trademark Tissot features that add to the appeal even if you’re not a two-wheeled enthusiast.

The black-nickel baton indexes boast a Super-LumiNova coating that boosts readability even after the sun sets. 

Black Tissot Powermatic 80 wristwatch with textured dial and blue second hand on a black Dom Pinarello bicycle frame.
Fun fact: Buy the admittedly “if you need to ask you can’t afford it”-priced bike and they’ll throw in the watch.
Pinarello

The classic Powermatic 80 automatic movement boasts incredible accuracy backed up by an 80-hour power reserve.

A Nivachron balance spring protects this movement from magnetic fields and temperature variations, while 100 meters of water resistance shields it from precipitation or a dip in the deep. 

The watch comes with an activity-ready synthetic strap, but inside the exclusive collector’s box, you’ll find an additional handcrafted Italian leather strap that can easily be swapped in when it’s time to dismount the bike and dress up. 

Availability and pricing

The Tissot Pinarello Special Edition is available now for $1,775.

Black Tissot Powermatic 80 wristwatch with textured black dial, white hour markers, blue second hand, and black textured strap.Tissot

Tissot Pinarello Special Edition

Specs

Case Size 43mm
Movement Powermatic 80
Water Resistance 100m

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