Longines vs Tissot: Swatch Group Siblings

Both Longines and Tissot belong to Swatch Group, the world's largest watch conglomerate. They share corporate parentage, access to the same movement technology, and Swiss manufacturing heritage. So what justifies Longines' higher price point, and which brand offers better value?

This comparison helps you understand the differences and make an informed choice between these two Swiss stalwarts.

Brand Overview

Heritage & Prestige

Longines

Longines is one of the oldest registered watch brands, founded in Saint-Imier in 1832. The winged hourglass logo—trademarked in 1889—is the oldest registered trademark in the watch industry still in use.

Historically, Longines was considered on par with Omega and Rolex. The brand supplied timing equipment for aviation pioneers Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, and developed the first wristwatch with flyback chronograph. Until the quartz crisis, Longines was firmly in the luxury tier.

Today, Swatch Group positions Longines as "affordable elegance"—below Omega but above mid-range brands. While it no longer competes directly with Rolex, it represents genuine heritage and quality at accessible prices.

Tissot

Tissot was founded in 1853, also in Switzerland. The brand has a strong innovation history, producing the first mass-produced pocket watch (1853), first dual time zone pocket watch (1853), and one of the first tactile watches (T-Touch, 1999).

Tissot serves as the "official timekeeper" for numerous sports including basketball (NBA), cycling (Tour de France), and motorsport (MotoGP). This positions it as a sporty, accessible Swiss brand—"Swiss Made" quality without the luxury premium.

Winner: Longines — deeper heritage and historically higher positioning

Movement Comparison

Both brands use ETA movements (owned by Swatch Group), but with different levels of modification and finishing. Longines receives more extensively modified calibers with better finishing, silicon hairsprings (antimagnetic), and often superior accuracy.

Tissot's Powermatic 80 offers an impressive 80-hour power reserve at its price point—hard to beat for value. However, the movements are more basic in decoration and features.

Winner: Longines — better movement finishing and more advanced features

Build Quality & Finishing

Longines

Longines watches feature noticeably better finishing than Tissot. Expect properly polished and brushed surfaces with clean transitions, well-applied indices, and attention to details like dial textures and hand finishing. The jump in quality from Tissot is visible to even casual observers.

Tissot

Tissot offers excellent quality for its price point, but finishing is more industrial. You'll see good materials (sapphire crystal, quality steel), but less refinement in details. The PRX, for example, is beautifully designed but shows its price point in close inspection of finishing.

Winner: Longines — noticeably superior finishing justifies higher price

Price Comparison

Tissot offers remarkable value—the PRX Powermatic 80 at grey market prices (~$569) is arguably the best value in Swiss automatics. Longines costs 2-3x more but delivers meaningfully better finishing and heritage prestige.

Winner: Tissot — unbeatable value, especially at grey market prices

Iconic Models Compared

Longines Master Collection vs Tissot Le Locle

Both are elegant dress watches. The Master Collection ($2,100+) offers complications like annual calendar, moonphase, and chronograph, with silicon hairsprings and beautiful finishing. The Le Locle Powermatic ($750) provides classic dress watch styling with 80-hour power reserve at a fraction of the price.

Choose Master Collection: For complications, better finishing, and more prestigious heritage

Choose Le Locle: For excellent value when a simple dress watch is all you need

Longines Spirit vs Tissot PRX

Different vibes entirely. The Spirit ($2,300+) channels vintage aviation with COSC certification and silicon hairspring. The PRX ($725/$569 grey) offers 1970s integrated bracelet styling that's become an Instagram phenomenon.

These aren't direct competitors—they serve different aesthetics—but both represent their respective brand's best current offerings.

Longines HydroConquest vs Tissot Seastar

The HydroConquest ($1,500-2,500) offers ceramic bezel options, 300m water resistance, and superior finishing. The Seastar ($675-900) provides 300m water resistance and Powermatic 80 movement at less than half the price.

For serious divers who care about finishing: HydroConquest. For capable dive watches at exceptional value: Seastar.

Who Should Buy Longines?

• You want Swiss heritage with a prestigious name
• Finishing and attention to detail matter to you
• You want complications (moonphase, annual calendar, chronograph)
• You're looking for a "step up" from Tissot/Hamilton tier
• You appreciate silicon hairspring technology
• You want a watch that looks expensive (because it is)

Who Should Buy Tissot?

• You want Swiss quality at the lowest possible price
• The PRX design aesthetic appeals to you
• You want 80-hour power reserve under $1,000
• You're buying your first Swiss automatic
• Grey market discounts fit your buying strategy
• You prioritize movement specs over finishing

Grey Market Value

Both brands offer significant grey market discounts:

• Longines: 30-40% off retail at Jomashop. Master Collection ~$1,500 (retail $2,400).
• Tissot: 20-30% off retail. PRX Powermatic ~$569 (retail $725).

Tissot's lower retail means smaller absolute discounts, but the percentage savings are similar. Longines at grey market prices starts to compete more directly with brands like TAG Heuer and entry Omega.

Value Retention

Neither brand is an investment play:

• Longines: 55-65% retention. Heritage pieces (Legend Diver, vintage reissues) hold best.
• Tissot: 40-55% retention. PRX has held well due to popularity.

If you buy at grey market prices, your actual loss when selling is minimized for both brands. These are watches to wear and enjoy, not flip for profit.