The author of the following review has already talked about another sample of Mathey-Tissot products. Naturally, there was also a brief description of the brand itself. Therefore, here we will limit ourselves to the briefest information about the brand.
First of all, Mathey-Tissot is undeniably and fully Swiss Made. The company was founded in 1886 in the Swiss town of Le Pont-de-Martel (municipality of Neuchâtel, near Le Locle), where it remains to this day. Mathey-Tissot watches are products of a basic price level, but, of course, of genuine Swiss quality (by the way, the brand firmly maintains its independence, not being part of any groups).
Both quartz and mechanical watches are produced. In the above-mentioned previous review we talked about one of the quartz models, today we’ll look at classical mechanics. So, Mathey-Tissot Vintage Automatic.
First impression
As you know, people are greeted by their clothes. In this regard, everything is in order: a neat, well-executed box in anthracite gray tones both outside and inside, marked “Mathey-Tissot Swiss Made”. The pad is the same color, and around it is the watch itself. Attached to the bracelet, on a twisted thread (also gray), is a nice nameplate, which reads in silver and gray: “Mathey-Tissot Geneve 1886,” plus the company logo, reminiscent of a jet plane.
Mechanism, functionality
As noted above, this is classical mechanics. The model is powered by the automatic caliber STP 1-11. The abbreviation STP stands for Swiss Technology Production - this is a company that is part of the American (of course, international) Fossil group and is located in the town of Manno (canton of Ticino, Lugano district, Switzerland). The company was founded in 2008, and the year of birth of the STP 1-11 caliber is 2012.
This mechanism is a clone of the workhorse ETA 2824-2. The differences are minimal: one more stone was added (the total number of stones became 26) and the mainspring was slightly lengthened (as a result, the power reserve increased to 44 hours).
Otherwise, everything is familiar: 28800 vibrations per hour, diameter 25,6 mm, thickness 4,6 mm, Incabloc shockproof system, Nivaflex alloy mainspring, double-acting self-winding rotor, manual winding option, stop-second option. The stated accuracy is -0/+15 seconds per day, which corresponds to the “Top” configuration of the prototype (ETA 2824-2).
Well, both accuracy and power reserve are subject to express testing. More on this towards the end of the review.
We also note that the availability of maintenance of the mechanism is undoubted, and many positive responses speak about its reliability and reliability. In addition, the design of the caliber provides for the impossibility of “rewinding” (damage to the mainspring as a result of thoughtless rotation of the crown).
As for the functions, they, as it should be with such an “engine,” are the most essential - hours, minutes, seconds and date.
Case, bracelet
The body is made of 316L stainless steel. Let us remind you: thanks to the increased proportion of molybdenum, this steel is especially resistant to corrosion, high temperatures and aggressive environments. It is not without reason that in English-language sources it is often called Marine grade stainless.
Here we will immediately point out some “marine” nuance in the design of the case, namely the fluted bezel (black, thanks to PVD coating) with diving markings and a protected and screw-down fluted crown. However, this is rather a stylization, since the bezel is not rotatable. Our model is not a diving model, having a waterproof body of 100 m - decent, but, of course, insufficient for diving.
At the same time, one cannot fail to note the complete convenience of operations with the crown. Unscrewing and screwing, pulling out one or two clicks (to set the date and time, respectively) - all this does not cause problems. We would like to thank the authors of the model for both the cyclops lens above the date aperture and the sapphire coating of the mineral glass. We also mention the Mathey-Tissot logo on the end of the crown and the “1886” reminder on the side of the case at the 9 o’clock position.
Next - to the back cover. It is transparent, as befits a high-quality Swiss mechanical watch of this kind. The careful finishing of the caliber parts is visible, and standard inscriptions are applied around the perimeter (material, waterproof, “Switzerland”).
The bracelet is also made of 316L steel, three-row. The folding clasp bears the same “airplane” logo. The watch sits absolutely comfortably on the hand.
In conclusion, the case diameter is 42 mm, the thickness is 12 mm, the weight of the assembled watch (installed using an electronic scale) is 152 g.
Clock face
It is a solid black color, against the background of which white indices (circles, baguettes at the “6” and “9” o’clock positions, a conditionally diving triangle at “12 o’clock”) and skeletonized hour hands (all with the same corporate logo) stand out clearly. and a minute, as well as a second, topped with a circle. All this is luminescent. Readability in complete darkness is ideal. It is worth especially noting that the latter applies equally to the second hand, which is not so common in such models.
There is no digitization of the markers, but this is not necessary (in addition, the bezel is digitized). The date is also perfectly readable (although not in the dark, but this is not required) - thanks to the lens already mentioned above.
Full order.
Express testing results
The measurements, of course, are not professional, but what they are...
So, during the day the clock moved forward by 9 seconds, that is, it met the declared accuracy (remember, -0/+10). This is a good indicator, corresponding to the “Top grade” level according to the authoritative ETA classification.
Once fully wound (about 30 turns of the crown until resistance to further rotation is felt), the watch has completed 45 hours and 12 minutes, which even exceeds the guaranteed 44-hour power reserve.
Not the slightest complaint.
Conclusion
Model Mathey-Tissot Vintage Automatic, ref. H901ATN is a stylish and respectable example of the Swiss watch industry, which is at the same time at a “democratic” price level - about 90 thousand rubles. (around 1 thousand Swiss francs). The target audience is primarily seen as energetic men who profess a healthy lifestyle and love for sports style. However, the watch will not seem out of place either in the office or even at any special ceremony.
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