Swiss luxury watchmakers have a long history of timing sporting events. Omega for decades has served as the official timekeeper of the Olympics, Longines mans the clocks for horse racing’s Triple Crown, and Rolex keeps track at numerous prestigious tennis, golf, and motorsports events. Tissot also has an established pedigree of athletic timing, as the heritage brand currently serves as the official timing partner of the NBA. Now, the Le Locle watchmaker is traveling back in time to its very first sports timing event with its latest heritage release.
The Tissot Telemeter 1938 chronograph recalls Switzerland’s Villars-sur-Ollon ski racing event that took place in the watch’s eponymous year. The race was timed by Vital Thiébaud using a Tissot chronograph, and now the brand is celebrating 84 years in the sports-timing business with this new vintage-inspired chronograph. The Telemeter 1938 sports classic vintage Tissot styling, right down to the period-correct logo. The bicompax layout features railroad subdials for measuring running seconds and chronograph minutes, along with a trio of scales: a standard minute track, an internal telemeter bezel, and a center-printed spiral tachymeter.
The watch looks extremely similar to the classic Tissot chronographs of the era, but has been updated to reflect modern tastes. Its stainless steel case measures 42mm across and its dial is protected by an AR-coated box sapphire. The watch also houses a modern engine, with an upgraded Valjoux A05.231 featuring an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring and a 68-hour power reserve.
Available in a black or white dial and sold on a brown Italian leather strap, the Tissot Telemeter 1938 chronograph will be available soon from the brand for $1,950.
