Forty years after Tissot shocked the watch world by carving timepieces from Alpine granite, the Swiss brand is bringing back its cult classic RockWatch. The new limited edition draws its material directly from the Jungfrau, one of Switzerland’s most iconic 4,000-meter peaks. It’s a move that feels fresh, especially if you’re a retro collector looking for something beyond the usual steel sports watches.
The original 1985 RockWatch was born during Tissot’s boldest experimental period, requiring custom machinery and a 7-million Swiss franc investment to turn chunks of Alpine stone into wearable timepieces. That risk paid off spectacularly — over 800,000 units sold before production ended in the ’90s.
Carved From the Heart of the Alps
The new RockWatch maintains the core concept that made the original so compelling: a case and dial hewn from actually Swiss granite. But there’s a story behind this specific stone. The granite comes from the Jungfrau tunnel renovation project, meaning each watch literally carries a piece of one of Europe’s most legendary peaks. At 38mm, it’s fortunately been sized up from the original’s diminutive 33mm case.
What strikes you immediately is how the granite flows seamlessly from case to dial. There’s no traditional bezel transition here; instead, the stone curves inward to create a subtle bowl effect that plays beautifully with light. Tissot kept the original’s minimalist approach with just a printed logo and stick hands, though they’ve swapped the colorful red and yellow hands for refined nickel-plated ones.
The construction remains faithful to the 1985 blueprint. A stainless steel caseback houses the quartz movement with an end-of-life indicator and provides the mounting points for the leather strap, preventing stress on the stone itself. Tissot has upgraded the crystal to sapphire with anti-reflective coating — a welcome improvement over the original’s mineral glass.
A Textural Experience
Beyond the visual aesthetic, there’s something unique about wearing stone on your wrist. Likewise, each of the 999 pieces will have its own distinct grain pattern, so no two are identical thanks to the natural variations in the stone.
At 8.7mm thick, it maintains a surprisingly slim profile despite the unconventional material. The black leather strap complements the stone’s natural tones.
Spec Sheet
Model: Tissot RockWatch
Case Material: Granite from Jungfrau Mountain
Case Size: 38mm
Case Thickness: 8.7mm
Crystal: Domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Movement: ETA quartz with EOL indicator
Water Resistance: Unspecified
Strap: Black leather with pin buckle
Limited Edition?: Yes, 999
Pricing & Availability
The RockWatch is priced at $1,225 and limited to just 999 numbered pieces worldwide. In the U.S., you’ll find it exclusively at Tissot’s 5th Avenue Boutique in New York, with availability rolling out to select dealers.
Recap
Tissot RockWatch Revival 2025
The Tissot RockWatch returns after 40 years with a modern 38mm case carved from granite sourced directly from Switzerland’s famous Jungfrau peak, trading the original’s colorful hands for refined nickel-plated ones in a limited run of 999 pieces.
