When Tissot revives its RockWatch in 2025, it’s not just nostalgia—this remake offers something more grounded (literally). With a case made from genuine granite from Switzerland’s Jungfrau Mountain, this watch catches the eye in a way few reissues do, and it evidences Tissot’s willingness to experiment with materials beyond steel and gold facades.
Heritage Meets Contemporary Expectations
Tissot has long occupied an interesting space in the watch world—historically Swiss, well priced, and unafraid to innovate with materials and concepts. Back in 1985, the original RockWatch pushed boundaries by employing Alpine granite for its case—an idea that made it cultish, quirky, and memorable. Now, four decades later, Tissot brings back the RockWatch, not as a purely retro relic, but as a limited-edition piece that nods to its origins while making small but important updates so it fits into modern life.
Technical Craft with Natural Flair
The revived RockWatch keeps the 38 mm diameter case and dial crafted from real Jungfrau granite, giving each piece a unique pattern of grey, brown and white marbling. The crystal is domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating, ensuring legibility and refinement above the rugged appearance. Inside it beats a quartz calibre with End-of-Life indicator, which keeps the watch slim, lightweight and low maintenance—crucial, given the density of stone. The hands have been reworked: gone are the gaudy coloured hands of the original, replaced by baton nickel-plated ones, giving a more restrained, formal edge.
Design & Use: Who’s It For, Where It Works
This RockWatch lives somewhere between the casual collector looking for texture and character, and someone who values Swiss heritage with a twist. It won’t be for somebody who demands mechanical complexity or high water resistance—it’s not a diver or a sports tool. Rather, it’s a watch for everyday wear in urban settings, paired with smart-casual attire, a blazer, perhaps with jeans, or as a conversation starter when one wants something distinct but not over-the-top. The natural stone dial and case make each watch subtly different, an attribute that appeals to people who appreciate uniqueness rather than mass uniformity.
My Take, Price & Availability
In my view, Tissot has done well to respect the spirit of the RockWatch without turning it into a collector’s caricature. The updates are thoughtful: restrained hands, lightweight construction, sapphire crystal—all make it a watch that can be worn even in settings that aren’t “novelty showcase.” It’s not perfect for those wanting haute horlogerie, but for its category, it strikes a good balance of style, novelty and wearability. Priced at CHF 495 (approx. $550 USD) for a limited run of 999 pieces, its value rests more in material and design than dial complications. It will be available through select Tissot boutiques, with distribution varying by region. And if you are a fan of Tissot, check out their latest Ballade COSC Powermatic, an affordable dress watch with a Rolex flair !
