Let’s clear this up from the jump:
Mathey-Tissot is not the same brand as Tissot (the Swatch Group giant).
Different company. Different history. Different game entirely.
That said? Mathey-Tissot actually has some real vintage credibility — especially in chronographs. It’s one of those brands that’s bounced between relevance and obscurity, but occasionally punches way above its name recognition.
If you know where to look, you’ll find Valjoux-powered vintage chronos, mid-century military watches, and some modern designs with decent value — though the brand’s current output is mostly quartz-heavy and off the radar.
Founded in 1886 in Les Ponts-de-Martel, Switzerland, Mathey-Tissot built its early reputation as a maker of precision repeater watches and chronographs. They weren’t a marketing powerhouse, but they supplied watches to military clients, including the U.S. Army during both World Wars, and earned a rep as a reliable movement assembler and private-label partner.
They produced for others, co-signed dials, and quietly worked behind the scenes — kind of like a Swiss OEM before that was a buzzword.
By the 1940s–70s, Mathey-Tissot was known for its chronographs, often housing Valjoux 92 and 23 series movements — the same kind of internals found in early Heuers and Rolex Daytonas.
Post-quartz crisis? They faded hard.
Today, the brand name is still active, producing mostly affordable quartz and mechanical watches, with a small but loyal niche audience.
These watches are often underpriced for the quality of the movement — especially in clean condition with original dials.
This isn’t a flex brand. It’s a deep-cut vintage chrono play for movement nerds and design hounds.
The current Mathey-Tissot lineup includes:
The quality today is hit-or-miss — serviceable, but mostly fashion-tier production for entry-level buyers.
The collector takeaway? Skip the modern catalog. Hunt the vintage pieces.
Mathey-Tissot is one of those brands you almost forget about — until you find a clean Valjoux 23 chrono with that name on the dial. Then you remember exactly why it matters.
I’ve handled Mathey chronos that felt every bit as well-built as early Heuers. I’ve sold WWII-era field watches that were rugged, accurate, and cool without trying. And yeah, I’ve also seen more than a few modern quartz pieces that felt like gas station giveaways.
But if you stay vintage?
There are still some absolute winners hiding behind this name.
If you’re collecting for movement, value, and history — and you’re not afraid of a brand with uneven modern output — Mathey-Tissot might surprise you.
Delray Watch occasionally sources vintage Mathey-Tissot watches — especially Valjoux chronographs and mid-century military pieces.
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