Tissot PR 516 wristwatch, 1972

Last Updated on April 12, 2025 by Jason

I must admit that I am a big fan of the Tissot brand. My first “real” (not quartz) Swiss watch was a Tissot Visodate, which I purchased new in 2018. For this reason, I have always been interested in any Tissot that crosses my path, and this vintage Tissot PR 516 wristwatch caught my attention. Sadly, it was sold when I came across it, but I decided to do some research on the model.

A brief history of Tissot

Tissot was founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile Tissot in Le Locle, Switzerland. They established a small workshop attached to the family home. They purchased blank movements and assembled watches by hand. In the late nineteenth century, Tissot expanded beyond Switzerland. Charles-Émile travelled to Russia to promote the brand. He built a strong reputation in the Russian Empire. Tissot’s quality and style impressed customers abroad. As a result, Tissot’s reputation grew, earning international recognition.

By the early twentieth century, Tissot had become a pioneer in Swiss watchmaking. In 1915, Tissot began producing its own movements, including wristwatches. This innovation marked a major turning point for the company. The global financial collapse in 1929 shook the watch industry. In 1930, Tissot merged with Omega SA and Lemania to form SSIH (Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère). Despite the merger, Tissot maintained its unique identity and continued to produce watches under its own name. This included one of the first anti-magnetic wristwatches in 1930.

Tissot has long been associated with timekeeping in sport, starting as early as 1938, when a Tissot watch was used to time a series of Alpine ski races. Tissot has also had close ties with other sports, from the Davis Cup in 1957 to its close timing partnerships with bicycling and motorcycling championships. In the 1950s and 1960s, Tissot introduced several brands, such as Seastar, Visodate and the PR 516. These brands still exist today as part of Tissot’s heritage range. During the 1980s, Tissot joined the Swatch Group, the world’s largest watch producer and distributor.

Tissot PR 516

In 1958, Tissot received a signed photograph from Swiss racing driver Harry Zweifel. The image came with a note stating, “My Tissot is at my side in every race”. This endorsement inspired Tissot’s watchmakers to design a wristwatch that could withstand the rigours of motor racing. Consequently, they set out to create a timepiece that was both robust and reliable.

In 1965, Tissot introduced the PR 516, a tough and sporty tool watch built for the race track. The brand claims the “PR” stands for “Particularly Robust” or sometimes “Precision and Resistance.” The three numerals denote the 16th model in the 5th series. Models marked with a “5” boasted waterproof features. Initially, the PR 516 range offered both mechanical and automatic models with three hands, available in stainless steel or gold.

That same year, Tissot revamped its marketing strategy for the PR 516. The brand chose to link the watch with motor sport by introducing open-worked metal bracelets with perforations. This design was inspired by the leather-bound steering wheel rims of the time. Major advertising campaigns boosted the watch’s popularity. As a result, this led to new versions being introduced like the PR 516 GL for Grand Luxe and chronographs. In addition, an alarm version was introduced in 1972.

In 1973, Roger Moore wore a Tissot PR 516 in “Live and Let Die”, making it the only Tissot timepiece ever featured in a James Bond film. His watch appeared in the thrilling speedboat chase. This particular PR 516 is widely believed to have been the actor’s own personal watch. It shared the screen with a specially modified Rolex Submariner.

Tissot, 1972

The watch has a 21-jewel 784-2 automatic movement, which keeps time well. The movement is fully signed, and it has the serial number, which dates it back to 1972. The watch measures 34mm in width, excluding the signed winding crown and 35mm high, excluding the single, central lug. The case is stainless steel, and it is in good condition with just light surface marks, nothing more than what would be considered patina.

The inside of the screw on case back is signed with the Tissot name and logo. The acrylic crystal is in good condition. The signed dial is in its original finish with original hands, centre seconds hand and date display. The watch comes on the original Tissot bracelet with a signed clasp. The bracelet is in good condition with just general light surface marks. The PR 516 was considered waterproof. However, as with any vintage watch, be kept away from water and moisture.

Tissot 784-2 movement

The Tissot 784-2 automatic movement was produced from 1968 to 1972. It included an excenter regulator and was also equipped with optional plastic bushings instead of dial screws. The movement is automatic, providing a sweep second function and a date function. The date is advanced by moving the hands past midnight rather than a quickset mechanism. In addition, it includes Incabloc shock protection, a frequency of 18000 vph and a power reserve of 45 hours. As well as the PR 516, this movement is found in vintage Tissot models such as various Seastar and Visodate watches.

Summary

This Tissot PR 516 wristwatch is in great condition. It would have been an ideal addition to my collection. However, some other lucky collector snapped it up before I had the chance.