Designed for persons leading an active lifestyle, the 2015 Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar (ref. T091.420.46.041.00) is a mild face-lift of the 2014 model. The refreshed exterior is more convincing. The list of functions is more or less the same. It’s awesome in its simplicity, yet not rugged enough to compete with a G-Shock. While the piece’s altimeter is good for 4478 meters, you probably don’t want to take it mountain-climbing.
It’s been more than 15 years since the Swiss watchmaker introduced its first T-Touch model. Backed by all technological might of the Swatch Group, the watch used ETA’s then-new E40.301 quartz caliber. Its exterior was designed so well that even now the timepiece doesn’t look dated.
Since those apocryphal times, the tactile-operated wristwatch survived a great number of permutations. The last major step was taken back in 2014 when Tissot updated the collection with the sporty T-Touch Expert Solar model. For the year 2015, the brand refreshes the family with a new Expert Solar variation.
Functionality
The 2015 watch uses the same ETA caliber E84.301 electronic module, so technical specs are also the same. Besides an altimeter, the list of functions includes:
-a barometer with weather forecast;
-two alarms;
-perpetual calendar;
-and lots of chronograph modes that will allow you to measure all sorts of time intervals. There is even a regatta timer for those into competitive sailing.
Exterior
The new model features an even more energetic -even muscular- exterior. One thing that you will notice at first glance is proportions.
At 45 mm in width, the 2015 T-Touch Expert Solar is about a millimeter wider than the 2014 model. Yet, it is now two millimeters thinner measuring 13 mm top to bottom vs. 15 millimeters of the older model. As a result, you get a timepiece that not only looks leaner but is also more comfortable to wear.
The second is, of course, cleaner dial and slightly reworked rotating bezel. The four Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock on the bezel are gone. In their place, there are four Latin letters W, S, E and S that stand for the parts of the world. Yes, you can use the watch as a primitive compass: a nice feature to have in case of emergency.
Versatility
When it comes to casual use, the watch is not as versatile as I would like it to be.
I have seen videos where guys tried to pose with different 2014 models in their “formal” suits and it wasn’t great. A combination of an inexpensive suit with an affordable sporty watch doesn’t look particularly convincing to me. Trying to wear this gadget with anything but casual attire would definitely be a mistake. Don’t do that. Just don’t.
Wearing it with a more casual dress (like jeans, and waxed cotton jacked) would be a total win, though. Machine-brushed and sand-blasted titanium will look great with the rugged texture of cotton.
See also: Tissot T-Race Touch Aluminium
Photos: Tissot
WWR verdict
Originality 4/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4.5/5
2015 Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar (ref. T091.420.46.041.00) specification
Price: €950
Movement: Quartz, ETA caliber E84.301, solar powered, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, perpetual calendar with day and week display, two alarms, dual time, weather with relative and absolute air pressure, altimeter (4478 m) with altitude difference, chronograph with lap times and split times, logbook, compass, timer, regatta countdown, azimuth, back-lighting
Case: Titanium with black PVD elements
Bezel and Crown: Black plastic
Shape: Tonneau
Bezel shape: Round
Size: 45.00 mm
Case height: 13.00 mm
Dial: Bi-color, analog/digital with monochromatic LCD display
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: White, luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Titanium bracelet / Leather strap on Velcro strip / Rubber band
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective, touch-sensitive
Back: Solid
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Bought my first mechanical watch in 1986 and it took me ten more years to realize that I have a problem: at some point in time watches became my passion. Well, it could be worse.