The Tissot Gentleman has been one of the more compelling stories in the entry-level mechanical space since it arrived in 2019, and the brand has now expanded the collection with a new 38mm variant. For a watch that already had a decent following at 40mm, this feels like a logical next step rather than a dramatic reinvention. Whether it’s the right step is worth thinking through.
The Gentleman’s appeal has always rested on how much it delivers for how little it asks. The 40mm model built a reputation as a clean, wearable dress-casual piece that didn’t embarrass itself next to watches twice the price. The 38mm follows the same formula: stainless steel case with brushed and polished finishing, a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and a transparent caseback. Four dial options are available in silver, black, blue, and green, each with a pyramidal sunray finish that gives the watch some visual personality without pushing it into flashy territory. Applied hour markers, dagger hands with Super-LumiNova, and a date window at 3 o’clock round out a layout that’s restrained without being boring.
One thing worth noting on the movement side: the 38mm runs the Powermatic 80 with a Nivachron balance spring, stepping back from the silicon hairspring found in the 40mm. Tissot is transparent about the reason, and practically speaking, Nivachron still delivers solid resistance to magnetism, shocks, and temperature variation. The 80-hour power reserve remains, and for most people wearing this as a daily watch, the distinction may not register. That said, collectors comparing the two closely will notice it, and it’s the kind of detail that deserves mention rather than a footnote.
Pricing comes in at $850, which continues to be one of the stronger arguments for the Tissot Gentleman across any version of the watch. The 38mm ships on a three-link stainless steel bracelet with a quick-release system and is compatible with Tissot’s wider 20mm strap lineup, including leather and Milanese options.
Personally, I think Tissot’s recently released Visodate edges this out for me, but I can see the 38mm Gentleman finding a real audience among both newer collectors and seasoned ones looking for something slim and versatile that won’t demand too much from their wrist or their wallet. Whether the smaller case opens this up to the broader, more fashion-adjacent audience Tissot seems to be eyeing here, or whether it mostly appeals to the same people who were already considering the 40mm, is something only time at retail will answer.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.