Some watches come back around, and you hardly notice. Others, like the Tissot Ballade, re-enter the chat with just enough refinement and value to make you pause mid-scroll and think, “Wait… what?”. Back in the ’90s, the Ballade was one of those quietly dressy Tissot offerings you’d see behind glass—often overlooked in favor of louder, more casual fare.
Now, with the 2025 update, Tissot’s brought it back with a fluted bezel, COSC-certified automatic movements, and dial textures that feel just luxe enough without pretending to be more than they are. That’s a sweet spot Tissot knows well. Offered in both 39mm and 30mm variants, the new Ballade COSC models stay within the lines: polished and brushed steel cases, sapphire crystals, 100 meters of water resistance, and see-through casebacks. In terms of size, we’re looking at just over 10mm in thickness—so these are still svelte enough to sit under a cuff without announcing themselves.
But the biggest shift isn’t in the silhouette—it’s in the details. The addition of a fluted bezel adds a touch of sharpness to what would otherwise be another “nice” office watch. Dials come with an embossed sunray texture that complements the bezel’s geometry, and for this run, Tissot swapped out their typical baton markers for applied Roman numerals—giving the whole thing a more formal posture. Lume is sparse but present (on the hands and near markers), and even the date window gets a framed treatment that elevates the look just enough to feel intentional.
Color options lean classic, with just enough variety to keep things from feeling sterile. The 39mm comes in silver, navy, or dark green dials—all in full steel—as well as a two-tone model with yellow gold PVD on the bezel and bracelet mid-links. The 30mm, clearly aiming at more traditional dress territory, offers silver or icy blue dials, along with a rose gold-accented option.
Powering the Ballade COSC lineup are Tissot’s familiar workhorses: the Powermatic 80 for the 39mm and Powermatic 48 for the 30mm. These are upgraded spins on the ETA 2824-2 and ETA 2671 respectively, both featuring anti-magnetic Nivachron hairsprings and respectable power reserves (80 hours and 48 hours). More importantly, they’re both COSC-certified—so Tissot isn’t just tossing “precision” around for fun.
Each model ships on a five-link steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp and quick-change system, and with pricing between $1,100 and $1,225, the Ballade COSC lineup is a compelling offer. For anyone craving that elusive blend of timeless styling, legitimate chronometric credibility, and wear-it-anywhere polish—you could do a lot worse. And if you’ve been waiting for Tissot to take their more formal offerings seriously again, this might be your moment.
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.
Really nice – love the slightly oversized bezel. Two words tho:
Male fcuking endlinks.
When applying Roman numerals why do so many (all?) makers use “IIII” instead of “IV”?
Very cool entry piece from Tissot. I guess the cost to manufacture female end-links must be very high.