Tissot PRX 38mm in Damascus Steel: Subtle, Striking, and Just Right

Estimated read time: ~2 minutes.

Just when you thought the Tissot PRX had said everything it needed to, the Le Locle watchmaker unveils a new version that quietly rewrites the rules of one of the world’s most beloved chic sports watches. The latest integrated sports watch design, named the Tissot PRX Damascus Steel, is seismic but straightforward, and is now available in a 38mm Damascus Steel iteration that hits the sweet spot between the current 40mm and 35mm offerings.

Tissot has finally done it. After years of the PRX bouncing between the vintage-leaning 35mm and the bolder 40mm, the brand has dropped a 38mm version that lands with the kind of satisfaction usually reserved for a perfectly aligned hand or a bezel that snaps into place with a clean, confident click. It’s the size many hoped for, but few expected. Suddenly, the Tissot PRX 80 is back in the spotlight, having never really left the stage, and it now has a tighter, sharper and more balanced silhouette.

The modern reinterpretation of the 1970s sports watch, characterised by a tonneau-shaped case, integrated bracelet, raised, sloping bezel, and waffle-pattern dial, became an instant hit when it was first released by the brand in 2021. Tissot has offered the watch in an array of colours, material finishes, sizes, and complications since then, but now the brand has surprised masses of fans with two important evolutions. Alongside a new titanium version, this 38mm model is crafted from Damascus Steel, with an eye-catching dial made from matching material.

The Sweet Spot

The new Tissot PRX Damascus Steel 38mm watch goes far beyond the brand introducing just another dial colour. It has solved a major dilemma for PRX fans with its latest introduction. The intriguing new material is paired with an all-new size. The Tissot PRX 80 has been revolving around new dial colours for some time and is offered in a larger 40mm case and a smaller 35mm case. However, many collectors found themselves stuck between the two—the 40mm feeling too large, and the 35mm too small. This new addition perfectly bridges that gap, satisfying those who were waiting for a size that felt just right.

The Tissot PRX was a certified sensation upon its 2021 release, immediately fulfilling the demand for a stylish integrated sports watch available at a genuinely accessible price point. The initial 40mm steel model, available with classic waffle dials in blue, black, or silver, quickly won fans over with its sharp design and the dependable 80-hour power reserve of the Powermatic movement. However, enthusiasts soon clamoured for a more compact option. Tissot responded brilliantly in 2023 by launching the more compact 35mm Powermatic 80, effectively doubling the collection's appeal. Having since expanded to over 35 distinct references—including sportier chronographs and models that play with materials like a full-gold bezel and a forged carbon case—the brand has explored nearly every avenue. So, where could the Tissot PRX possibly go next? The answer: Damascus Steel.

Tissot may have just hit the proverbial sweet spot with the new Tissot PRX Damascus Steel 38mm. It keeps a solid hold of all the features we love about the PRX Powermatic 80 watch series: a tonneau-shaped case, a sloping bezel, and sapphire crystals on both sides. With the Damascus Steel PRX, however, you get a textured dial that steps away from the familiar waffle pattern we have all come to know and love. Even so, it loses nothing in the way of 1970s-sports-esque style.

The new 38mm size will make many PRX fans happy. A 38mm watch hits the perfect middle ground for nearly any wrist. It’s large enough to display complications clearly and make a statement, yet small enough to remain elegant, versatile, and comfortable under a shirt cuff. This size blends modern presence with classic restraint, offering a balance that suits both casual and formal occasions - proof that sometimes, the perfect fit isn’t about extremes, but about getting it just right.

The New Tissot PRX Damascus Steel 38mm

Sitting nicely between the two current sizes, this new Tissot PRX Damascus Steel 38mm could be considered the perfect fit. The tonneau case is 11.3mm high, and its lug-to-lug measures 43.2mm. Of course, things change on the material front, too, and Damascus steel certainly brings something new to the collection. It consists of multiple types of steel forged together to create unique patterns and formations. No matter how many PRX 80 watches Tissot manufacturers from this material, no two will ever be the same. Tissot uses the material for the bezel, dial, and the pin buckle belonging to the watch’s integrated leather strap, too. The integration of Damascus Steel into the collection shows how versatile the Tissot PRX has become.

The unique formation of the Damascus steel dial serves as its own spectacle, rendering the traditional Clous de Paris or waffle texture unnecessary. The dial speaks for itself, imparting a swirling, hypnotic depth despite its overall simplicity. It’s a captivating paradox: restrained in its minimalist applique arrangement, yet bursting with an organic texture that invites close inspection. Light dances across the steel layers, creating subtle shifts in tone and texture that make the surface feel imperceptibly alive, yet simultaneously frozen in time. This approach confirms that the greatest beauty in horology is often found not in spectacle, but in the compelling subtlety of materials.

For effortless timekeeping in the dark, the slender hour markers and the central hour and minute hands are treated to a generous application of Super-LumiNova. This ensures the hands "pop" in low-light environments, giving the watch practicality to match its style. Completing the display is the date window, positioned in the familiar three o’clock location. The PRX Powermatic 80 Damascus comes fitted with a black cow leather strap, secured by a pin buckle expertly finished in the same intriguing Damascus steel as the case.

Even when rendered in unexpected materials, this new steel sports watch shows that a change in material can do wonders for a sports watch like the PRX platform. Tissot has done very well to avoid breaking any conventions with this new release. Inside the case beats the Powermatic 80 movement. True to its name, it delivers a power reserve of 80 hours. With the capability to run for three days once fully wound, without relying on the wearer’s wrist movement, the Calibre Powermatic 80 features a patented Nivachron balance spring and a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It sits inside a 100M water-resistant, marbled steel case, complete with a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback that showcases its architecture as it performs.

Closing Thoughts

The fundamental appeal of the Tissot PRX has always been rooted in its simplicity and honest value. Currently, no other watch on the market delivers such a powerful blend of integrated steel sports-watch styling, retro nostalgia, and contemporary flair at this price point as the new PRX Powermatic 80 Damascus Steel.

The new Tissot PRX Damascus Steel 38mm is a thoughtfully designed sports-luxe watch that balances proportions, materials, and functionality. Its 38mm case offers a middle ground between smaller vintage-inspired designs and larger contemporary models, while the integrated-lug case and clean dial maintain a strong sense of geometry and legibility. More importantly, Damascus steel adds durability and subtle visual interest without overcomplicating the design. Overall, the new collectable exemplifies how a watch can combine practical wearability with a restrained, coherent aesthetic and still make for a versatile option for a wide range of daily wear scenarios.

All RRPs and 0% finance options are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.