# Tissot PRX quartz vs Powermatic 80

Source: https://lumeandbezel.com/blog/tissot-prx-quartz-vs-powermatic-80
Published: 2026-10-09
Publisher: Lume & Bezel

**Short answer:** The PRX quartz runs on a battery, keeps time more accurately, ticks once per second and costs less. The PRX Powermatic 80 is a self-winding mechanical watch with a smoother sweeping seconds hand and a movement Tissot names for its 80-hour power reserve, at a higher price. Buy the quartz if you want grab-and-go accuracy; buy the Powermatic 80 if you want a mechanical watch.

The Tissot PRX comes in two power options that look almost identical from the front: a battery quartz version and an automatic version using Tissot's Powermatic 80 movement. This page is for buyers deciding which one to get. It covers how the two movements differ in daily use, what the Amazon listings confirm about the automatic models in 35mm and 40mm, and what is not confirmed because no PRX quartz listing is in our product set. It finishes with a clear recommendation for each type of buyer.

## Quartz vs automatic in one minute

A quartz PRX uses a battery and a quartz crystal oscillator. It is very accurate, typically within seconds per month, needs a battery change every few years, and its seconds hand jumps once per second. You can leave it in a drawer for months and it will still show the right time.

An automatic PRX uses a mechanical movement wound by a rotor as you move. Its seconds hand sweeps in small steps, it needs no battery, and it runs as long as it has power in the mainspring. It is less accurate than quartz and benefits from a service every several years. For the bigger picture, see [automatic vs quartz](https://lumeandbezel.com/blog/automatic-vs-quartz-watch).

## What the PRX listings confirm

Our product set includes two automatic PRX listings and no PRX quartz listing. So the table below covers the automatics from their listings, and marks the quartz column as not confirmed rather than filling it from memory. Check Tissot's own spec page for quartz thickness and price before you buy.

|  | PRX Powermatic 80, 35mm | PRX Swiss Automatic, 40mm | PRX quartz |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Movement | Swiss Powermatic 80 automatic | Swiss automatic (caliber not named in listing) | Not confirmed |
| Case size | 35mm | 40mm | Not confirmed |
| Case thickness | 10.93mm | 10.93mm | Not confirmed |
| Case material | 316L stainless steel | 316L stainless steel | Not confirmed |
| Bracelet | Interchangeable quick release, butterfly clasp | Interchangeable, butterfly clasp with push buttons | Not confirmed |
| Water resistance | 10 bar (100m) | 10 bar (100m) | Not confirmed |
| Date | Yes | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Listed price | $795.00 | $850.00 | Not confirmed |

Listing facts only; quartz not in our listings

[See the best Tissot automatic watches](https://lumeandbezel.com/best/best-tissot-automatic-watches)

## Power reserve and the 80 in Powermatic 80

Tissot named the Powermatic 80 for its power reserve of up to 80 hours. That is roughly twice what many entry automatics offer, and it means a fully wound PRX can sit from Friday evening to Monday morning and usually still be running. The two PRX listings here do not print the reserve figure themselves, so the 80-hour number comes from the movement's name and Tissot's published rating.

A quartz PRX has no power reserve in this sense; it runs until the battery is spent. If you rotate several watches and do not want to reset one each time you pick it up, that is a real point for quartz. Read [what is Tissot Powermatic 80](https://lumeandbezel.com/blog/what-is-tissot-powermatic-80) and [power reserve explained](https://lumeandbezel.com/blog/automatic-watch-power-reserve-explained).

## Thickness, sweep and the look on the wrist

Both automatic listings give a case thickness of 10.93mm, the same figure in 35mm and 40mm. Quartz movements are generally thinner than automatic ones, so a quartz PRX is often described as a little slimmer, but we do not have a listing that confirms its thickness. If a millimeter matters for shirt cuffs, check Tissot's spec page.

The seconds hand is the clearest everyday difference. On the quartz it ticks; on the Powermatic 80 it sweeps. Many buyers choose the automatic for that alone. For sizing between 35mm and 40mm, see [Tissot PRX sizes](https://lumeandbezel.com/blog/tissot-prx-sizes) and the [wrist fit calculator](https://lumeandbezel.com/tools/wrist-fit-calculator).

## Price and ownership costs

The PRX quartz is the cheaper entry point to the line. The automatic listings here are $795.00 for the 35mm Powermatic 80 and $850.00 for the 40mm automatic. Over years of ownership, a quartz needs occasional batteries, while an automatic benefits from a periodic service. See [how often to service an automatic watch](https://lumeandbezel.com/blog/how-often-to-service-an-automatic-watch).

If you are mainly buying the PRX for its integrated bracelet design and want to keep cost down, the quartz makes sense. If you want a Swiss mechanical watch you can enjoy for decades, the Powermatic 80 is the one to save for. Wondering if the line is worth it at all? Read [is the Tissot PRX worth it](https://lumeandbezel.com/blog/is-the-tissot-prx-worth-it).

## Frequently asked questions

**Is the PRX quartz worth it over the Powermatic 80?** It is if you value accuracy, a lower price and never having to wind or reset the watch. If you want a mechanical movement and a sweeping seconds hand, the Powermatic 80 is worth the extra cost.

**How long does the PRX Powermatic 80 run off the wrist?** Tissot rates the Powermatic 80 movement at up to 80 hours when fully wound. The two listings here do not print that figure directly.

**Is the PRX waterproof?** Both automatic listings say 10 bar (100m), suitable for short recreational swimming and showering but not diving or snorkeling. See [is the Tissot PRX waterproof](https://lumeandbezel.com/blog/is-the-tissot-prx-waterproof).

**Is the 40mm PRX also a Powermatic 80?** The 40mm listing here says Swiss automatic and does not name the caliber. Tissot sells the 40mm automatic PRX with the Powermatic 80, but confirm the model reference on Tissot's site before you buy.

## Gear guides for this topic

- https://lumeandbezel.com/best/best-tissot-automatic-watches
- https://lumeandbezel.com/best/best-swiss-automatic-watches-under-1000
- https://lumeandbezel.com/best/best-automatic-watches-under-1000