The new and vibrant Tissot Heritage Memphis Limited Edition collection is a re-release of an extraordinary series of neo-Bauhaus watches released by the Swiss watch manufacturer back in the late 1980’s. Originally designed by Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass, the Tissot Memphis had a unique appeal characterised by a thrilling mix of geometric shapes and colours. Now, the bold aesthetics are revived once more in a pair of 41mm men’s watches and two 34mm women’s models.
To appreciate the appeal of the new Tissot Heritage Memphis Limited Edition collection, one must first throw their mind back to the 80’s, an era of big hair, extreme fashions and New Wave, punk rock music. It was also during this time that computer design had become more accessible with artists creating funky prints for jumpsuits and geometric shapes for use in home interiors. One Milan-based collective known as the Memphis Group did just that, creating postmodern architecture and furniture from 1980 to 1987. Heading the group was Italian designer Ettore Sottsass who designed his very first timepiece with Tissot in 1988: The Tissot Memphis.
Incredibly close in design to the original 1988 model, the new series of Tissot Heritage Memphis watches come alive with instantly legible dials, perfectly round case shapes and a unique disc at the centre of the dial which replaces the traditional seconds hand. Of course, alongside their retro aesthetics, the quartet of limited edition watches for men and women have been significantly improved with modern advancements including domed sapphire crystal glass and Swiss ETA PreciDrive quartz movements.
Out of the four variants to choose from, our favourite has to be reference T1344103705100, the 41mm men’s model dressed in a black PVD. Its colourway is the closest to the original Tissot Memphis but reversed, with a matching black dial and white indicators. The other men’s model under reference T1344102701100 boasts a stainless steel case with a rose gold PVD bezel and a white dial with contrasting black accents. For women, there are also two choices, both measuring to 34mm in diameter. The first reference, T134210270110, is similarly dressed in rose gold PVD with a white dial while the Tissot Heritage Memphis Ladies model T1342101701100 is kept understated in pure stainless steel.
The Tissot Heritage Memphis Limited Edition watches continue to celebrate their heritage with a stunning engraved case back detailed with a stylised graphic design just like those that the Memphis Group became renowned for. The abstract squiggles are paired with several engravings for the specifications of the watch including the water resistant rating of 50 metres and the limited edition status. The men’s Tissot Heritage Memphis watches are limited to 2,000 pieces each while the women’s models are part of a 1,700 piece run. Each Tissot Memphis limited edition also comes with an additional strap that can be easily swapped over thanks to their quick-release mechanism.
We have no doubt that watch collectors will plunge for these pop culture phenomenon’s, while everyday watch wearers may not see the appeal. Regardless, we love the quirkiness of these designs and at a starting price of £315, you can’t really go wrong. For more information on the Tissot Heritage Memphis Limited Edition collection and where to order your own, head over to the Jura Watches website here.
Specifications: Tissot Heritage Memphis Limited Edition Watches (T1344103705100, T1344102701100, T134210270110, T1342101701100)
- Case Size: 41mm or 32mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel with rose gold PVD or black PVD
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Case Back: Closed
- Crown: Non screw locked
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Movement: ETA PreciDrive quartz
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Dial: Black or white
- Strap: Leather
- Buckle: Pin
- RRP: Starting from £315
- Limited Edition: 2,000 pieces (Men’s) 1,700 pieces (Womens)
- Release Date: Available now
