Tissot was founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son, Charles-Émile Tissot in Le Locle. The father and son team initially worked out of their house, finding early success with selling pocket watches in the Russian Empire which led to establishing a branch in Moscow.
Alliance with Omega and the Swatch Group
Tissot formed the Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère (SSIH) with Omega and Lemania in 1930 in response to the global financial collapse, resulting in an era of Tissot-Omega watches that bore both companies’ names. By 1999, the partnership became known as the Swatch Group which remains the parent company of both Tissot and Omega to this day. Other stablemates include Blancpain, Breguet, Certina, Glashütte Original, Hamilton, Longines, and Rado.
Early Involvement in Formula 1
While motorsport fans may associate Tissot as the long time Official Timekeeper of MotoGP, the brand has previously enjoyed a rich history in Formula 1. The 1965 release of the Tissot PR 516 served as a prelude, featuring a rally-style strap.
After several years of sponsorships in the World Rally Championship, Tissot made their first appearance in F1 with Loris Kessel in 1976. Kessel entered five races that season with RAM Racing, driving a Brabham BT44.
Tissot F1 Collection
The Tissot F1 collection was launched in 1978, with the brand continuing their involvement in F1 with Ensign (1978), Team Renault (1977-1981), and Lotus Team (1979-1982). Watches from this era consisted of ana-digi and digital models, such as the and the TSX2 F1 and a rare F1-branded digital with an Omega caliber 1640 and touch-sensitive screen.
Return to Formula 1
Tissot would later return to the F1 grid in 1987 on the Brabham BT56 (seemingly sharing logo space with Ricard, a French liquor brand) and in 1994 with the Sauber Mercedes Team, where their logo would be prominently displayed on the engine cover and rear wing of the Sauber C13.
Official Timekeeper of MotoGP
Tissot made the switch to two-wheeled Grand Prix racing in 2001 when it became the Official Timekeeper of MotoGP, a role that continues to this day. In addition to providing an exclusive watch for pole position in each class at each race weekend, Tissot have also since taken on sponsorship of select Grand Prix events as well as MotoGP sprint races starting in 2023.
Thumbnail © MotoGP / YouTube — Watch the video here
V8 MotoGP Chronograph
Based on the V8 Chronograph, Tissot launched its first ever MotoGP edition watch in 2003, A total of 2,003 units were produced, which included a general run of 1,004 pieces (ref. T36.1.686.92) and 999 numbered pieces. The phrase “Official Timekeeper” appears above the 6:00 subdial, and the MotoGP logo features on the case back.
The numbered version came in a collector’s box along with 16 medallions, one for each MotoGP circuit from the 2003 season. The exact reference number cannot currently be confirmed.
According to a 2003 article on Crash.net, number 54 was gifted to five-time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan to commemorate his total number of premier class wins. A second V8 was reportedly reserved for the rider with the highest number of pole positions by the end of the season, who turned out to be Valentino Rossi.
T-Race MotoGP Chronographs
The partnership introduced the T-Race chronograph, which have since served as the platform for Tissot’s official MotoGP models since 2004. Automatic and quartz MotoGP editions have generally been released in most years since. The main exception appears to be 2021, likely due to interruptions caused by COVID-19. The first ever skeleton dial T-Race (ref. T141.462.27.041.00), limited to 2,025 pieces, was introduced to the lineup in 2025.
T-Race MotoGP Rider Editions
Tissot began creating rider edition quartz chronographs starting with Nicky Hayden in 2006. They have generally shared the same platform as the standard MotoGP quartz models, but with different colors and rider-specific case backs. Other riders to have T-Race models have since included Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Thomas Lüthi, Tito Rabat, Bradley Smith, and Stefan Bradl. Seven-time MotoGP race winner Enea Bastianini was also announced as a Tissot ambassador in 2023.
For an archival list, see our full reference table of Tissot T-Race MotoGP and rider edition chronographs.
Hayden was also spotted wearing what appears to be a piece unique Tissot Quadrato chronograph, likely a private gift to commemorate his world championship from 2006. The dial features a large number one between 10 o’clock and the upper left subdial, both of which in either red or orange.
Nicky Hayden wearing what appears to be a custom championship Tissot Quadrato chronograph in 2008. (Photo: © Daniel Lo)
Tissot PRS 516 18k Gold Nicky Hayden Limited Edition
In addition to T-Race models, Tissot has also created a PRS 516 18k gold Nicky Hayden edition (ref. T903.414.16.051.00) to celebrate his world title. Released in late 2006, the rare automatic signature model featured an 18k gold case that housed a Valjoux 7750 movement, came on a crocodile leather band with deployment buckle, and limited to 69 pieces.
A big thank you to Lawrence Wacek for bringing this to our attention.
Partnership with Kessel Racing
Kessel Classics and the Kessel Racing team are owned by the family of Loris Kessel, and Tissot established a partnership with the family operation in 2018. The Swiss brand worked with Loris’s son and brand ambassador Ronnie Kessel to release the Tissot Heritage 1973 Chronograph Limited Edition in 2019. Inspired by the 1973 Tissot Navigator, the Heritage 1973 had a limited run of 1,973 pieces and retains much of the original design. Major updates include a sapphire crystal, a third subdial and relocated date window, and a larger case size.
Following the success of the Heritage 1973, Tissot released a non-limited version in different dial options. While neither models are outright affiliated with Kessel, the strong ties make them worth a mention.
Related Pages
References
https://wornandwound.com/history-tissot/
https://www.tissotwatches.com/media/downloadable/pocket_book_en.pdf
https://wornandwound.com/watches-and-f1-tissot-lotus-f1/
https://www.digital-watch.com/DWL/1work/tissot-2045-tsx2
https://watchcharts.com/listing/4532809-tissot-tsx2-calibre-2045-team-lotus-f1-analog-digital-watch-vintage-model
https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-us/history-carracing.html
https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-en/tissot-world-sport-partnerships
https://www.timezone.com/2003/09/02/new-model-tissot-v8-official-motogp-watch-61303/
https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/72384/1/tissot-launch-motogp-watch
https://picclick.com/Tissot-V8-Chronograph-2003-Motogp-Limited-Edition-Rare-283281322326.html
https://watchexp.com/fr/tissot-t36168692-p334832/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGVivj4xK0g/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGdRKdEx_i1/
https://www.europastar.com/news/1003316469-tissot-ambassador-nicky-hayden-becomes-the-2006.html
https://www.thewatchavenue.com/site/data/EN/catalogs/europastar_11_08/catalog.pdf
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/tissot-t-race-motogp-2012-automatic-chronograph-watch-review/
https://sponsorship.org/tissot-to-continue-as-official-timekeeper-of-motogp/
https://masterhorologer.com/2009/05/07/tissot-2009-t-race-thomas-luthi-limited-edition-quartz-chronograph-steel-case/
https://www.professionaljeweller.com/tissot-welcomes-new-uk-brand-ambassador/
https://nationaljeweler.com/articles/6494-motorcyclist-lorenzo-joins-tissot-team-of-ambassadors
https://www.ethoswatches.com/the-watch-guide/motogp-special-ethos-exclusive-tissot-t-race/
https://www.ethoswatches.com/the-watch-guide/tissot-t-sport-motogp-editions-review/
https://www.se-check.com/tito-rabat-becomes-tissot-ambassador/
https://de.watchpro.com/motogp-wunderkind-enea-bastianini-als-neuer-tissot-botschafter-vorgestellt/
https://www.sportcal.com/sponsorship/tissot-and-dorna-sports-renew-long-standing-motogp-partnership/
https://monochrome-watches.com/first-look-tissot-t-race-moto-gp-75th-anniversary-
chronograph-valjoux-a05-series-live-pics-specs-price/
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/tissot-heritage-1973-chronograph-hands-on
https://monochrome-watches.com/tissot-heritage-1973-chronograph-review-price/