A notable intersection of Swiss watchmaking and Japanese pop culture has produced a new release, the Tissot PRX 40mm UFO Robot Grendizer 50th Anniversary edition. This watch takes one of the most successful watch designs of the past few years, the Tissot PRX, and uses it as a canvas to celebrate a half-century of the iconic mecha anime. The result is a highly specific and nostalgic piece that aims to connect with an audience that grew up with the adventures of Duke Fleed and his giant robot. It's a project that merges a modern horological phenomenon with a vintage cultural one, presented as a limited edition for fans and collectors.
The history of Tissot is rooted in the Swiss Jura mountains, specifically in the town of Le Locle, where it was founded in 1853. From its inception, the brand established a reputation for innovation and producing quality Swiss timepieces at an accessible price point. Over its long history, Tissot has been responsible for numerous advancements, including the first mass-produced pocket watch and the first watch made of plastic. This spirit of balancing traditional craftsmanship with forward-thinking materials and technology has allowed the brand to remain a significant player in the global watch market. Its connection to sports timing and various cultural partnerships has kept it relevant, making it a household name for many entering the world of mechanical watches.
Courtesy of Tissot
The Tissot PRX collection itself is a modern success story built on a historical foundation. Originally launched in the late 1970s, the PRX name stood for "Precise," "Robust," and the Roman numeral "X" signifying ten atmospheres of water resistance. The recent revival of the PRX tapped directly into the resurgent popularity of watches with integrated bracelets, a design language that defined much of 1970s sports watch design. With its sharp lines, slim profile, and distinctive bracelet, the new PRX quickly became a massive commercial success for Tissot, offering a compelling design and a reliable automatic movement at a very competitive price. Its popularity made it an ideal platform for creative collaborations and special editions.
UFO Robot Grendizer, the subject of this collaboration, holds a special place in the history of anime. Created by the legendary artist Go Nagai and first broadcast in 1975, the series was part of the "super robot" genre that captivated audiences worldwide. While it was popular in its native Japan, its cultural impact was arguably even more profound in parts of Europe, particularly France where it was known as "Goldorak," and the Middle East. For an entire generation, Grendizer was a foundational piece of their childhood entertainment, representing heroism, advanced technology, and the fight against evil forces. The show's distinctive art style and compelling narrative created a lasting legacy that continues to resonate with those who grew up watching it.
The creation of the Tissot PRX Grendizer edition was not merely a licensing agreement but a project developed in collaboration with Go Nagai himself. This involvement of the original creator lends a layer of authenticity to the final product, ensuring that the tribute is both respectful and accurate to the source material. It represents a deliberate effort to bridge two distinct fields of artistry: the precision and mechanical engineering of Swiss watchmaking with the imaginative and dynamic world of Japanese anime. The collaboration aims to produce an object that is appreciated not just as a watch, but as a wearable piece of art that celebrates a shared cultural memory.
Courtesy of Tissot
The foundation of the watch is its 40mm case, which follows the now-familiar tonneau shape of the PRX line. Constructed from 316L stainless steel, the entire case is treated with a black PVD coating, giving it a stealthy and modern appearance that aligns with the technological themes of Grendizer. The dimensions are well-proportioned for a contemporary sports watch, measuring 40mm in width, 39.5mm in length, and a relatively slim 10.93mm in thickness. The finishing combines brushed surfaces with polished accents, maintaining the dynamic look of the standard PRX while the all-black colorway provides a dark canvas for the dial's main event.
The dial is the clear centerpiece of this special edition. At first glance, the black surface appears understated, featuring simple bar indices and the Tissot and PRX logos. A closer look reveals the subtle, engraved silhouette of Grendizer's upper torso and head. This design choice allows the watch to be relatively discreet in some lighting conditions. However, the true character of the dial is revealed in low light. The entire silhouette of the robot is filled with Super-LumiNova, causing it to emit a bright green glow in the dark. This feature directly visualizes the heroic robot, making the connection to the anime unmistakable and creating a dramatic effect when transitioning from light to dark environments.
Furthering the tribute are the carefully selected details of the hands. The primary hour and minute hands are baton-style, consistent with the PRX design, and are also treated with luminous material for legibility. The seconds hand, however, is a specific and thoughtful nod to the anime. It is rendered in 18-karat gold, providing a striking contrast against the black dial, and its shape is designed to evoke Grendizer's iconic twin-bladed weapon. This small but significant detail demonstrates a deep understanding of the source material and adds a premium touch to the watch, appealing directly to fans who would recognize the reference immediately.
Beyond the obvious design elements on the dial, the watch includes additional details for the owner to discover. An engraving is hidden within the bezel, a subtle addition that adds another layer to the commemorative nature of the piece. The overall approach is one that balances a bold tribute with a degree of subtlety. While the glowing Grendizer is a strong statement, the all-black case and bracelet and the ghosted dial image allow it to function as a versatile daily watch that only reveals its full identity upon closer inspection or in specific conditions.
Courtesy of Tissot
Powering the watch is the Powermatic 80 caliber, a workhorse automatic movement from Tissot's parent company, Swatch Group. Based on the ETA C07.11, this movement is known for two key features that set it apart in its price category. The first is its extended power reserve of up to 80 hours. This allows the owner to set the watch down for an entire weekend without needing to wind or reset it on Monday morning. The second is the inclusion of a patented Nivachron hairspring, a component that offers increased resistance to magnetism, temperature variations, and shocks, thereby improving the overall timekeeping accuracy and reliability of the watch.
Flipping the watch over reveals a display case back, offering a view of the mechanical movement inside. While the Powermatic 80 is typically finished in an industrial manner, Tissot has customized the rotor for this edition. The oscillating weight is specially engraved to align with the Grendizer theme, completing the tribute and ensuring that the design is cohesive from front to back. The case back is also engraved with essential information, including its status as a limited edition of 1,975 pieces, a number that directly references the year the anime first aired.
The watch is fitted with the PRX's signature integrated bracelet, constructed from stainless steel and finished with the same black PVD coating as the case. This creates a seamless and cohesive look from lug to lug. The bracelet is known for its comfortable wear and fluid articulation, and it secures to the wrist with a butterfly clasp that maintains the clean lines of the design. A practical feature of the modern PRX line is its quick-release spring bar system, allowing the owner to easily swap the bracelet for a compatible strap without the need for special tools, adding a degree of versatility.
A significant part of the appeal for a collector's piece like this is the packaging, and Tissot has created something truly unique. The watch is delivered in a specially designed box that replicates the "Spazer," Grendizer's iconic flying saucer spaceship. This bespoke presentation box elevates the unboxing experience and serves as a display piece in its own right. It underscores the fact that this is not just a watch with a themed dial, but a comprehensive collector's set designed to fully immerse the owner in the world of UFO Robot Grendizer.
Courtesy of Tissot
This watch is aimed squarely at a demographic that holds a deep sense of nostalgia for the media of the 1970s and 1980s. It targets individuals who grew up watching Grendizer and now have the means and interest to acquire a mechanical watch that celebrates a piece of their childhood. The choice of the PRX as the base model is strategic; its popularity and accessible price point make it an easy entry for someone who might be a fan of the anime first and a watch enthusiast second. It’s a piece that sparks conversation and connects the wearer to a shared cultural touchstone.
The release of the Grendizer edition reflects a broader strategy by Tissot to leverage the immense popularity of the PRX platform. By using this successful model as a base for diverse collaborations, the brand can reach new audiences and create excitement beyond the core watch community. It keeps the collection fresh and demonstrates a willingness to engage with different facets of popular culture, from sports to, in this case, classic anime. This approach helps solidify the PRX not just as a single successful design, but as a versatile and enduring family of watches.
The direct involvement of Go Nagai in the watch's development is a crucial element that elevates its status. This ensures that the final design is a faithful and respectful homage, rather than a generic product with a logo attached. For dedicated fans of Grendizer, the creator's endorsement provides a strong sense of authenticity and makes the watch a more meaningful tribute to the series they admire. It signifies a true collaboration between the worlds of horology and manga.
Courtesy of Tissot
The Tissot PRX 40mm UFO Robot Grendizer 50th Anniversary is a limited edition of 1,975 pieces worldwide. It is priced at $825 USD, positioning it as an accessible Swiss automatic watch with a unique and officially licensed design. The launch was scheduled for September 23, with availability limited to exclusive Tissot boutiques and the brand's official website in selected countries, reinforcing its status as a special and sought-after release for a dedicated fanbase.
Case: 316L stainless steel with black PVD coating, Tonneau shape, 40mm width x 39.5mm length, 10.93mm thickness, 100m water resistance, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, glass case back.
Movement: Swiss Made automatic Powermatic 80, up to 80 hours power reserve, patented Nivachron hairspring.
Dial: Black with bar indices and a Super-LumiNova® coated silhouette of Grendizer.
Strap: Black PVD-coated stainless steel integrated bracelet with a butterfly clasp and an interchangeable system.
Price: US$825
Reference Number: T137.407.33.051.01
Notes: Limited to 1,975 pieces. The 18-karat gold seconds hand is inspired by Grendizer's twin-bladed weapon. The watch is presented in a special collector's box shaped like the "Spazer" spaceship.