Tissot: The Story of a Watch Company

by Estelle Fallet

Small-format paperback history of the Tissot watch company published on the 50th anniversary of its founding. Illsutrated. Originally published in French.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

279 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Martin, I stand with ISRAEL · Rating 1 out of 5]

Move on. Nothing to see here.

[Victor Ricardo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This work, of extensive research, shows that it has a lot of potential. However, it is a difficult and un-engaging read which actually serves as an injustice to the simple, exquisite and elegant nature of the Tissot brand. I started reading it and felt unmotivated to carry on; this is why it has taken me years to finish it. It is possible that some charm and fluidity may have been lost through the process of translation as this text was not originally written in English.

[Hon Lady Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm only writing this because I got annoyed with all the bad reviews. There's some strange expectation that a little booklet that came with a watch (detailing a bit of the history of the company in a historical-fiction manner) ought be written as a Booker Prize winner.

It's not and it needn't be.

"A watch is an object linked to emotion - the emotion of the instant, like an unexpected gift; the emotion of an object; the emotion of time, which passes, never to return. The watch as a time-keeper? The watch as a functional object? I don't think this is true of me personally, but I have the feeling that the object on my wrist is perpetuating a tradition, time-honoured skills, even a mentality, the sources of which are unknown to me."

Thus this book steps on stage, to take the reader of a short little journey through the history of horology and the Tissot company, at their source in the historical Neuchâtel canton of Switzerland, the home of the watch industry. It's a quick, light read for horology fans, it made me want to research more about how watches work, I rather enjoyed it.

[Chris Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel ridiculous writing this review. My enjoyment of this book is partly based on the relative dearth of decent books on the history of watchmaking. In many ways, this book is simply an extended pamphlet for Tissot on the occasion of the company's 150th anniversary. Having said that - and being obsessed with the trials and winding trails of ordinary engineering and the history of watchmaking - I couldn't put this book down. The writing is variable, the history is romanticised, the cloak-and-dagger machinations of company mergers and the extraordinary financial control ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse exercises over the market ignored, and the horological details simplified -but I loved it regardless. I'm aware that such a review might reveal little more than my own psychological profile and nerdish temperament; so be it.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this booklet with a recent Tissot watch purchase. It's a history of the Tissot family and company and where they fit in the world of Swiss watchmaking. It was written to commemorate the 150 year anniversary of Tissot back in 2003. The book could have been much shorter. While trying to make a history book seem more interesting and less dry, the author embellished it with their own stories of traveling the watchmaking towns in Switzerland. This in turn made it more of a burden than it would have already been to read. Even though I appreciate the Tissot company and the quality of (most) Swiss watches, this book didn't do much to enrich my life. I did however, find the pictures of old advertising enlightening and nostalgic. Other than that, I was glad when it was over.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a book about a watches factory. Well, I just couldn't get interested in it. Didn't finish it.

[Paul Dominici · Rating 1 out of 5]

300 Page infomercial.

[Geoff Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little book. I would like a follow up with deeper insights into the development and ongoing development of watches like the T-Touch line, the Navigator, the two timer, and the various new frontiers watches - the astrolon, idea, rock, wood etc watches - and any learnings that were carried on into future products or research.

[Stefan Chocapic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a story about Tissot and a lot of french names in it.

[Mir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every new owner of Tissot watch will received this book as complimentary when you bought the Tissot watch.

Reading the book from the author point of view, it will tell you about the history of Tissot, from how it was founded to its present day which is was the year 2002 when the book was written which is to commemorate the 150 years anniversary of Tissot.

The author when at great length by visiting the factory, meeting with Director as well as interviewing the person(s) which their life revolves around Tissot. It does in a way make you wants to visit the place to seen how your watch come to existence.

From the way the book was written, it filled with evidence of Tissot marketing instruments from poster, advertisement and etc. However, it fails to intrigue the reader which is evident in the construction of the sentences. I suppose the portrayal of the author point of view may be lost in translation.

It kind of feels reading history textbook, which is lack of excitement, dull and plainly boring.

[Berat Onur Ersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A romantic read on history of Tissot watches.
Most enjoying and informative parts were those people having extreme experiences with their durable Tissot watches and those of infomative passages explaining historical turn arounds of the company.

This book does not tell the story of the watch company in an ecyclopedia kind of way but through the eyes of an enthusiast visiting factories and collecting information about Tissot family, production though years, Swiss production culture and innovation.

If you are a watch enthusiast or you like to read history of a family-owned business, you'll like this one.

[Owen]

It came with my new watch, cleverly disguised in the over-large but beautiful and surprising box.
The book was dry and hard to get into. I only persevered to see it through, as Tissot was good enough to give me a copy. I doubt that anybody would buy a copy.
Given the accuracy of the subject, I was amazed to find a number of errors in the text! Proof reading appears to have been less accurate than Tissot might have expected!

[Sai Theagaraj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever taken a minute to wonder how much science, technology, research, innovation, art and years of evolution has gone into making the small mini wonder decorating your wrist? This is one book that makes you stop and wonder. Happen to find this booklet in an abandoned Tissot box. Happy to know so much more about my favorite watch brand.
The book could have been edited well and the content could have been more coherent in its organisation. Slightly lacks in brevity and clarity.

[Camille Taboulot · Rating 2 out of 5]

J’ai apprécié la présence de ce livre dans la boîte de ma montre Tissot achetée cet été. Il était très intéressant d’en apprendre davantage sur la marque mais je dois préciser que le petit format et les lignes serrées ont parfois rendus la lecture fastidieuse. Cependant, lecture intéressante pour quiconque s’intéresse à la marque et à l’horlogerie !

[Kim Zinkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

It came with the watch...I'm a bit surprised it is listed on this site. An interesting read about Tissot and Swiss watchmaking.

[ACJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I forgot how weird translated French reads.

[Alicia Yeng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book came together when I purchased my first Tissot watch more than a decade ago. I didn't know about the book until very much later. One day as I was wiping the room furniture, I tilted the box backward, it suddenly slid out from a hidden compartment (at the base). It is good to know how my favourite watch brand started out, the challenges the company went through, how they care for their staff through few rounds of economy depression.

[Stivvan Centin · Rating 3 out of 5]

European, Documentary | Actual Rating 2.8/ 5
Tags: History, POV, Time.

This was a surprising fun little read.

I was working on a project involving in watches at the time I discovered this book, so I decided to buy this at a local antique book foundry, just for the fucks of it.

I didn’t expect much, considering the bad reviews I saw, but I was pleasantly surprised by the history it offered and the how many instances it related to the real world and the watch industry.

Not a book for all, but for people interested in the brief history of Swiss watchmaking.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have much preferred a simple book on the history of the company. The novel style is so odd and confusing, and I didnt like it at all.
I did appreciate the images and photographs but honestly preferred reading the wikipedia page.

[Master Couch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cheerfully written book

[Luís · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely boring and heavy. Some interesting pictures.

[Nadim Kibria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I most certainly would like a Tissot after reading this

[Mohammed Alshehhi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very badly written booklet, Not engaging at all.
The photos in black & white are not appealing.
Could not finished the book.