The Powermatic 80 movement - a masterpiece of the watchmaker's art

The Powermatic 80 movement stands out as one of the most important innovations in the field of mechanical movements. Developed in close co-operation between Tissot and ETA, one of the most experienced and renowned movement manufacturers in the world, it combines centuries of tradition with state-of-the-art technology. The movement is now a centrepiece in the collections of Tissot and other Swatch Group brands. In addition to Tissot, brands such as Certina, Mido and Hamilton also use the movement, although under different names. Here you can find out more about the history, the technical advantages and the different names under which this exceptional movement is known.

The history of the Powermatic 80 movement

The birth of the Powermatic 80 dates back to 2013, when Tissot and ETA introduced the movement as part of their journey to make mechanical movements more accessible and powerful. The idea was to create a movement that not only celebrated traditional watchmaking, but also met modern demands for precision and power reserve. With an impressive power reserve of 80 hours, the Powermatic 80 set new standards in its category. Originally designed for Tissot models, the movement quickly found its way into the watches of other Swatch Group brands due to its reliability and performance.

Different names for the same movement

Although the basic structure of the Powermatic 80 is used by several Swatch Group brands, the manufacturers use different names for the movement in order to strengthen their respective brand identities:

• Tissot: the brand sticks with the Powermatic 80 name to emphasise the link to its history of innovation.
• Mido: Mido uses the term Calibre 80 to refer to the same movement. The name also refers to the 80-hour power reserve, but is deliberately marketed differently in order to differentiate the brand image.
• Hamilton: the watch brand uses the Powermatic 80 movement under the names Calibre H-10 and H-30, which actually put the movement in the specific context of the Hamilton models and highlight different functions.
• Certina: like Tissot, Certina remains faithful to the Powermatic 80 designation to underline the link with this advanced technology.

Technical innovations and advantages of the Powermatic 80

• Increased power reserve: The most outstanding feature of the Powermatic 80 is its power reserve of 80 hours, which is twice as long as that of many traditional automatic movements. This performance is made possible by a reduced frequency (21’600 vibrations per hour) and the use of modern materials such as a Nivachron balance spring, which is known for its resistance to magnetic fields and stability.
• Precision and longevity: The movement offers outstanding precision, which is further enhanced by modern silicon technology. Silicon escapements and optimised fine adjustments increase resistance to shocks and magnetic influences, which offers decisive advantages in an increasingly digitalised world.
• ABrand-specific customisations: Although the basic framework of the Powermatic 80 is the same for Tissot, Mido, Hamilton and Certina, the brands make specific customisations to adapt the movements to their respective models. These adaptations include, for example, different decorations, fine-tuning adjustments or model-specific functions, all of which underline the versatility of the Powermatic 80 movement.
• Affordable price for high quality: in line with the philosophy of Tissot and the other brands to produce quality watches at affordable prices, the Powermatic 80 is also designed to attract a wide range of buyers. This combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology makes it possible to offer watches equipped with this movement at an attractive price-quality ratio.

The Powermatic 80 - An example of modern watchmaking craftsmanship

The Powermatic 80 represents a successful combination of traditional watchmaking and modern technological innovation. It belongs to a category of mechanical movements that impress with their precision, reliability and robustness. Whether under the name Powermatic 80, Calibre 80 or H-10, the movement has established itself as a benchmark against which other automatic movements must be measured. Watches equipped with this movement are the ideal choice for people who value reliability and performance without giving up on traditional watchmaking. The Powermatic 80 is more than just a movement, it is a symbol of constant evolution and progress in the world of mechanical watches.