The Tissot Heritage Navigator 1973, a 1970s style chronograph that celebrates precision, power and a racing legacy, has been re-issued as a limited edition watch at the Zimson store. Only 15 of these watches have been made available in India.
The Navigator’s design was inspired from Swiss racer Loris Kessel, who drove six Formula One (F1) races between 1976-77, explains K Shakeel, director, Zimson Times, at their showroom in T Nagar. Its design has intricate detailing that reflects the complexity of an F1 car. “With enthusiasts keen about the heritage value of a watch, this timepiece is recognised as one by a large segment of the market. It is a memorable gifting option, and caters to the tastes of vintage aficionados as well as racing connoisseurs,” says Shakeel, adding that the watch has been redesigned to meet contemporary standards as well.
Tissot Heritage Navigator 1973
He then slips on microfibre gloves before carefully unwrapping the box that contains the Navigator.
A quick shake sets the ETA Valjoux 7753 whirring — the engine that powers the Navigator — and places the clock in motion.
- It was Tissot that promoted Kessel’s rise to Formula One (The Swiss watchmakers have also allied with, among others, the marquee rally racing team Alpine in the 1960s and 1970s). In 2018, Tissot rekindled its relationship with the Kessel family by becoming the official timekeeper for Kessel Classic — a classic cars dealership chain founded by Loris Kessel, and which also has a racing division that participates in vintage car races like the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique and the F1 Grand Prix Monte Carlo Historique.
He says, “The perforated straps are symbolic of the car steering wheel, and the black overstitched calfskin strap is a reproduction of the one the brand had invented and patented in the 1960s.” Interestingly, this watch is bigger than the original but still retains Tissot’s earlier logo.
Orange chronograph hands along with silver dials that contrast with black counters form the Panda effect that manifests the spirit of racing timepieces.
Priced at ₹1,30,000, the Tissot Heritage Navigator 1973 is available exclusively at Zimson showrooms.
