As good as Tissot is, the Swiss watchmaker isn’t particularly known for its large collection of dive watches.
Instead, in the brand’s offer, you will find more timepieces oscillating in the dressy spectrum, as well as quite a few chronograph models.
With that said, Tissot’s Seastar line – dedicated to those who love the ocean – is one of its most iconic collections. In terms of craftsmanship, durability and water resistance capabilities, Seastar timepieces can easily compete with the best divers on the market.
The Tissot Seastar 1000 vs 2000 comparison you are about to read will focus on the two best-selling models from each type. We will look into their similarities as well as their differences, and help you decide which one of these watches better meets your needs.
Tissot Seastar 1000 vs 2000 (Overview)
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Tissot Seastar 2000 vs 1000 (Comparison)
As you have noticed in the comparison table above, the final decision on which Tissot Seastar is better suited for your needs will mainly depend on two things:
- your budget
- the level of water resistance you require
Of course, the two timepieces also differ in terms of style so that might be a contributor as well.
Now, to make the task of picking the right model easier, below find short-but-detailed reviews of both Seastars.
Tissot Seastar 1000 Review
The Seastar 1000 model we picked for the comparison is the current best-seller – T1204071704100 (yes, we wish the model names from Tissot were easier to remember as well).
Having been released in 2018, the watch is still enjoying a lot of attention and is considered the “budget” Seastar now that the Seastar 2000 is in the house. With that said, referring to a $500+ timepiece as budget is a bit of a stretch but, when compared to its more expensive sibling, the Seastar 1000 definitely is.
Movement
The watch is powered by the brand’s in-house automatic movement, the Powermatic 80.1110, which is a workhorse caliber providing up to 80 hours of power reserve.
The movement is based on the popular Swiss caliber, Swiss ETA 2824. It contains 23 jewels and delivers really solid accuracy results – ± 15 seconds/day. Although it’s not unusual for the movement to do much better than that, as reported by some enthusiasts.
Needless to say, Powermatic movements are as long-lasting as they come, and with a bit of proper care, your watch should serve you for decades.
Water Resistance
The “1000” in the model name refers to the water resistance rating of the watch which is, in this case, 1000 feet (or 30 ATM / 300m).
This is quite a good result. However, the disappointing news is that despite the impressive rating, the model isn’t ISO-certified which means it’s not suitable for professional diving.
This is a bit of a shame as the watch definitely has what it takes to withstand some serious underwater abuse but, unfortunately, that’s not something you can do with a clear conscience with Seastar 1000.
Hence, if you’re a professional diver and looking for a timepiece that can serve you well at big depths, you should target Seastar 2000 instead.
Design & Durability
As you can see in the picture, the Seastar 1000 (T1204071704100) is a sporty-looking watch with an elegant touch to it.
The most prominent feature of the watch is its unidirectional bezel which lets you keep track of time spent underwater. The bezel is made from stainless steel and has a black PVD coating which gives it a nice matte look. The case, made from the same material, measures 43mm in diameter which is a pretty standard size for a dive-inspired watch.
On the other hand, the sporty feel of this timepiece is provided by the rubber band which comes with standard buckle closure.
What’s worth noting, the caseback of this model is transparent which allows you to peak at the intricate workings of the Powermatic movement.
Seastar 1000 is also equipped with sapphire crystal – a material that’s second only to diamond in terms of hardness. This means that, unless you’re planning on abusing your watch 24/7, you shouldn’t have to worry about the crystal getting scratched.
When it comes to the dial, Seastar 1000 is available in three colors: black, blue and green. The one we’ve chosen for the comparison is the blue dial version which in our opinion goes really well with the PVD-coated bezel.
The dial is of the index type, meaning it doesn’t feature any numerals. Instead, it has alternating dotted markers and baton indices. All of these, as well as the hands, glow in the dark, ensuring good legibility in low-light conditions.
The date window is located in an unusual 6 o’clock position and, while it’s a useful feature, some might find it a bit disruptive to the dial’s symmetry.
Overall, the design of the Seastar 1000 is very well thought out. The watch looks great and, at the same time, is packed with features that make it a perfect choice for those who enjoy spending time in the water. With that said, it’s not the epitome of elegance, hence, if you’re looking for a dressier option, you should check out the Seastar 2k below.
Tissot Seastar 2000 Review
For a good contrast but also because of the best-seller status, the Seastar 2000 model we picked for the review is T1206071104100.
It’s the freshest addition to the family of Seastars, released in the summer of 2021. The watch is considered a beefed-up version of the original 1000 model and, indeed, it comes with a few improvements.
Movement
While at the first glance it might seem the new Seastar is running on the same engine in the form of Powermatic 80.111, it’s not entirely true.
Tissot equipped the 2000 model with an updated version of the movement which included a patented Nivachron balance spring.
The new balance spring is made from highly anti-magnetic titanium which makes the watch more resistant to magnetic fields.
Created through a partnership between the Swatch Group and Audemars Piguet, the spring is also particularly effective against temperature changes that occur when wearing the watch. It also provides exceptional shock resistance. Naturally, everything said increases the watch’s accuracy.
Water Resistance
A field in which Seastar 2000 blows its predecessor out of the water (pun intended!).
While Seastar 1000 is good for depths up to 1000ft/300m, its successor can withstand water pressure at depths of up to 2000ft/600m (again, hence the name “2000”).
What’s more, Seastar 2000 is a professional diver’s watch, meaning it’s stamped with ISO 6425 certification. To achieve this, the watch had to go through a number of strenuous tests that ensure its high performance amongst professional divers. As proof, you will find the word “Professional” engraved at the 6 o’clock position.
This makes it a perfect choice not only for recreational diving but also for more demanding activities such as deep-sea diving.
Design & Durability
In terms of looks, the Seastar 2000 model we picked is in great contrast with the more sporty 1000.
It comes in a polished stainless steel case with a diameter of 46mm. This size might be more appealing for folks with larger wrists. The black PVD-coated bezel is uni-directional and features a ceramic insert with 60-minute markings. The ceramic part is engraved, which adds a lot of flair to the look (especially when compared to the flat, polished bezel of the Seastar 1000).
Similar to Seastar 1000, the 2000 model has a see-through caseback displaying the workings of the Powermatic movement.
The 3-link bracelet, which is also made from stainless steel, comes with a standard deployant clasp. It’s worth noting that the bracelet on Seastar 2000 is definitely more classy and refined when compared to the one on Seastar 1000.
By now you can already guess that the Seastar 2000 model is by far the more elegant one and it can look just as amazing outside the water as it does underwater.
In terms of the glass, both timepieces offer the same excellent level of scratch and shatter resistance. They both feature a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inside.
Moving on to the dial, we can see that the biggest difference between these two watches is in the pattern. While Seastar 1000 features a pretty simple gradient dial, its successor boasts a stunning wave-pattern dial. Apart from the more fancy background in Seastar 2000, the dials are relatively similar, with the 2000 model also featuring applied indexes and hands with a nice amount of lume on them.
Finally, the Seastar 2000 features the date window in the same position, at 6 o’clock.
Tissot Seastar 1000 vs 2000: Verdict
To sum it all up, it’s pretty clear that Tissot Seastar 2000 is a significant upgrade to the original 1000 model.
The new Seastar is more accurate, more durable, and more elegant. It also comes with a number of features that are essential for professional diving.
So, if you’re looking for an amazing dive watch that will perform well both underwater and on dry land during more formal occasions, Tissot Seastar 2000 is definitely the way to go!
On the other hand, Tissot Seastar 1000 is still an excellent watch in its own right. It’s more affordable, and it might be a better choice for folks with smaller wrists.
As long as you’re not a professional diver, the older model will serve you just as well as the newer one.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope that after reading the Tissot Seastar 1000 vs 2000 comparison, you now have a better idea of which model is likely to be a better fit for you.
As a bonus, below find some of the frequent questions and doubts people interested in this spectacular Tissot collection have.
What does 1000 stand for on the Tissot Seastar 1000?
The number 1000 in the name of this watch refers to its water resistance. The “Seastar 1000” can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 1000 feet, or approximately 300 meters.
What does 2000 stand for on the Tissot Seastar 2000?
Again, the number in the name of the watch corresponds to its water resistance. The “Seastar 2000” can withstand depths of up to 2000 feet, or 600 meters.
What movement is in the Tissot Seastar 1000?
The Tissot Seastar 1000 is powered by the highly-rated Powermatic 80.1110 movement.
What movement is in the Tissot Seastar 2000?
The Tissot Seastar 2000 features the slightly upgraded Powermatic 80.1110 movement which has been enriched with the recently-developed Nivachron balance spring, improving its protection against magnetic fields, extreme temperatures, and, as a result, accuracy.
How big is the Tissot Seastar?
The collection ranges between 43mm and 46mm (measured in the case’s diameter size).
Is Tissot Seastar waterproof?
No, no watches are fully waterproof. Water resistance is always given for a specific depth and time period. The Tissot Seastar 1000 is water-resistant to depths of up to 1000 feet (300 meters). The Tissot Seastar 2000 is water-resistant to depths of up to 2000 feet (600 meters).
What is the difference between Tissot Seastar 1000 and 2000?
As covered in the article, there are quite a few differences between Seastar 1000 and 2000.
In short, Tissot Seastar 2000 is more accurate (thanks to Nivachron balance spring), more durable (higher water resistance rating), and more elegant (all-stainless steel body) than its predecessor. It also comes with a number of features that are essential for professional diving, such as the helium valve.
Last but not least, there’s also a considerable difference in price.
Is Tissot Seastar a good watch?
Absolutely! The Tissot Seastar collection includes really capable dive watches that will perform well both underwater and on dry land.
Not only are these safe to wear during leaps but they also feature high-end movements that guarantee outstanding Swiss accuracy and longevity.
On top of that, most models in the collection come with an elegant design, which makes them a great choice for more formal occasions.
