New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

A place to discuss other watch-brands
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by gaf1958 »

I own a number of Tissot watches, yet none of them are less than 40 years old; they are all of the vintage where Tissot and Omega shared so much of their DNA. Most movements and some cases were shared between them; they often relied on dials and hand styles to differentiate the two, along with a some individual models or “trademark” design cues - the lyre lugs, long used on Omega’s Speedmaster and other models, being a good example.

Tissot of course had their own case styles for some lines - the Navigator/Seastar ranges for example had some unique cases through the years. The cushion case used on this early seventies Seastar is one; it’s used in a number of Tissot models from the seventies (when else?). At 42mm it was, like the moonwatch, quite large for the times. Due to the internal bezel, the 38.5mm crystal on this one is perhaps the largest of any watch I’ve owned, and the cushion case means it’s hard to miss on the wrist due to its visually large appearance. Nonetheless, it’s still reasonably thin for a mechanical chrono.

The title suggests shared DNA between this and the moonwatch. It’s clearly not on the unique case that’s shared, but the movement. It runs Tissot’s 871 movement, a Tissot badged 1281 from Lemania (the other Omega-Tissot company of the time). The closely related Lemania 1281 and the CH27 (Omega 321 ) were developed at roughly the same time (early forties) and were both in production up the the very end of the 1960s, so not quite 3 decades of production. My understanding is that the 1281 was cheaper to make by dint of using cam-switching rather than column lever, but they are otherwise very similar. In the sixties, the 1281 was modified to become the 1873 (861) with some elements of the 321 being used - from looking at it, the hammer and hammer spring components (chrono hands reset mechanism).

It seems more accurate to say that this movement is the precursor of the 861, rather than the 321 being the direct ancestor of the 861. At a glance, the bridges make this look more like the 321 than the 861, but they’re all fairly closely related. This movement is most closely related to the two register (no hour register) Tissot 872/Lemania 1277 which can be found in the red dialled Tissot Navigator that I also own. The movement was fully serviced prior to the watch going up for sale.

I don’t know what Tissot mixed with their tritium lume in the 70s, but it often goes a dark brown colour with age; this is one goes with the flow. Shine a very bright torch on it and you get maybe 3-5 seconds of faint glow before … nothing. So typical tritium of the age.

The dial and hands are otherwise very good. The case has a few marks, none of them terribly deep, I’d say the large crystal has been the thing copping most hits. Fortunately it’s a typical Tissot acrylic of the time; very thick and capable of taking a whack or three with plenty of material to allow it to be polished out. Round it out with long 22mm lugs, where the holes are closer to the case than the lug ends meaning that it wears better that I thought it would - L2L is a -not short- 51.5mm, but the spring bar to spring bar measurement is closer to 45mm, meaning that overly thick straps are probably a no-go with this. I’m going to raid the straps drawers to see if I can find a suitable 22mm CW Bader or Omega deployant strap and clasp.

Time for some photos ….

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
These users thanked the author gaf1958 for the post (total 3):
gannetArtfulRogerBident
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
User avatar
tikkathree
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 7362
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:21 am
CW-watches: 1
Location: East Anglia - arr 'aas right buh

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by tikkathree »

Well that's a fine old chrono and no mistake!

That's very much my cup of tea so I'll keep coming back to your photos for another look. The dial layout with the tachy scale (who ever made use of one of them?) being inboard of the hour markers adds a nice balance.

You've yet to tell us anything of how long you'd been looking for this model and where/how you came upon it so hopefully that will follow and as I tear myself away I'm thinking that 22mm lugs describe an unusually big watch for the time this would have been made.

Nice, very nice.
C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
gannet
Forumgod
Forumgod
Posts: 937
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2020 4:21 pm
CW-watches: 5

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by gannet »

That's a lovely looking watch, a great find.
-- gannet.
C65 AMGT 1VEV | C60 Trident Chronograph 300 | C7 Rapide Automatic | C7 Rapide Quartz | C3 Malvern Chronograph MK II -Limited Edition
User avatar
Amor Vincit Omnia
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 33788
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:34 pm
CW-watches: 4
Location: Norfolk, UK

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

That’s a lovely watch, Gary, and thank you for the insight into the history of the movements. Great knowledge and research!
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Soporsche
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 1921
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2016 10:22 am
CW-watches: 9
Location: London

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by Soporsche »

Another great find Gary, like Steve, I appreciate the research and history you provide with your new acquisitions. Its quite a beast in size by 70s standards but all the better for it. Congrats and wear in good health. 👍
Stephen

A few CWs and other brands
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by gaf1958 »

tikkathree wrote:Well that's a fine old chrono and no mistake!

…snip…

You've yet to tell us anything of how long you'd been looking for this model and where/how you came upon it so hopefully that will follow ….snip….
Thanks Pete. I’ve been looking at a couple of Tissots; this model and the dual crown time only model that uses the same basic case. I prefer the chronograph, but if I’d found a good dual crown model, I certainly wouldn’t have turned my nose up at it.

The chronograph, in particular, comes in many different configurations, with the hour markers and tachymeter in different locations and frequently in different colours (most commonly red). The minute track also varies, with some only having second markers or some other variation. Such was the seventies, when model consistency was a future concept for most makers… I’m happy with the combo I settled on, it’s a bit different from my other chronographs.

As to how long I’ve been looking, I’d say seriously 4 to 5 months, but casually a bit longer. Originally I was looking at the smaller 2 register calibre 872 Tissots. I found a NOS red dialled one, which was serviced maybe a year ago by an Omega specialist. Continuing the casual search, I later found a very cheap 2 register Tissot (running a 1340 Lemania with 6 and 9 o’clock dials) which is currently being serviced and refurbished by the same watchmaker, with the all up cost being maybe slightly below the price of a good looking one with no service history. I’ll probably do a short write up on it when I eventually get it back - Omega has a shortage of mainsprings at the moment and it, of course, uses a shared mainspring with the Omega 1040.

This latest model was also on my radar during that previous search, but a decent example didn’t come up until I saw this one locally (from a Brisbane dealer, 100km away from me, 5 or 10 minutes drive from where I used to live). Enquired, waited a day or two, then got an offer with a really good price reduction, so I bought it.
These users thanked the author gaf1958 for the post:
tikkathree
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Lavaine
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3918
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:45 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: Alberta, Canada (The Great White North, eh!)

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by Lavaine »

That's a fine looking watch, and there is no doubt of the shared DNA between the Tissot and the Speedmaster Mk2. I dare say the Tissot is more interesting, if for no other reason than the relative rarity of it.
2017 CW Forum "Darwin Award" winner.
User avatar
Thegreyman
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12065
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 3:45 pm
CW-watches: 6
Location: Edinburgh

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by Thegreyman »

Another fine addition to your collection Gary.

Very interesting to read about the shared DNA between Tissot and Omega.
Patrick

C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)

Some others + a few on the way
User avatar
ajax87
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3451
Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:47 am
CW-watches: 7
Location: West Michigan, USA

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by ajax87 »

You’re on a roll, aren’t you? I really like this one. Looks a bit like a bloated tie fighter from the back.
Alex
C5A Mk1|C65 316L LE|C63 36mm, GMT, Elite, 2023ish FLE|C1 Moonglow|Omega Seamaster DeVille|Speedmaster Racing|MoonSwatch Mercury|RZE Endeavor|Tudor BB58 925
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by gaf1958 »

ajax87 wrote:You’re on a roll, aren’t you? I really like this one. Looks a bit like a bloated tie fighter from the back.
I had to look that one up! Even after seeing all the movies multiple times I’ve managed to come through it all with knowing they were called TIE fighters… Image

And yes, it does…
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by gaf1958 »

I pulled out all of the old (read vintage) Tissot and Omega straps I have in the watch drawers. Most are 20mm which counts them out and the 22s are all of the shouldered design where the second last link is wider than the end link. With the long lugs on this, they simply won’t fit; they were all designed to fit to cases with very short, or sometimes hidden lugs.

I went a bit further afield and my thoughts settled on the Seiko turtle. The end link snap is very similar to this but a quick look showed that the solid end link ones I had may not fit well without some creatively bent spring bars… but then I remembered that my vintage turtle was fitted with the old style “pressed tin” end links. Took it off and it fits quite well without any bending of bars.

As this was only a test fit, I didn’t want to do any fettling of the end links to make them fit better (which they could) so I ordered a cheapish president style bracelet for a turtle, with folded end links of course that I would do all the fettling with. Hopefully I won’t overdo it, but I wore this all day yesterday and it works really well.

It’s heading into summer here, so a bracelet is definitely in order if I can swing it…

Image

Image
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Soporsche
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 1921
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2016 10:22 am
CW-watches: 9
Location: London

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by Soporsche »

Was going to suggest a BoR style bracelet may look great with this but you're well ahead of the game as usual Gary. The one you have fitted has a somewhat similar style and works very well.
Out of curiosity are the pin holes high up the lugs close to the watch head as looks like they may be on the original pics. Struck me that this may make fitting end links quite tricky with the flattish case end profile, but appears I may be wrong from the experimental fitting.

Edit- just re-read origin post where you describe exactly how the lugs/holes are designed. Promise to pay more attention in future.
Stephen

A few CWs and other brands
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by gaf1958 »

Soporsche wrote:Edit- just re-read origin post where you describe exactly how the lugs/holes are designed. Promise to pay more attention in future.
7 out 10 for the original work, but 10 out of 10 for the revised version. ;)
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

Re: New In - Tissot Seastar Chrono: Moonwatch Cousin

Post by gaf1958 »

So the aforementioned president style bracelet has arrived, complete with two different sets of end links, one of which was a good, but not perfect match for the lug holes. A moderate amount of fettling was needed to obtain a decent fit and I’m quite pleased with the results. It fits *so* much better than the OEM end links do (someone was asleep when they signed off for their design) and IMO looks age appropriate. Great for summer, but there are still plenty of 22mm straps in the drawers for winter.

Image

Image

Image

Image
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post