Tissot PRX and the Time-Traveling Robot

So, I was at Ditur, the famous Nordic watch shop, just minding my own business getting a new battery, when I saw a glimmer of my childhood. A UFO.

Now, if you're like me, a child of the '70s who spent Saturday mornings glued to a TV, you'll immediately recognize the cosmic combo of Grendizer and Spazer. For the uninitiated, Grendizer is a giant, monster-fighting robot from a classic Japanese anime. And Spazer? That's his trusty flying saucer sidekick. The robot docks with the saucer, and together, they blast off to save the galaxy.

I pointed at the watch with the little UFO on it and asked the sales guy, "What's the deal with the flying saucer?"

He just stared at me. "It's a Tissot watch," he said, "celebrating some Japanese cartoon."

My jaw dropped. "You don't know Grendizer?!" I wanted to scream. How could he not know about this iconic, planet-saving robot? It was like a baker not knowing what flour is. I had to restrain myself from pulling up the '70s theme song on my phone right there in the shop. He'd never understand.

Why is Grendizer on a Watch?

There are two possible answers to this question.

The first, and most compelling, is that Grendizer and Spazer executed a perfect, high-speed landing right on the dial of a 40mm watch. That's a PRX, by the way. Talk about precision.

The second answer is a little more boring, but it's probably the real one. The Tissot PRX is a throwback to the 1970s, a design that's been wildly popular. Tissot's marketing team saw a genius connection: another retro-cool '70s icon. By putting Grendizer on the dial, they're tapping into the hearts of every nerdy kid who grew up watching anime. It’s a clever move designed to grab a very specific audience—us.

The Watch and the Robot

If you've been following the watch world, you'll know that the PRX Powermatic 80 is already a legend. This special edition keeps all the good stuff: the 40mm stainless steel case, the impressive 80-hour power reserve, and the retro-sleek look.

But it adds some very cool, very nerdy details.

• On the deep blue dial, Grendizer’s chest is coated in Super-LumiNova. It glows in the dark, reminding you that there’s a hero lurking on your wrist.
• The seconds hand isn't just a seconds hand; it’s a miniaturized Harken weapon, the same one Grendizer wields.
• The see-through case back shows off the automatic movement, but if you look closely, you’ll see an engraving of the robot himself on the rotor.
• The box the watch comes in is shaped like Spazer, the flying saucer! This is arguably the coolest part of the whole deal. The watch just flew to your door.

This Tissot PRX UFO Robot Grendizer isn't a limited edition, which means we can all get a piece of this childhood nostalgia without fighting in a digital queue. But here's the kicker: it costs about €150 more than the standard model. You're paying for the extra lume, the fancy box, and the pure, unadulterated geek factor.

And while you're paying a premium, let's be clear: strapping this watch on won't give you the ability to synchronize with a mothership or jump to the moon. It’s just a watch. A very, very cool watch. But for a fan like me, who appreciates the perfect execution of this theme, it's almost worth it. Almost. I'm just waiting for them to make one on a normal PRX—then I'd definitely buy it.

The Specs

• Model: Tissot PRX UFO Robot Grendizer - Powermatic 80 (T137.407.11.041.02)
• Case: 40mm, 316L stainless steel
• Movement: Powermatic 80 Swiss automatic, with an 80-hour power reserve
• Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire with antireflective coating
• Cool Features: Super-LumiNova Grendizer bust, Harken-style second hand, engraved rotor, and a Spazer-shaped watch box.
• The Vibe: Retro-cool meets retro-futuristic.