Don't miss the next drop
In the landscape of 1950s watchmaking, Tissot holds a special and, in our opinion, often underrated position. As the partner company to Omega (under the SSIH alliance), Tissot produced timepieces of exceptional quality, often sharing movements and technology with their more famous sibling. This watch is a perfect example of that shared history, hailing from the dawn of the self-winding era.
The “hook” of this watch is its charming and historically significant movement. This is not a modern, full-rotor automatic. This is a “bumper,” or “hammer,” automatic. You can see the weighted mass only swings about 120 degrees, “bumping” off two springs on its journey. This was the first generation of automatic movements, a fascinating technological bridge to the full-rotor systems that would come later. On the wrist, it provides a unique tactile feedback—a gentle “thud” as the rotor does its work, reminding you that there’s a living machine on your wrist.
This particular example, a Reference 6590, is a “survivor” in the truest sense. The stainless steel case is classic 1950s, with sharp, elegant lugs. But the dial is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, a true “tropical.” What was once a simple silver dial has, over 70 years of life, aged into a stunning, mottled tapestry of yellow, cream, and olive green. This is the kind of patina that is impossible to fake and gives the watch a character that is entirely its own.
The dial’s layout is also highly desirable, featuring an “Explorer-style” configuration of applied even-numbered Arabic numerals, mixed with faceted arrowhead markers. The original dauphine hands have aged to a dark, contrasting hue, completing the look. Paired with an olive-green strap that perfectly picks up the tones in the dial, this Tissot is an absolute knockout. It’s a wearable piece of history with a story to tell, and frankly, it’s just wildly cool.
