Tissot Serial Number Lookup: Date Your Watch
Tissot — Swiss watchmaker founded in Le Locle in 1853, now part of the Swatch Group.
Tissot Serial Number Lookup: Date & Authenticate Your Watch
Tissot has been crafting Swiss watches since 1853, and their serial numbers are one of the most reliable tools for dating a vintage timepiece. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply curious about your watch’s history, this guide will help you identify the production year of any Tissot watch made between 1853 and 1983.
Table of Contents
- Where to Find Your Tissot Serial Number
- How to Use This Chart
- How to Read a Tissot Serial Number
- Tissot Serial Number Chart (1853–1983)
- Important Notes
- Tissot Movement Identification Guide
- Notable Vintage Tissot Models
- About Tissot: A Brief History
- Buying or Selling a Vintage Tissot?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Shop Vintage Watches
- Watch Guides & Resources
Where to Find Your Tissot Serial Number
The serial number on a Tissot watch is typically found in one of these locations:
- On the caseback — engraved or stamped on the outside or inside of the case back
- On the movement — visible when the caseback is opened, stamped on the movement plate
- On the case lug — some vintage models have the serial on the side of the case between the lugs
How to Use This Chart
Find your serial number, then locate the matching range in the left column. The right column shows the estimated production year. Note that serial numbers were not always assigned in strict chronological order, so treat results as an estimate within 1–2 years.
How to Read a Tissot Serial Number
A Tissot serial number is a purely sequential production number — it does not encode the year, model, or movement type the way some other brands do. To date your Tissot watch by serial number, simply match the number to the range in the chart below. Key rules to know:
- The serial is not the model number — Tissot model references (e.g. PR 516, Seastar) are separate from the serial.
- Case serial vs. movement serial — on many vintage Tissots, the case and movement carry different serials. The case serial is used for dating.
- ±1–2 year margin — serials were assigned in batches, not day by day. Treat all dates as estimates.
- Post-1983 watches — Tissot transitioned to a new system after 1983. If your serial is outside the chart ranges, your watch is likely from the modern era.
Serviced vintage Tissot PR 516 Chronograph with Lemania 873 movement — one of the most collectible Tissot references.
Tissot Serial Number Chart (1853–1983)
| Serial Number Range | Production Year |
|---|---|
| 1 – 3,056 | 1853 – 1856 |
| 3,057 – 19,904 | 1857 – 1870 |
| 19,905 – 36,187 | 1871 – 1875 |
| 36,188 – 51,101 | 1876 – 1880 |
| 51,102 – 79,299 | 1881 – 1885 |
| 79,300 – 96,836 | 1886 – 1890 |
| 96,837 – 100,200 | 1891 – 1896 |
| 100,201 – 109,600 | 1897 – 1906 |
| 109,601 – 151,325 | 1907 – 1910 |
| 151,326 – 158,206 | 1911 – 1912 |
| 158,207 – 183,778 | 1913 – 1916 |
| 183,779 – 212,866 | 1917 – 1918 |
| 212,867 – 239,446 | 1919 – 1920 |
| 239,447 – 301,644 | 1921 – 1922 |
| 301,645 – 350,622 | 1923 – 1924 |
| 350,623 – 390,984 | 1925 – 1926 |
| 390,985 – 465,000 | 1927 – 1928 |
| 465,001 – 534,500 | 1929 – 1930 |
| 534,501 – 565,400 | 1931 – 1933 |
| 565,401 – 611,700 | 1934 – 1936 |
| 611,701 – 827,500 | 1937 – 1939 |
| 827,501 – 1,052,800 | 1940 |
| 1,052,801 – 1,128,616 | 1941 |
| 1,128,617 – 1,188,976 | 1942 |
| 1,188,977 – 1,324,418 | 1943 |
| 1,324,419 – 1,450,276 | 1944 |
| 1,450,277 – 1,549,720 | 1945 |
| 1,549,721 – 1,675,720 | 1946 |
| 1,675,721 – 1,746,530 | 1947 |
| 1,746,531 – 1,940,110 | 1948 |
| 1,940,111 – 2,140,000 | 1949 |
| 2,140,001 – 2,293,210 | 1950 |
| 2,293,211 – 2,432,999 | 1951 |
| 2,433,000 – 2,621,999 | 1952 |
| 2,622,000 – 2,810,999 | 1953 |
| 2,811,000 – 3,118,999 | 1954 |
| 3,119,000 – 3,289,999 | 1955 |
| 3,290,000 – 3,476,999 | 1956 |
| 3,477,000 – 3,713,999 | 1957 |
| 3,714,000 – 3,999,999 | 1958 |
| 4,000,000 – 4,334,999 | 1959 |
| 4,335,000 – 4,559,999 | 1960 |
| 4,560,000 – 4,867,999 | 1961 |
| 4,868,000 – 5,197,999 | 1962 |
| 5,198,000 – 5,932,999 | 1963 |
| 5,933,000 – 6,498,999 | 1964 |
| 6,499,000 – 7,039,999 | 1965 |
| 7,040,000 – 8,280,999 | 1966 |
| 8,281,000 – 8,864,999 | 1967 |
| 8,865,000 – 9,910,999 | 1968 |
| 9,911,000 – 10,492,999 | 1969 |
| 10,493,000 – 11,594,999 | 1970 |
| 11,595,000 – 13,046,119 | 1971 |
| 13,046,120 – 13,996,999 | 1972 |
| 13,997,000 – 16,173,999 | 1973 |
| 16,174,000 – 16,811,999 | 1974 |
| 16,812,000 – 18,902,999 | 1975 |
| 18,903,000 – 19,397,999 | 1976 |
| 19,398,000 – 20,030,999 | 1977 |
| 20,031,000 – 21,093,999 | 1978 |
| 21,094,000 – 21,515,999 | 1979 |
| 21,516,000 – 22,097,999 | 1980 |
| 22,098,000 – 22,857,999 | 1981 |
| 22,858,000 – 23,238,999 | 1982 |
| 23,239,000 – 23,905,999 | 1983 |
Important Notes on Tissot Serial Numbers
- Serial numbers were not always assigned in strict chronological order — treat dates as estimates within 1–2 years.
- After the late 1970s, Tissot’s serial number system changed significantly. Post-1983 watches may use a different format.
- Some Tissot movements were shared with other Swatch Group brands (ETA movements), so movement serials may differ from case serials.
- If your serial falls outside these ranges, it may be a post-1983 model or a special production run.
Vintage 1960s Tissot Seastar 3-register chronograph with Lemania 1281 movement Picture— a rare and highly collectible reference.
Tissot Movement Identification Guide
Knowing which movement powers your vintage Tissot is key to understanding its value and service needs. Here are the most common calibers found in vintage Tissot watches:
Lemania 873 / Post-861 — Tissot PR 516 Chronograph
A column-wheel chronograph movement used in the PR 516. The same caliber family powered Heuer and Breitling chronographs of the late 1960s. Highly regarded for reliability and repairability.
Lemania 1281 — Tissot Seastar Chronograph
The same movement architecture as the Omega Speedmaster 321 — a 3-register column-wheel chronograph of exceptional quality. Finding a Tissot Seastar with this movement in running condition is increasingly rare.
ETA 2824 / 2836 — Tissot Seastar Seven & Visodate
Reliable Swiss automatic movements used across Tissot’s sport and dress lines from the 1960s–80s. Widely serviced, parts available, excellent daily wearers.
Tissot 781 / 784 — Manual Wind Dress Watches
In-house or ETA-based manual wind calibers found in Tissot’s dress watch lines of the 1950s–60s. Thin, elegant, and well-finished — ideal for slim dress watch collectors.
Vintage 1960s Tissot Seastar 3-register chronograph with Lemania 1281 movement — a rare and highly collectible reference.
Notable Vintage Tissot Models
Tissot produced some of the most technically accomplished and visually distinctive Swiss watches of the 20th century. Here are the most sought-after vintage Tissot models among collectors today:
Tissot PR 516 Chronograph
One of the most collectible Tissot references. The PR 516 Chronograph used the Lemania 873 (post-861) movement — the same caliber family found in Heuer and Breitling chronographs of the era. Gold-plated cases, panda and reverse-panda dials, and excellent build quality make these highly desirable. Serials typically fall in the 8–10 million range (late 1960s).
Tissot Seastar Chronograph
The Seastar 3-register chronograph is among the rarest Tissot references. Powered by the Lemania 1281 — the same movement used in the Omega Speedmaster 321 — these 1960s pieces command serious collector attention. Look for serials in the 5–8 million range.
Tissot Navigator Chronograph
The Navigator is Tissot’s answer to the pilot’s chronograph — bold dials, legible layouts, and robust movements. The gold-plated Navigator Chronograph with sunburst dial is particularly striking and increasingly hard to find in serviced condition.
Tissot Visodate
A classic dress watch from the 1950s–60s, the Visodate features a distinctive date window at 12 o’clock and clean, elegant dials. Powered by reliable ETA-based movements, these are excellent entry-level vintage Tissot pieces with strong collector appeal.
Tissot Seastar Seven
The Seastar Seven was Tissot’s sport and dive-adjacent line of the 1960s–70s. Featuring automatic movements, rotating bezels on some references, and sporty case designs, these represent excellent value for collectors seeking a wearable vintage Swiss sport watch.
Vintage Tissot Navigator Chronograph — gold plated case with striking gold-brown sunburst dial.
About Tissot: A Brief History
Founded in 1853 in Le Locle, Switzerland by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile, Tissot quickly became one of Switzerland’s most prolific watchmakers. By the early 20th century, Tissot was producing millions of movements annually and pioneering innovations like the first mass-produced pocket watch with two time zones and the first anti-magnetic watch (1929). Today, Tissot is part of the Swatch Group and remains one of the world’s best-selling Swiss watch brands.
Vintage Tissot watches — particularly models from the 1950s through 1970s — are increasingly sought after by collectors for their quality Swiss movements, elegant designs, and accessible price points compared to more famous Swiss brands.
Buying or Selling a Vintage Tissot?
At Experts Watches, we’ve been buying, selling, and authenticating vintage Swiss watches since 2000. Every watch we sell goes through our rigorous Certified Pre-Owned Program — movement inspection, timing verification, and full authentication. If you have a vintage Tissot to sell or trade, we’d love to hear from you.
Sell or Trade Your Vintage Tissot — Get a Fair Offer
We actively acquire exceptional vintage Swiss timepieces including Tissot PR 516, Seastar, Navigator, and Visodate references. Get an honest market valuation, a transparent offer, and a seamless process from authentication to payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the serial number on a Tissot watch?
The Tissot serial number is typically found on the caseback (engraved or stamped), on the movement plate when the caseback is opened, or on the side of the case between the lugs on some vintage models.
How do I date my vintage Tissot watch by serial number?
Find your serial number and match it to the range in the chart above. The right column shows the estimated production year. Treat results as estimates within 1–2 years as serials were not always assigned in strict order.
What years does the Tissot serial number chart cover?
Our chart covers Tissot serial numbers from 1853 (the founding year) through 1983, covering the full vintage era of Tissot production.
My serial number isn’t in the chart — what does that mean?
If your serial falls outside these ranges, your watch is likely a post-1983 model, a special production run, or uses a different numbering system. Contact us and we’ll help you identify it.
Are vintage Tissot watches worth buying?
Yes — vintage Tissot watches from the 1950s–1970s offer excellent Swiss movement quality, elegant design, and strong value compared to more famous brands. Models like the PR 516 Chronograph and Seastar are particularly sought after by collectors.
Vintage Tissot Seastar advertisement — featuring the Lemania 1281 chronograph, the same movement used in the Omega Speedmaster 321.
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