Tissot’s iconic RockWatch

A Bold Solution to a Critical Challenge

The Swiss watch industry, often known for its tradition and craftsmanship, was thrown into turmoil in the 1970s by the Quartz Crisis. When Seiko introduced battery-powered watches that were more precise and affordable than mechanical watches, many traditional Swiss brands struggled to compete. Tissot, one of Switzerland’s historic watchmakers, found itself searching for new ideas to revive its brand. Enter the Tissot Rock Watch, a groundbreaking design introduced in 1985 that changed the game by embracing an entirely new material: stone.

The Design and Craftsmanship

Designed by Robert Mazlo, it was first introduced to the U.S. market in late 1985 and launched in Switzerland in early 1986. Each Rock Watch was unique, with its natural stone case showcasing different colors and veins, turning every piece into a one-of-a-kind treasure. The Rock Watch stood out not only for its innovative use of materials but also for its thoughtful craftsmanship. Creating a watch case from stone was no small feat, especially in an era dominated by metal and plastic. The design process involved milling the movement and dial face cavities directly into the stone case. This not only reduced the number of components but also made the stone itself an integral part of the watch’s structure.

Tissot used a variety of natural stones to craft these cases. Initially, alpine granite was sourced locally from Swiss mountains, but the company soon expanded its palette to include stones from around the world. Brazilian blue sodalite, Australian pink rhodonite, Kalahari jasper, and even prehistoric coral from the Jura mountains found their way into different models of the Rock Watch. These materials made every watch a unique piece, and the natural patterns of the stone gave each Rock Watch a distinct character.

The Tissot Rock Watch wasn’t just a gimmick, it became a global success, selling over 50,000 units by the end of 1986 and more than 800,000 pieces by 1994. Its bold design has since paved the way for other unconventional watches, influencing the use of materials like ceramics and mother-of-pearl in future timepieces.

Although the Rock Watch was discontinued in the mid-1990s, its impact on the world of horology is undeniable. Today, it remains a collector’s item and a symbol of Swiss ingenuity during one of the most challenging periods in the watch industry’s history.