Tissot PR516 38mm: The Racing Watch That Fits Every Wrist

A 1960s Racing Watch, Sized for Real Life

Most racing-inspired watches today are big. Chunky chronographs, 42mm and up, built to look fast rather than wear comfortably.

The Tissot PR516 38mm goes the other way. It takes the look of a 1960s motorsport watch, keeps the bold bezel and sporty dial, and shrinks it into a compact, slim case that sits neatly on almost any wrist. No chronograph pushers, no bulk, just a three-hand automatic with plenty of personality.

It's quietly become one of the most interesting Tissots under $1,000. Here's where it came from, what you get, how it wears, and who it's really for.

The PR516 Story: From "Particularly Robust" to Bond

The PR516 name goes back to 1956. "PR" stood for Particulièrement Robuste, French for "particularly robust," a promise of a tough, everyday watch.

In 1965, the PR516 was redesigned by Lucien Gurtner into the racing-inspired shape most collectors know today, famous for its perforated steel bracelet that echoed the drilled parts of racing cars. Three years later, Tissot added chronograph versions.

The PR516 even had a brush with Hollywood. Roger Moore wore a PR-516 with a date and dive bezel in the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die.

Tissot revived the name in 2024 with new PR516 chronographs, then followed up with the time-and-date PR516 Powermatic 80 that this article covers. In 2026, Tissot added two fresh dial colours, a sign the watch has found its audience.

Tissot PR516 38mm at a Glance

• Case: 38mm stainless steel, brushed with polished side bevels
• Thickness: about 11.2mm
• Lug-to-lug: about 44mm
• Lug width: 20mm
• Bezel: fixed, with a 60-minute scale under a mineral crystal insert
• Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Caseback: see-through, screw-in
• Movement: Tissot Powermatic 80, automatic, with Nivachron balance spring
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Water resistance: 100m
• Price: $825 on steel bracelet; leather-strap versions typically lower

Why It "Fits Every Wrist"

That's a big claim, so let's look at the numbers that back it up.

Diameter alone doesn't decide how a watch wears. Lug-to-lug length does, because it determines whether the watch overhangs your wrist. The PR516's 44mm lug-to-lug is short for a sports watch. Combine that with an 11.2mm height and you get a watch that sits low and stays within the edges of most wrists.

• Under 6.5 inches: one of the best sports watches you can choose. It won't overhang or look oversized.
• 6.5 to 7.25 inches: the sweet spot. It looks balanced and purposeful.
• Over 7.25 inches: it reads as a vintage-sized watch, which suits many people. If you prefer bigger watches, though, you may find it on the small side.

So "every wrist" is a little generous for very large wrists. But for the vast majority of people, it wears beautifully. It's also slim enough to slip under a shirt cuff, which most racing watches can't manage.

If you're comparing sizes across Tissot's range, our guide to what size Tissot PRX to buy explains how case dimensions translate to the wrist.

Design Details That Make It Special

The Fixed 60-Minute Bezel

The black bezel with its 60-minute scale is the PR516's signature. It sits flush with the case and is covered by a mineral crystal insert designed to echo the look of vintage acrylic. It gives the watch its racing character without the bulk of a rotating dive bezel.

Case Finishing

The steel case is mostly brushed, with polished bevels running along the sides. It's a nice touch at this price, catching the light as you move and making the watch look more expensive than it is.

Dials and Straps

Tissot offers several versions, each with its own personality:

• Black dial with red seconds hand on a steel bracelet: the classic, sporty choice
• Black dial with yellow seconds hand on a perforated racing-style leather strap: the most vintage motorsport look
• Blue dial with matching blue bezel on racing leather: bright and casual
• Two-tone version with gold PVD accents: dressier and more retro
• New for 2026: a white dial (ref. T149.407.11.031.00) and a gradient blue dial (ref. T149.407.11.041.00), both at $825

The perforated leather straps are a direct nod to the original 1960s PR516 and its drilled racing-inspired bracelet.

The Powermatic 80 Movement

Inside is the Powermatic 80, the movement behind the PRX Powermatic 80, the Gentleman and the Visodate. It's a heavily upgraded evolution of the ETA 2824 design.

• 80-hour power reserve: leave it on the nightstand from Friday to Monday and it keeps running
• Nivachron balance spring: improved resistance to magnetism from phones and laptops
• Hacking seconds and hand-winding for precise time-setting
• 21,600 vibrations per hour: a slightly slower beat than older movements, which is how it reaches 80 hours

You can watch it work through the see-through caseback. For a deeper comparison of Tissot's movements, read Tissot movements explained.

PR516 38mm vs Other Tissots Under $1,000

Tissot now has several excellent Powermatic 80 watches around the same price. Here's how the PR516 fits in:

• PR516 38mm ($825): the sporty, racing-inspired option, compact and slim
• Gentleman 38mm ($850): the versatile all-rounder with a dressier look. See is the Gentleman 38mm the best Swiss watch under $1,000.
• Visodate 39mm ($850 to $950): the vintage dress watch, slimmer still at 10.45mm. Read Tissot Visodate: a 1950s classic reborn.
• PRX Powermatic 80: the integrated-bracelet 1970s icon. Here's our PRX vs PRX Powermatic 80 comparison.

Pick the PR516 if you want a sporty, racing personality in a small, comfortable package. Pick the Gentleman or Visodate if you lean dressier. Pick the PRX if you love the integrated-bracelet look.

Love the motorsport theme but want something bigger and more mechanical? Tissot's limited T-Race MotoGP automatic chronograph sits at the opposite end of the scale. See is the T-Race MotoGP worth it.

What We'd Change

No watch is perfect, so here's the honest list:

• Mineral bezel insert: it looks vintage, but it's softer than sapphire or ceramic and can scratch over time.
• Fixed bezel: the 60-minute scale is decorative more than practical, since it doesn't rotate for timing.
• Very large wrists: as noted, 38mm may feel small if you're used to bigger sports watches.
• Resale: like most Tissots, it will lose value if you sell it. Our analysis of whether a Tissot is a good investment explains why.

Is the Tissot PR516 38mm Worth It?

Yes, especially if you've struggled to find a sporty watch that doesn't swamp your wrist. For $825, you get Swiss automatic reliability, an 80-hour power reserve, sapphire, 100m of water resistance, a see-through caseback and genuine 1960s racing heritage, all in a size that's comfortable every day.

It's also an excellent first automatic watch, offering something a little different from the obvious PRX. Here's why so many people start with Tissot. And if you're weighing it against similar watches from Tissot's sister brand, our Tissot vs Hamilton comparison helps.

Buying Tips

Buy from Tissot or an authorised retailer to get the full warranty. If you're buying second-hand, read 5 ways to verify a Tissot before buying from a private seller, and once it arrives, run through how to verify your Tissot is genuine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Tissot PR516 Powermatic 80?

The Tissot PR516 Powermatic 80 costs $825 on a steel bracelet in the US. Versions on leather straps typically cost less, and the two-tone model costs more.

How big is the Tissot PR516 38mm?

The Tissot PR516 Powermatic 80 has a 38mm stainless steel case, about 11.2mm thick, with a short lug-to-lug of about 44mm and a 20mm lug width.

What does PR stand for on Tissot watches?

PR stands for Particulièrement Robuste, French for "particularly robust." Tissot first used the name in 1956 for its tough, everyday watches.

Did James Bond wear a Tissot PR516?

Yes. Roger Moore wore a Tissot PR-516 with a date and dive bezel in the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die.

What movement is in the Tissot PR516 38mm?

It uses the Swiss Powermatic 80 automatic movement, with an 80-hour power reserve, a Nivachron balance spring for magnetic resistance, hacking seconds and a date.

What are the new 2026 Tissot PR516 colours?

In 2026, Tissot added a white dial (ref. T149.407.11.031.00) and a gradient blue dial (ref. T149.407.11.041.00) to the PR516 38mm Powermatic 80, both priced at $825.

The Bottom Line

The PR516 38mm proves a racing watch doesn't have to be huge. It's compact, slim and full of 1960s motorsport character, with a Swiss automatic movement that runs all weekend.

If most sports watches feel too big for you, this might be the one that finally fits just right.