A Complete Guide to the Tissot Gentleman Automatic 38mm
No Swiss watchmaker has mastered the art of the ultimate daily driver quite like Tissot, whose timepieces wear as handsomely in the office or boardroom as they do in more relaxed environments. The Gentleman collection, first released in 2019 with the Automatic 40mm model, perfectly encapsulates this ethos of effortless everyday wear, balancing classic elegance with contemporary style and functionality.
Launched at the end of March 2026, Tissot now offers a slimmer reimagining of this traditionally 40mm line with the Gentleman Automatic 38mm – a versatile new model which boasts a more compact aesthetic without compromising its original, masculine design. This iteration serves as the ultimate companion to the modern gentleman – one who navigates life with discernment, confidence, and a touch of wit rather than rigid formality.
In this guide, we explore all that the new Gentleman Automatic 38mm has to offer, including a detailed review of its specifications, finishing, and functionality, as well as how this new model compares to existing Tissot watches across some of their most popular collections.
Gentleman Automatic 38mm FAQs
What are the pros of the Tissot Gentleman Automatic 38mm?
The Gentleman Automatic 38mm has been hailed as a welcome expansion of the Gentleman collection, offering versatility for those seeking a slimmer fit with excellent functionality and a timeless, elegant design.
Sizing and proportions: The 38mm diameter offers improved wearability for a wider range of wrists compared to the previous 40mm model.
Versatile design: Strikes a balance between sporty and dressy, suitable for both business and weekend wear.
Excellent functionality: The Gentleman Automatic 38mm features the Powermatic 80, a Swiss automatic movement with an incredible 80-hour power reserve. It is also water-resistant up to 100m, making it an ideal choice for athletic wear.
What is the accuracy of the Tissot Gentleman Automatic 38mm?
The Gentleman Automatic 38mm features a Powermatic 80 movement, which is designed to perform within a range of ±15 seconds per day. Tissot uses automated laser technology to regulate their movements, ensuring excellent out-of-the-box accuracy.
Is the Tissot Gentleman Automatic 38mm a dress watch or a sports watch?
The Gentleman Automatic 38mm can be best described as a versatile daily wearer or “GADA” (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) watch, suitable for a wide range of environments and uses. Whilst it possesses elegant, refined features that pair well with formal and occasion wear, its robust construction and water resistance make it equally suited to casual, active, and everyday use as a true “companion” watch.
Tissot Gentleman vs PRX – which is better?
Both the Tissot Gentleman and Tissot PRX collections offer excellent timepieces at accessible price points. The Gentleman Automatic 38mm offers a refined, timeless aesthetic that performs well in both formal and relaxed environments, whilst the Tissot PRX collection boasts a unique, “retro-future” aesthetic that has made it a hit amongst both enthusiasts and casual collectors. The Gentleman allows the wearer to swap straps as desired, whereas the PRX design has an integrated bracelet.
Tissot Gentleman Automatic 38mm Overview
The new Gentleman Automatic 38mm features the recognisable Gentleman design in a slimmer, more universal sizing, offering versatility and improved wearability for a wider range of wrists. Its case retains the balanced proportions that make the Gentleman such an accessible everyday companion, straightforward and stylish with an aesthetic that can be easily dressed up or down depending on the needs of its wearer.
Case and Construction
The case of the Gentleman Automatic 38mm is crafted from brushed stainless steel, a material prized for its durability, corrosion resistance, and refined appearance. The brushed finishing lends a subtle, matte texture that minimises the appearance of minor scratches whilst maintaining a sophisticated look suitable for both professional and casual settings.
Atop the case sits a polished sloping bezel, which creates an elegant contrast against the brushed surfaces and draws the eye inward towards the dial. This combination of brushed and polished elements is a hallmark of well-considered watch design, adding visual depth without unnecessary complexity. The caseband features a bevelled edge running along its length, further enhancing the watch's refined profile and demonstrating attention to finishing at every angle.
At 38mm in diameter and 11.5mm in thickness, the Gentleman Automatic 38mm sits comfortably within the contemporary sweet spot for versatile timepieces. This sizing ensures the watch maintains a commanding yet unobtrusive presence on the wrist, sliding effortlessly beneath shirt cuffs whilst remaining legible and visually balanced.
Sizing and Proportions
Sizing and proportionality have been carefully considered in the design of the Gentleman Automatic 38mm. The watch boasts a lug width of 18mm and a lug-to-lug length of 45.7mm, reduced from 21mm and 48mm, respectively, in the 40mm model. These refined dimensions make the Gentleman Automatic 38mm suitable for wrists as small as 15cm (6 inches) in circumference, whilst remaining equally at home on larger wrists up to 20cm (8 inches).
The 18mm lug width opens up a broad range of aftermarket strap options, from elegant leather to casual canvas and NATO styles, allowing wearers to customise their watch to suit different occasions and outfits.
Dial Design
The dial of the Gentleman Automatic 38mm features a pyramidal sunray-brushed finish that subtly divides the surface into quarters, creating a distinctive visual effect as light plays across its surface. This textured finishing adds depth and character without compromising legibility, ensuring the watch remains easy to read at a glance.
Applied hour markers and hands are finished with Super-LumiNova, a photoluminescent compound that absorbs light and emits a steady glow in low-light conditions. This practical feature ensures reliable readability from dusk until dawn, making the watch equally functional during evening events and early morning commutes.
A framed date aperture sits at the 3 o'clock position, displaying the date in Arabic numerals for optimal readability. The framed window integrates seamlessly into the dial design, providing practical functionality without disrupting the overall aesthetic harmony.
Movement and Power Reserve
At the heart of the Gentleman Automatic 38mm beats the Powermatic 80, a Swiss automatic movement renowned for its reliability and impressive 80-hour power reserve. This extended power reserve means the watch can be left unworn for an entire weekend and still maintain accurate timekeeping when picked up on Monday morning, a practical advantage for those who rotate between multiple timepieces.
The Powermatic 80 is designed to perform within an accuracy range of ±15 seconds per day, and Tissot employs automated laser technology to regulate each movement, ensuring excellent out-of-the-box precision.
The movement features a Nivachron hairspring, a titanium-based alloy that offers significant advantages over traditional hairspring materials: it is highly resistant to magnetic fields, temperature variations, and shocks. This means the Gentleman Automatic 38mm maintains reliable accuracy even when exposed to magnetic fields – an increasingly important consideration in modern daily wear.
Bracelet
The Gentleman Automatic 38mm is fitted with a stainless steel three-link bracelet that mirrors the quality and finishing of the case. The bracelet combines brushed centre links with polished outer links, continuing the refined balance of textures found throughout the watch. This design choice ensures visual cohesion from case to clasp whilst adding subtle visual interest.
The three-link configuration offers a classic, versatile appearance that complements both formal and casual attire, making it an ideal choice for a watch designed to accompany its wearer through all aspects of daily life.
Water Resistance
With a water resistance rating of 100 metres or 330 feet, the Gentleman Automatic 38mm is suitable for swimming, snorkelling, and water sports, though it is not recommended for diving. This level of water resistance ensures peace of mind during everyday activities, from washing hands to being caught in the rain, and adds to the watch's credentials as a true all-rounder capable of handling whatever the day may bring.
Tissot Gentleman Automatic 38mm: Specifications at a Glance
| Case diameter | 38mm |
| Case thickness | 11.5mm |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Lug width | 18mm |
| Lug-to-lug length | 45.7mm |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Strap type | Bracelet |
| Strap material | Stainless steel |
| Clasp type | Butterfly clasp |
| Balance spring | Nivachron hairspring |
| Movement | Powermatic 80 (automatic) |
| Power reserve | 80 hours |
| Water resistance | Up to 100m/330ft |
Tissot Gentleman Automatic 38mm vs 40mm: Key Specification Comparison
| Gentleman Automatic 38mm | Gentleman Automatic 40mm | |
| Case diameter | 38mm | 40mm |
| Case thickness | 11.5mm | 11.5mm |
| Lug width | 18mm | 21mm |
| Lug-to-lug length | 45.7mm | 48mm |
| Balance spring | Nivachron hairspring | Patented silicon balance spring |
The Gentleman Automatic 38mm: A Versatile Addition to an Elegant Collection
The Tissot Gentleman Automatic 38mm represents a thoughtful and welcome evolution of an already successful collection. By refining the case dimensions without sacrificing the robust functionality and elegant design that made the original Gentleman a favourite amongst enthusiasts, Tissot has created a timepiece that appeals to an even broader audience.
Whether you are seeking your first mechanical watch, a reliable daily companion, or a versatile new addition to your collection, the Gentleman Automatic 38mm deserves serious consideration. It embodies everything a modern gentleman could ask for: understated elegance, dependable performance, and the quiet confidence that comes from wearing a well-crafted timepiece.
Explore the Gentleman Automatic 38mm and our wider Tissot collection at Michael Spiers, where our expert team is on hand to guide you through the collection and help you select the ideal timepiece for your wrist and lifestyle. Visit us at one of our showrooms in Truro, Exeter, and Taunton, or browse our Tissot collection online today.