Vintage Tissot Watch Seastar T.12 Automatic 43514 Cal 783 Circa 1960s

SPECIFICATION

POINTS TO MENTION

• In great pre owned condition with light signs of wear
  
• Case has some light scratches and marks
• Fully serviced movement
• No date model 
• Indices and hand set have some patina
• Signed Tissot crown
• Silver sunburst dial 
  
• Paired on an unworn blue leather strap
  

THE SEASTAR

The Tissot Seastar line, introduced in the 1950s, has evolved over decades to reflect changing styles and technologies in Swiss watchmaking. Originally launched as a range of elegant, water-resistant dress watches, early Seastar models featured stainless steel or gold-plated cases, domed acrylic crystals, and reliable mechanical movements. By the late 1960s and 1970s, the Seastar expanded into sportier territory, incorporating larger cases, colourful dials, and automatic movements like the Tissot calibre 783, as seen in this references 43514/44514-4, which has 21 jewels, a power reserve of 45 hours approx. and runs at 18,000 bph. These models began to bridge the gap between formal and functional, with features like screw-down case backs and day or date complications. During the 1980s and 1990s, the line shifted toward quartz movements as Tissot adapted to the market pressures of the quartz crisis, leading to a broader mix of dress and sport models under the Seastar name. In the 2000s, Tissot revived the Seastar as a full-featured dive watch collection, offering models like the Seastar 1000 and 2000 with 300-meter water resistance, unidirectional bezels, and automatic Powermatic 80 movements. Today, the Seastar remains a versatile and accessible line that reflects both Tissot’s rich heritage and its modern commitment to value-driven Swiss watchmaking, appealing to vintage collectors and contemporary dive watch enthusiasts alike.

A BIT OF TRIVIA

The Swiss luxury watch company Tissot from Le Locle, Switzerland, was established in 1853 by Charles Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Emile. Under Charles-Emile’s direction, they manufactured pocket watches with parts from Russia and the United States. In 1915, the company began producing wristwatches. In 1930 Tissot created the world's first Non-Magnetic wristwatch. Between 1920 and 1977, Tissot produced its own movements. In 1930 to survive the 1929 crash and economic crisis they entered into an agreement with Omega to form the SSIH Group which 53 years later became the Swatch Group.

OUR THOUGHTS

The Tissot Seastar is a standout vintage piece, combining classic style with a versatile 35mm case. While often overlooked next to its Swiss peers, vintage Tissots offer remarkable craftsmanship and heritage at an excellent value. This Seastar has been carefully preserved and refreshed—ready to continue its story on your wrist.