ReviewTissot Celebrate WNBA’s Rise With An Exclusive Seastar Lineup

The WNBA has been on an undeniable upward trajectory in recent years, with rising viewership, attendance records, and a spotlight that grows brighter with each passing season. As the league’s cultural impact accelerates, it has caught the attention of major brands looking to align themselves with the momentum of women’s professional basketball. Enter Tissot, who have partnered with the WNBA and Wilson to release the first official timepieces in league history.

Tissot Seastar Wilson WNBA: Two Watches, One Mission

The collection consists of two variations of Tissot’s popular Seastar diver line—one an affordable quartz model, the other powered by the brand’s workhorse Powermatic 80 automatic movement. While featuring distinct colourways, the duo are united by their unmistakable WNBA and basketball motifs incorporated throughout the designs.

The Powermatic 80: A Slam Dunk In Design

Both watches are housed in the modern 40mm Seastar case with a modest 12.5mm thickness. The Powermatic 80 version brings a stealthy, understated presence to the wrist with its black circularly brushed sunburst dial providing a deep backdrop for the crisp white lume-filled indices and hands.

Drawing direct inspiration from the markings on an official WNBA game ball, the first 24 minutes are printed in a vibrant orange—a nod to the league’s 24-second shot clock. The remaining quadrant is picked out in a more subdued silver tone.

Cementing the connection to the game are the two interchangeable straps included with the watch, constructed from the same Evo-NXT Premium Composite material used in Wilson’s WNBA game balls. One strap comes in an electric orange, while the other opts for a clean optic white, both emblazoned with Wilson’s iconic ‘W’ logo.

A Tribute To The Game

Flipping the watch over reveals a subtle tribute on the caseback: an embossed silhouette of a regulation basketball floats above the trio of collaborators’ logos. An exhibition window provides a view of the robust Powermatic 80 calibre beating inside, which features an anti-magnetic Nivachron hairspring and a substantial 80-hour power reserve.

The Quartz Option

For those favouring a more affordable quartz option, Tissot have also produced the Seastar Wilson WNBA Quartz. This model swaps out the mechanical movement for a Swiss-made quartz unit with an end-of-life battery indicator. It updates the aesthetic formula with an off-white sunray dial and matching bezel insert, maintaining the distinctive orange accents on the first 24 minutes of the bezel.

Versatility On And Off The Court

Both pieces feature the same quick-release strap system and are water-resistant to a capable 300m, ensuring they’re more than up to the rigours of an on-court lifestyle. While these watches may have been designed with WNBA fans and players in mind, their restrained and versatile take on basketball style cues works equally well for those simply looking for an affordable and capable sport watch.

A Timely Collaboration

As the WNBA continues its rapid ascension in status and popularity, landmark brand collaborations like this feel like a long-overdue recognition of the league’s significance. The timing of this release, coinciding with the 2024 WNBA draft, adds another layer of excitement to the watches’ debut.

It’s worth noting that, while Tissot have been the official timekeeper for the NBA and WNBA since 2015, this marks their first dedicated WNBA watch collection. For the fans who have supported the league through its nascency to its current golden era, these officially licensed timepieces offer a stylish way to represent a pivotal moment in the sport’s history.