Tissot and Damian Lillard are back at it. Their first collaboration put Lillard's name on the PRX and moved a lot of units. This one is a different animal. The new Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard Special Edition opens up the dial, bumps the case size, switches to a hand-wound movement, and throws in a pocket watch conversion kit. That last bit is not something you see every day from a brand at this price point.
Lillard's nickname is "Dame Time," and the whole concept here leans into the idea of time as something you prepare for, not just react to. That's the marketing angle, anyway. What you actually get is a genuinely interesting watch with some real horological substance behind it.
What's Actually New Here
The previous Lillard PRX used the standard quartz or automatic setup you'd expect from the line. This one runs on a manual-wind movement based on the ETA Unitas 6497, a large-format pocket watch caliber that's been a workhorse for decades. Putting it in a wristwatch is a deliberate choice. The movement is big, architectural, and looks great through a skeleton dial. It's also a nod to the pocket watch heritage baked into the conversion kit.
The case grows to 44mm to accommodate that movement properly. That's notably larger than the standard PRX lineup, which sits more comfortably in the 35-40mm range. If you're used to wearing a standard PRX, this is going to feel like a different watch on the wrist. Intentionally so.
The Dial and Design
Skeleton dials on affordable watches can go wrong fast. Tissot has kept this one relatively clean. The open dial lets you see the Unitas movement doing its work, and the color story pulls in burgundy accents, which ties back to Lillard's time with the Portland Trail Blazers. The integrated bracelet design that defines the PRX family is still here, giving the watch that sporty-luxury silhouette the line is known for.
The case shape stays true to the PRX DNA: integrated lugs, brushed and polished surfaces, that distinct stepped bezel. Scaling it up to 44mm does change the proportions, but the watch carries it reasonably well given the movement size requirements.
Who This Is For
There are a few different buyers circling this one:
- PRX collectors who want something more mechanically interesting than the standard automatic or quartz options.
- Fans of Damian Lillard who want a watch that's actually worth buying beyond the name on the caseback.
- Skeleton watch fans who don't want to spend Cartier or Roger Dubuis money to see a movement through a dial.
- Anyone curious about the Unitas 6497 as an entry point into appreciating large-format manual-wind calibers.
- People who genuinely want a wristwatch that doubles as a pocket watch. That crowd exists.
How It Compares to the Standard PRX Range
The core PRX collection is built around accessibility. Quartz versions, automatic versions with the Powermatic 80, clean dials, a range of sizes. This Lillard skeleton sits above all of that in ambition and price. The Unitas 6497 is a respected movement but it's not a finishing showcase. You're not buying this for haute horlogerie. You're buying it because it's a bold, conversation-starting watch from a mainstream brand that actually bothered to do something different.
Compared to other skeleton watches at a similar accessible price tier, the pocket watch kit genuinely sets it apart. It's a value-add that has actual relevance to the movement inside, not just a marketing bundle.
Specs at a Glance
44mm
Manual-wind, ETA Unitas 6497 base
Skeleton with burgundy accents
Pocket watch conversion kit included
Tissot hasn't announced the price publicly yet at the time of writing, so check the brand's site for updates on that. What's clear is that this is the most ambitious PRX collaboration Tissot has put out, and for once, the special edition label feels earned. If the price lands in a reasonable spot relative to what's inside, this one should move fast.
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