The early 1970s gave watchmaking some of its boldest shapes, and the Tissot Heritage 1973 T124.427.16.031.01 brings that era back with real mechanical substance. Its cushion-shaped 43mm steel case and silver dial with contrasting black counters capture the look of the period's chronographs without feeling like a costume piece.

This is an automatic chronograph, not a quartz imitation. The Valjoux A05.H31 self-winding caliber drives a tri-compax layout with 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers plus running seconds, and its power reserve of about 60 hours is enough to set it down on Friday and pick it up running on Monday. A see-through caseback lets you watch the rotor and chronograph works, while a domed sapphire crystal echoes the bubble-glass profile of 1970s originals.

At 14.8mm tall it is a substantial watch with presence, and the brown leather strap with a steel deployant clasp warms up the steel case. It is a natural choice for collectors who want a vintage-inspired chronograph they can wear daily.

Heritage 1973 automatic chronograph, T124.427.16.031.01

• Cushion-shaped stainless steel case, 43mm wide, 14.8mm thick
• Lug width: 22mm
• Silver dial, black sub-counters, stick indexes, date
• Swiss automatic chronograph caliber Valjoux A05.H31
• Power reserve: about 60 hours
• Domed sapphire crystal; transparent caseback
• Water resistance: 100 meters
• Brown leather strap with deployant clasp

A slice of 1970s design, powered by a genuine mechanical chronograph.