A distinctive late-1970s Tissot F1 Quartz with integrated bracelet design and inner tachymeter scale, reflecting the brand’s strong connection to motorsport during the decade. With its angular ‘tool watch’ stainless-steel case, matte black dial, and technical aesthetic, this model captures the transitional period when Swiss makers combined quartz innovation with racing-inspired ideas. The watch is in very good vintage condition. The stainless-steel case has been professionally refreshed, maintaining the sharp geometry of the original design. The dial remains clean and well-contrasted, with crisp white printing and intact applied markers. The bracelet shows light, age-appropriate wear and retains its original signed clasp. Historical Context During the 1970s, Tissot was heavily involved in international motorsport, sponsoring rally and Formula racing teams and producing watches that echoed this technical, performance-oriented identity. The F1 Quartz line illustrates the brand’s embrace of emerging quartz technology while maintaining a functional, instrument-like design language closely associated with racing culture. Movement & Functionality This model is powered by the Tissot calibre 2031 quartz, a technically interesting movement featuring a magnetic clutch on the minute wheel and an unconventional setting system designed with frequent travellers in mind. Hour setting: pulling the crown adjusts only the hour hand, allowing rapid timezone changes without disturbing minutes or seconds. Minute setting: pressing and holding the crown for 5 seconds freezes the seconds hand; releasing and pressing again firmly engages a fast-advance mode that moves the minute hand forward until the desired time is reached. Tachymeter function The inner tachymeter scale is not merely decorative. By stopping and releasing the seconds hand via the crown, elapsed intervals can be measured and read against the scale, enabling practical speed or distance calculations in a simplified analogue manner. You just have Forto catch the second hand at ‘zero’ position, press and hold the crown to stop the second hand. Releasing the crown starts time count. Specifications Brand: Tissot Model: F1 Quartz “Tachymeter” Reference: 40732 Year: 1978 (movement no. 21,391 – thousands) Movement: Tissot calibre 2031, quartz Case: Stainless steel, polishing refreshed in our workshop Caseback: Stainless steel snap-on, reference 40732 stamped inside Crown: Original signed “bolt” crown with Tissot “T” logo Dial: Matte black with applied indices, inner tachymeter scale Bezel: Black painted outer bezel Crystal: Flat mineral glass Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date at 3 o’clock, stop-seconds Bracelet: Original stainless steel integrated bracelet with Tissot factory markings Servicing and Warranty Fully serviced with disassembly in our Bristol shop Mechanics in full working order 12-month movement warranty Warranty Terms and Conditions No water resistance warranty
