We are all becoming accustomed to touch screen technology, whether it be when using our home computer or withdrawing money from an ATM. It was only a matter of time before touch screen technology was used in the making of a watch, and it's no surprise that Tissot have been at the forefront with the Tissot T-Touch watch.



Tissot watches have always been at the forefront of timekeeping and the company has a long association with timekeeping at major sporting events. In 2003 Tissot became the official timekeeper for NASCAR, replacing TAG Heuer. Tissot are also the official timekeepers for Grand Prix motorcycle racing as well as official timekeeper of the world championships in MotoGP, Supercross, Fencing, Cycling and Ice Hockey.

With this pedigree, it's obvious that Tissot takes timekeeping seriously, constantly pushing the bounds of technology. Of course, Tissot is not alone. Many other watchmakers strive for leadership in a niche area: Rado making the World's hardest watch with the V10K; Patek Philippe producing watches with the most complicated movements available in a wristwatch; and Titan, makers of the World's thinnest watch - the Titan Edge. Tissot leads the way in developing touch-driven technology in wristwatches, with their collection of T-Touch wristwatches.

The Tissot -Touch collection offers 8 separate functions. All of these functions are activated by pressing on the crown and then pressing on the touch-sensitive screen. The functions include; an accurate Altimeter (in feet and metres), a Chronograph (split and add time), a Compass, an Alarm, a Thermometer (in ºC and ºF) and Barometer as well as Date and Time (choice of 12H and 24H).

The Tissot T-Touch watch has a modern, sporty and elegant design. The dial of the T-Touch comes in either black or blue and the casing comes in Stainless Steel, Polished Titanium, Platinum, and Yellow or Rose Gold. The metal bracelets match the finishing of the casing, but my personal favorite is the orange rubber band, which looks especially good with the Stainless Steel model with orange hour marks on a black dial. Both of the gold T-Touch watches come with rubber band also but, to my mind, I feel the dark rubber band doesn't complement the gold casing.

Tissot were also official timekeepers of the Asian Games and to mark the event the company introduced the T-Touch Asian Games 2006 watch. I really like this watch. The casing is titanium with silver dial. But what really lends appeal to this watch is the red circle that runs on the outside of the hour marks - highlighting the various touch functions - that is complemented by the red rubber band. A very beautiful, modern looking watch.

The T-Touch Classic from Tissot is a very stylish watch that would be desirable whether it had touch-driven technology or not. I'm a great fan of Swiss watches, especially of manufacturers who try to incorporate the latest technology. Watch makers like Rado and Patek Philippe are desired and loved because of the way they marry technology with beauty. Tissot watches, I feel, is one such watchmaker.