Preliminary identification

Vintage Tissot Visodate Seastar Seven Automatic Watch

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

This is a classic Swiss-made Tissot Visodate Seastar Seven wristwatch featuring a distinctive gold-plated cushion-shaped case. It showcases a beautiful sunburst champagne dial with applied baton hour markers, a date window at 3 o'clock, and a sweeping second hand.

Story

In 1953, Tissot celebrated its centenary by introducing the Visodate, integrating a date function into their automatic movements. This Seastar Seven variant represents the peak of mid-century Swiss engineering, designed to keep moisture out using a revolutionary single-piece case.

Maker / Origin

Founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile in Le Locle, Switzerland, Tissot has been a pioneer in watchmaking for over 170 years. In 1930, Tissot merged with Omega to form the SSIH group, leading to a golden era of shared technical innovation and high-quality movement manufacturing.

Condition & Value

The watch shows honest wear consistent with age, including minor surface scratches on the acrylic crystal and light wear to the gold plating on the case edges. The dial and hands show a lovely, natural patina. The strap is a modern replacement. Working condition of the mechanical movement is unverified.

Full Research

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Build on this identification

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.