Vintage Tissot Watch — Gold-Plated Moonphase Gold Dial (1990s)

A question about this piece?
Chat with us on WhatsApp →

Tissot Gold-Plated Moonphase: the Swiss dress watch with a golden dial and Roman numerals

This Tissot watch is a unisex dress watch with a moonphase, worn equally by a man or a woman, from one of the great Swiss watchmaking houses. Its round gold-plated case, with a slim bezel and curved lugs, showcases a complex dial without ever crowding it. The whole measures 27mm (30mm with the crown) for a Lug-to-lug of 36mm and a thickness of only 6.1mm, Crystal included. A slender and refined piece, made to slip under a cuff.

The golden dial is a small astronomical theater. Twelve black Roman numerals encircle it, framed by a double railroad track punctuated with applied golden dots. At 12 o'clock, a golden moon disc moves across a starry midnight-blue sky, in an arched aperture: the only burst of color on an otherwise entirely monochrome dial. The date window sits at 6 o'clock, in perfect balance with the moon. Two black baton hands and a fine seconds hand sweep across the whole, while the Tissot signature occupies the lower center of the dial.

Inside beats the Swiss ETA 955.419 caliber, a quartz moonphase and date movement fitted with seven jewels. It is one of the rare Swiss quartz calibers to offer this complication, and it has the advantage of being perfectly documented and easy to have serviced by any watchmaker. The date is adjusted at the first crown position, in quickset mode. The movement of this example has been checked by our watchmaker and the battery replaced.

On the wrist, the piece embraces romantic elegance. The warm gold plating, the golden dial and the deep blue starry sky create a ton-sur-ton ensemble broken only by the moon, here highlighted by a lizard leather black strap. This strap is not original; it is mounted on a steel pin buckle. The moonphase complication makes it a watch of character, far from a simple three-hand watch.

Three points to note

• The ETA 955.419 caliber is a Swiss quartz moonphase: a beautiful complication, and a caliber that is easy to have serviced.
• The moonphase at 12 o'clock and the date window at 6 o'clock answer each other in symmetry: a dial balance characteristic of carefully executed dress watches.
• The case is gold-plated, not solid: it shows fine signs of wear, disclosed with full transparency.

→ Discover our vintage Tissot watches
→ See our vintage watches from €500 to €1,000

Technical characteristics

• Brand: Tissot
• Model: Moonphase
• Reference: C280
• Estimated year: 1990s
• Origin: Switzerland
• Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
• Movement: Swiss quartz, ETA 955.419 caliber, 7 jewels
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date at 6 o'clock, moonphase
• Case: Gold-plated (steel back), round shape
• Dimensions: 33mm (34mm with the crown)
• Lug to lug: 36mm
• Thickness : 6.1mm (Crystal included)
• Lug width : 18mm
• Crown : Gold-plated, fluted, original
• Dial : Gilt, black Roman numerals, double railroad track, moonphase at 12 o'clock, date aperture at 6 o'clock, original
• Hands : Blackened baton hands (hours, minutes), fine sweep seconds hand, original
• Crystal : Mineral, very good condition
• Bracelet : Black lizard leather, non-original
• Buckle : Steel pin buckle, original

Condition and warranty

• Overall condition : Very fine state of preservation. Impeccable gilt dial, crisp moonphase and date aperture. The gold-plated case, however, shows fine signs of wear, consistent with the age of the piece.
• Water resistance : Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
• Authenticity : Lifetime guarantee
• Mechanical : Checked quartz movement, new battery, 1-year warranty
• Included : Atelier Victor invoice, protective presentation case
• Not included : Original box and papers

Frequently asked questions

How does the moonphase of this Tissot work?
The moon disc, visible at 12 o'clock in an arc-shaped aperture, advances each day to reproduce the real lunar cycle, from new moon to full moon, against a starry midnight-blue sky. It is a poetic complication, here driven by a reliable Swiss quartz movement, which lends this dress watch its character.

What movement powers this Tissot?
A Swiss ETA 955.419 caliber, quartz movement with moonphase and date, fitted with seven jewels. It is one of the rare Swiss quartz calibers to offer a moonphase. Its great advantage is that it is fully documented and easy to have serviced by any watchmaker. The movement of this example has been checked by our watchmaker and is guaranteed for 1 year.

How do you set the date on this Tissot?
The date is adjusted by quick-set at the first crown position, by turning it. The second position allows the time to be set. Avoid adjusting the date late in the evening or in the middle of the night, when the calendar mechanism is engaged.

Is the case made of solid gold?
No. It is a gold-plated case with a steel case back, a technique commonly found on dress watches of this era. The plating brings the warmth and brilliance of gold at a fraction of its price. This piece shows fine signs of wear on its plating, disclosed with complete transparency.

Is this Tissot C280 water-resistant?
No. Water resistance is never guaranteed on a vintage watch: the original gaskets have aged and the pressure resistance of the case back is no longer what it was when new. Avoid the shower, the pool and the sea. A simple contact with rainwater, however, does not pose any difficulty.

A piece selected by Atelier Victor

Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.

Chat with us on WhatsApp →