The Tissot T-Bike Watch Review
Friday - 30 June 2017
With Le Tour de France commencing tomorrow Tissot launch the T-Bike edition that proudly wears the signature colours of the race. As the Official Timekeeper, Tissot are trusted to measure the exact speeds and precise finish times of the competitors; a vital role that the watch brand confidently embrace. Lasting for a duration of 23 days and with 21 stages to complete, the race is set to be a thrilling, exciting adventure.
The Tissot T-Bike captures the racing spirit of Le Tour de France with the dynamic, bold design. The vivid yellow hue leaps from the dark grey dial and silicon strap demanding attention. The fine T-shaped second hand and large hour and minute hands are easy to read due to their strong shade; a legible dial that allows for the wearer to instantly read the time without missing a moment of the race.
The watch brings a sporting elegance to the track with the stunning charcoal grey dial and sophisticated layout. The chronograph functions sit proudly inside the modest 29.8 mm dial surrounded by the accurately positioned minute markers in yellow and white; an organised watch face that puts readability, precision and strong design at the forefront.
Turn the stunning instrument to reveal the engraved case back that features the Le Tour de France logo; an elegant finishing touch that cements the inspiration beautifully.
Tissot caught up with British cyclists Steve Cummings and Dani King to find out their thoughts on the upcoming race and women's cycling.
T: Team Dimension Data is a team that really seems to love being at the Tour de France?
SC: I would say its true for every team, the Tour is the pinnacle of our sport and a good Tour can satisfy team sponsors and fans for the year. A good Tour is vital.
T: As a professional athlete what’s the importance of time?
SC: Crucial. Our sport often comes down to seconds after three weeks’ racing. Time trials obviously are also refereed to as ‘the race against the clock’, so quite simply the quickest to go from start to finish wins. In track cycling these margins break down into hundreds and thousandths of a second.
T: Will the guys selected for the Tour be looking to bring some of the same swashbuckling excitement as they did to the Giro?
SC: It depends on the team selection. If Cav and I are selected then I will look for opportunities. Mark will look to try get closer to Merckx's record (total stage victories at the Tour de France), which he is currently four wins off.
T: Winning a stage at the Tour is hard, so winning two stages in back-to-back years is quite some achievement – has there been any secret to your success?
SC: To be honest I just love riding my bike. I train hard, look after my body and try to arrive to major races like the Tour in the best possible shape. I’m not a rider interested in making up the numbers.
Perhaps I am watched a little closer now, though, off the back of the past two stage wins, but I just focus on getting the best from myself and for my team.
T: How important is time in your training?
DK: It’s absolutely essential. Everything I do is based around time, whether that’s the duration of a ride for or the specific efforts within it. Every day I use time and power to ensure my training is as efficient as possible. Even off the bike you need to make the most of your time – I’ve always been the sort of person to plan my day down to the minute and make sure rest is incorporated into the day as well as my training.
T: Do you think women’s cycling is moving in the right direction?
DK: Definitely – since I started riding a bike it has gone from strength to strength. We have to all remember that and not be negative about women’s cycling. When I started cycling I’d be the only girl cycling round the track in Portsmouth and now it’s incredible to see how many girls were out and wanted to ride a bike
T: What can be done to increase the participation of women in cycling?
DK: I think encouraging girls at school is key. Obviously it’s hard for schools to provide cycling clubs because you need a lot of equipment, but establishing links between schools and local cycling clubs would definitely help get more girls into cycling.
