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Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard Review

Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard Review

Our Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard review: 44mm hand-wound skeleton, pocket-watch conversion, two straps, $2,075. Specs, pros, cons and verdict.

James Whitfield October 27, 2026 8 min read 168 views
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The Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard Special Edition is a 44mm, hand-wound, skeletonised PRX with burgundy accents, two straps and a clever pocket-watch conversion case. It costs $2,075 and isn't a limited edition. It's big, bold and genuinely fun — a great buy for basketball fans and anyone who wants a dramatic skeleton watch, but too large for smaller wrists.

Most celebrity watches are a logo on a dial and a higher price tag. This one is different.

Tissot's latest collaboration with nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard takes the hugely popular PRX, scales it up to 44mm, opens up the dial to show the movement, and throws in something nobody saw coming: a kit that turns the watch into a pocket watch.

It's playful, it's bold and it's full of personal touches. But is it a good watch, or just a good story? I've gone through the official specifications and early hands-on coverage from respected watch publications to give you an honest verdict.

Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard at a Glance

  • Reference: T137.405.17.371.00
  • Case: 44mm stainless steel, about 11.2mm thick
  • Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating, plus a sapphire display caseback
  • Movement: hand-wound ETA 6497-1
  • Water resistance: 100 metres
  • Straps: burgundy rubber and burgundy leather, both quick-release
  • Extras: pocket-watch conversion case and collector's box
  • Price: $2,075 / £1,720 / A$3,100
  • Limited edition: no

Specifications are drawn from Man of Many's key specs and Time+Tide's launch coverage, published on October 22, 2026.

Design: An NBA-Sized PRX

The first thing you notice is the size. Standard PRX models come in 35mm, 38mm and 40mm. This one is 44mm — a deliberate nod to Lillard's on-court stature, and a big step up.

Tissot keeps the familiar PRX shape, though. The integrated case, flat brushed surfaces and polished chamfers are all here. As Fratello points out, the brushed mid-case helps tone down the size, keeping your eye on the dial.

And what a dial it is. Or rather, what a lack of one. The skeletonised face shows the movement through burgundy-framed openings, with a small running seconds register at 9 o'clock. The personal details are everywhere:

  • "Dame Time" — Lillard's famous nickname — appears on the seconds sub-dial and is engraved on the side of the case
  • The gold seconds hand is shaped like Lillard's personal monogram
  • His signature is printed in burgundy on the sapphire caseback

It's a busy, expressive design, and that's the point. This isn't a quiet watch. It's a celebration.

The Movement: Classic and Hand-Wound

Most mechanical PRX models use Tissot's automatic Powermatic 80. This one doesn't. Instead, it uses the hand-wound ETA 6497-1, a movement originally developed by Unitas in the 1950s for pocket watches.

That choice makes perfect sense here. The 6497 is a large movement, which is why the case grew to 44mm. Its pocket-watch roots also explain the clever conversion kit (more on that below). And because it's hand-wound, there's no rotor blocking the view through the caseback — you see the whole movement, decorated with blued screws and striped finishing.

According to Men's Journal, it beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour. On power reserve, sources differ: Fratello and Men's Journal list 46 hours, which matches the standard 6497-1, while some Tissot-supplied materials quote up to 52 hours. Either way, you'll want to wind it every day or two.

If you're new to Tissot's different movements, our guide to ETA vs Swissmatic vs Powermatic 80 explains what each one means for you. And Tissot has used a skeletonised ETA 6497-1 before — our look at the Tissot T-Complication Squelette covers that movement in more depth.

Worth knowing: a hand-wound watch suits people who enjoy the ritual of winding. If you want a "grab and go" watch, an automatic PRX might suit you better.

The Pocket-Watch Twist

This is the feature everyone's talking about.

Remove the strap, and the watch head slots into a small leather case that turns it into a pocket watch. It's a playful callback to the movement's pocket-watch origins, and it's genuinely unusual at this price.

aBlogtoWatch said the conversion gives the watch a more premium feel and treads genuinely new ground for the PRX series. Will you use it every day? Probably not. But for a special occasion — or simply as a talking point — it's a brilliant extra.

Straps and Presentation

You get two burgundy straps in the box, both with quick-release spring bars so you can swap them in seconds without tools:

  • Rubber strap with pin buckle: its texture is inspired by the milk crates Lillard used as makeshift basketball hoops as a kid. It's a lovely, personal detail.
  • Leather strap with folding clasp: a dressier option for evenings or the office.

Everything comes in a black collector's box with gold lettering. For a watch at this price, the presentation feels thoughtful and special — exactly what you'd want if you're buying it as a gift.

On the Wrist: Size Is the Big Question

Let's be honest: 44mm is large. The good news is that at about 11.2mm thick, it isn't chunky, and the integrated PRX design helps it sit closer to the wrist than a typical 44mm watch.

Still, if your wrist is under about 7 inches, the lugs may stretch past the edges. Larger wrists will wear it comfortably, and it will absolutely make a statement.

If you love the PRX but prefer a smaller size, the standard Powermatic 80 models in 35mm, 38mm and 40mm are the better fit. Our comparison of PRX titanium vs steel walks through those options, and our PRX Damascus Steel review covers another special PRX in a more wearable 38mm.

Price and Value: Is It Worth $2,075?

At $2,075, this is one of the more expensive PRX models. So what are you paying for?

  • A genuinely well-executed skeleton dial, which is rarely done this well at this price
  • A Swiss hand-wound movement on full display
  • Two quality straps with quick-release
  • The pocket-watch conversion case
  • A collector's box and a meaningful story

For basketball fans and skeleton-watch lovers, that's strong value. If you just want a great everyday PRX, though, the standard Powermatic 80 models cost far less and are easier to live with.

It's also not a limited edition. As Men's Journal notes, that means fans won't have to fight over a small production run. That said, some dealers were already showing it as sold out shortly after launch, so availability may be patchy at first.

On resale, be realistic. Most Tissot watches sell below retail on the pre-owned market, and special editions that aren't limited rarely buck that trend. Our analysis of whether a Tissot is a good investment explains why. Buy it because you love it, not to flip it.

What We Like and What We Don't

What we like:

  • The skeleton dial looks far more expensive than it is
  • The pocket-watch conversion is fun and genuinely unique
  • Thoughtful personal details, from "Dame Time" to the milk-crate strap
  • Two straps and quick-release make it versatile
  • Not limited, so it's easier to buy

What we don't:

  • 44mm is too big for many wrists
  • Hand-wound only, so it needs regular winding
  • Busier design won't suit everyone
  • Unlikely to hold its value

Who Should Buy the PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard?

Buy it if:

  • You're a Damian Lillard or basketball fan
  • You love skeleton watches and want to see the movement at work
  • You have a medium-to-large wrist
  • You want a fun, conversation-starting watch or a memorable gift

Skip it if:

  • Your wrist is on the smaller side
  • You want a simple, low-maintenance automatic
  • You prefer understated design

Looking for a gift? Our guide to the best Tissot gift for every budget has more ideas at different prices.

Buying Tips

  1. Buy from an authorised Tissot retailer. That's the only way to guarantee the full warranty and the complete box set with both straps and the pocket-watch case.
  2. Check the box contents. Make sure the rubber strap, leather strap, pocket-watch case and collector's box are all included.
  3. Buying privately? Follow our 5 ways to verify a Tissot before buying.
  4. Plan for servicing. Like any mechanical watch, it will need a service eventually. Here's how much a Tissot service costs.

The Verdict

The Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard Special Edition is that rare thing: a celebrity watch with real substance.

The skeleton dial is beautifully done, the hand-wound movement is a fitting choice, and the pocket-watch conversion is a stroke of genius. Add two quality straps and a heartfelt set of personal details, and you have one of the most interesting PRX models Tissot has ever made.

Its size and hand-wound movement won't suit everyone. But if you have the wrist for it and love the idea of a watch with a story, it's a slam dunk at $2,075.

FAQ

How much is the Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard?

The Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard Special Edition costs $2,075 in the US, £1,720 in the UK and A$3,100 in Australia.

Is the Tissot PRX Damian Lillard a limited edition?

No. It's a special edition but not a numbered limited edition, so it should be easier to find than a limited run, although early stock may sell out at some dealers.

What size is the PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard?

It has a 44mm stainless steel case that's about 11.2mm thick, much larger than the standard 35mm, 38mm and 40mm PRX models.

What movement does it use?

It uses the hand-wound ETA 6497-1, beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour. Most sources list a 46-hour power reserve, though some Tissot materials quote up to 52 hours.

Can the PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard be used as a pocket watch?

Yes. It comes with a leather case that holds the watch head once the strap is removed, turning it into a pocket watch.

Is it water resistant?

Yes, to 100 metres, which is fine for swimming. Just be careful with the leather strap around water.  Tissot PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard Review 

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JW

Senior Writer

James Whitfield

Senior watch writer with a decade covering Swiss horology, vintage markets and modern releases.

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