Certain colours symbolise excellence and are worn with pride by champions. Much like the iconic yellow jersey, also known as the maillot jaune, which is awarded to the lead cyclist of the Tour De France, the world’s premier cycling event. A prestigious badge of honour, this coveted jersey is now celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. And to mark this momentous occasion, luxury watchmaker Tissot has launched a special, yellow-themed Chrono XL Tour de France Special Edition 2019 timepiece.
A clearly sporty creation, this tri-compax quartz chronograph boasts a 45mm stainless steel case with a black dial and striking yellow details that pay tribute to the famed jersey. These include numerals, indices, two sub-dials, the minute and seconds hands, and even the Tissot branding — all of which stand out in bright yellow against the dark background. Even the black leather strap showcases a yellow strip down the middle, recalling the road markings in the race. The watch, however, offers an option for an entirely black strap, as well.
There’s an effortlessly stylish yet casual appeal to this watch, which makes it an easy wear regardless of the wearer’s surroundings, be it the boardroom, the beach, or even along the sidelines of the tour route, watching the cyclists zipping past in a blur of whirring wheels.
The back of the case features the Tour de France logo, reiterating the special relationship between the two international brands. As the official timekeeper of the international race, Tissot has been a long-time, highly respected partner of Tour de France. The two seem to share the same zeal and respect for brilliance and talent in a competitive field. And it is this passion that stands out in the Chrono XL Tour de France Special Edition.
