When I first cast my eyes on the Tissot Banana Heritage Centenary Edition, I was instantly captivated by its nostalgic appeal. There’s the unmistakably vintage black dial with silver hands; the petite onion crown with the yester-year “T” signature; and most visually appealing of all, the curve silhouette of the watch’s ultra-thin stainless steel case.

Aesthetically, the Tissot Banana remains truly faithful to the century-old design of the original watch from 1916. To me that’s super important – this is what a vintage re-issue is all about. After all, why would you mess with a formula that just works?

The curve, rectangular case (measured at 27 x 49mm) hugs around my slim 6.25-inch wrist reasonably well. I just love the way light bounces off the curved case and domed mineral crystal. The black Banana plays the dress watch perfectly with a business suit, whilst the white-dial Banana with the brown strap pairs comfortably with a casual shirt on the weekend.

The faux alligator strap wears a little flimsy but perhaps not entirely a surprise given the price point of this watch (at around $560 RRP). The alternative yellow gold and rose gold colourways of the Banana line-up both feature cow leather straps that look and feel a little more premium, although at a higher price point.

Underneath the hood, the Swiss ETA 901.001 quartz movement beats quietly and does the job well. I’d love to see Tissot offer an automatic or manual-wind version of the “Banana”, as long as it doesn’t compromise the 7mm-thick case. Such a proposition could help elevate the profile of the “Banana” amongst the watch snobs perhaps?

The Tissot Heritage “Banana” Centenary Edition occupies a unique place in any watch enthusiast’s collection, with a back story to boot and without breaking the bank.