The picture is not very sharp, but it looks like a Powermatic 80.
This is an automatic watch with a long, 80-hour spring reserve (this is a benefit, most similar watches will run down if they are not worn or wound for a couple of days)
The mechanism is a modification of the ETA 2842, which is the world's most successful self-winding watch. The key identifier is that it has five tiny ball bearings in the hub of the rotor, which turns as you move your wrist and winds the spring.
I am not familiar with the 80 hour revision, but the 2824 mechanism is very reliable. I have one that is about 50 years old and has only needed one major overhaul with new parts (mechanical watches need to be cleaned and oiled at intervals, which is quite expensive).
I do not buy modern watches, but a price below a thousand is modest for this type of watch. They are not often discounted much, because the mechanism is well-known and respected. Sometimes less famous brands, or peculiar dual colours, are cheaper if they were not popular, for example I got a Calvin Klein on clearance, perhaps because people don't want the brand of their underwear on their watch.
BTW 40mm is quite large. Does he have big hands and wrists? Has he tried one on?
If you want, you can read more about it on
https://calibercorner.com/tissot-caliber-powermatic-80/?highlight=Tissot+powermatic