We’ve Only Just Begun
When it comes to vintage icons, a few things stand out. When you think vintage and automotive you may think Ferrari Daytona or Berlinetta or the Lamborghini Muira, or the much-forgotten v12 Jaguar XKS. When you think vintage American automotive you may be drawn to Lee Iacocca’s Mustang, John Deloreans Pontiac GTO, or the ever-famous Shelby Cobra. All of them are icons in their own right.
Now if you were to think of vintage watch icons I’m sure the list would be ripe with Rolex and omega. But in the 1970’s we are at the forefront of the quartz crisis which brings to history a new set of icons. Underdogs in the world of typical horological wares. When it comes to vintage American icons in the watch world, there are far fewer brands to choose from, Hamilton, Bulova, and Timex are some of the largest players at the time. Think of them as your GM, Ford, and Chrysler of the watch world.
Timex is the one that stands as the most iconic of these brands among watch enthusiasts and everyday normal people who aren’t into watches like a religion.
Sure arguments can be made for Hamilton or Bulova to take the spot of the most iconic, Hamilton with its history of railroad accuracy and sharing the title with Bulova for watches that helped the allied win the war. And Bulova has a moon watch. Which is a historical honor left to Omega and Bulova. Of course, the GShock and others have made it in more recent history but that’s an article for another time. You can ask anyone about Timex and they know what you’re talking about. Everyone knows the slogan and everyone loves the Indiglo. By sheer brand recognition, the title goes to Timex.
The Boys Are Back In Town
The Timex catalog of the ’70s goes deep. They have tons to offer. Many of them are beautiful some in your face and some with understated restraint. Having handled many vintage Timex I can say though often overlooked, vintage Timex watches can be stunning. They truly do take a licking and keep on ticking. I’ve purchased many a Timex from a bin at an estate sale, give it a wind, and they’re off and running. Accurately too. So it’s no wonder Timex would want to dip into that history and pull from that catalog and do it as often as possible. The Timex Q series of days gone by are worth all the effort and hype that Timex is putting into it.
That brings us to the Timex Q chronograph. Inspired by automotive racing this watch is all things 70s. The lugless case and gold and cream tones would make this watch at home with wood paneling, shag carpeting, and that orange swivel rocking chair that everyone had. But it isn’t a remake. This is new, not a recreation not a “re” anything. But wholly new, inspired by that deep catalog that Timex has. To say they nailed it would be an understatement. It feels like it was pulled right out of the 1970s. Marty could buy this in 2022 speed the Delorean back to 1973 at 88 miles an hour and wear this watch without raising any suspicion. It’s so vintage feeling and so well done it would be easy to assume it was a remake, and the fact that it isn’t, speaks to how well they nailed the aesthetic of this watch.
I love vintage watches, the connection with another time, their history, their uniqueness, and their ability to start conversations. The other side of that coin is you may be unsure of its reliability. Reliability as to the accuracy, or to water resistance. Making you need to send it out for expensive servicing, sometimes which costs more than the watch is worth. Otherwise, you wear it and have to treat it with kid gloves. Which can be rather obnoxious, especially if it’s a watch you love, and a tool watch that’s meant to be used. That’s the beauty of the Timex Q Chrono. You get all that juicy vintage goodness with a piece of mind from modern materials and movements you don’t have to worry about. (Which is why I am such a sucker for a vintage reissue or vintage-inspired piece.)
The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face
The 40mm case size is comfortable and just the right size. To me, it feels smaller than 40mm, and perhaps that’s because of the lugless case. The case has a nice
Combination of a polished top and nicely brushed sides. The black bezel and its numbering contrast nicely. It’s a stainless bezel but has a very ceramic vibe to it. The cream dial is very beautiful, varying from yellow gold to champagne in color depending on the lighting. The applied indices and black contrasting sub-dials make this watch easy to use. The mineral crystal has just the right amount of visual distortion at the edges to help that vintage feel along. Sometimes that crystal mixed with the right glare and lighting conditions can make it a little tough to read at a glance. There is lume on the indices and hands. The lume here also feels very 70’s as in there isn’t much and it could be brighter. But it’s a racing chronograph, how much insanely bright lume do we need? Under some bright light and good charging, it’s a very adequate lume, I just wish it was better, but it’s not a deal breaker.
The question is, where does this watch fit in, and who could this watch be for?
At $199 for the two-color option with a leather strap or $219 for the version on a bracelet, the price is affordable and the color options either the cream dial or black dial with leather or bracelet, offer an option that will satisfy most. This watch fits securely in the vintage racing Chrono watch category. But that’s not a surprise because that’s what it was designed as. Admittedly, despite the Chrono dial, the cream dial version could dress up nicely if need be. The stock leather strap though keeps this thing comfortable in a relaxed wardrobe. This watch would be at home if chronographs are your jam, or if you have a thing for vintage. At $200 this is also a great way to explore and see how you love it.
Love is the Drug
Relationship status: it’s complicated.
I noticed this watch when it came out, I liked it. From the fawn-over it online standpoint. It's a watch I would have added to the cart a couple of times and not bought for a while despite my liking it. I’m sure I sent a photo of this to friends on Instagram saying “duuuuude, this thing is sick!” But sick enough to buy? While I didn’t buy this watch it was sent to me to review. Had I bought this watch when it was in my cart, I wouldn’t be disappointed. Its initial presentation is stunning. And any apprehension one might have is worn away after a day or two of wear and it becomes that charming, warm, trusted, and accurate grab-and-go piece. So had I eventually purchased it after adding it to the cart several different times. The same thought would have occurred to me when I opened the box, “why didn’t I buy this sooner?” It doesn’t take much to fall in love with and it has that certain sort of warm worn-in comfortable charm. If you have a big collection, it may not be your all-time favorite piece. If you have a small collection it could be your number 1 watch. But no matter the size of your collection or how much wrist time it gets, it feels perfectly at home when you put it on.
Hooked on a Feeling
Would I recommend it?
Yes, and not because Timex sent me this. It took me a day or two to go from wow that’s cool looking to wow I love this little thing. And that’s the way it is with some watches and that doesn’t make them less than others. Maybe it’s just the process of our watch collecting horizons expanding. But I digress, yes, I would recommend this watch. It’s sweet, for those days you want a little
Vintage and a Lil something extra. The function of a chronograph and the reliability of grab-and-go quartz. It’s a solid piece and can find a home in any collection. And it’s fun to wear, especially when driving. It offers some sort of kismet connection to the racing of days gone by, even if you’re just running to the post office in an 8 yr old Hyundai.
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