Timex : "Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking"

For many watch enthusiasts, the Timex is the gateway drug—the one that starts it all. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t demand you mortgage your house. But that’s precisely the charm. It’s cool without trying, accessible without apology, and everywhere without being overdone. What it lacks in Swiss smugness or collector cachet, it makes up for in sheer cultural clout. Timex didn’t just make watches; it made time democratic.

The story kicks off in 1854, when the Waterbury Clock Company set up shop in Connecticut’s Naugatuck Valley—a place so devoted to gears and brass it earned the nickname “Switzerland of America.” By 1857, these Yankee horologists were cranking out clocks by the million, priced to undercut their fancier European rivals. Waterbury wasn’t just a city—it was the Brass City, where time was forged, stamped, and sold at scale.

Then came 1887’s star of the show: the “Jumbo” pocket watch, cheekily named after P.T. Barnum’s famed circus elephant. But the real pivot came post–World War II, when the company—now called U.S. Time—cracked the code for building durable, dirt-cheap wristwatches using hardened alloy “armalloy” (a little missile tech, anyone?). Suddenly, watches weren’t just for the elite—they were for everyone with a pulse.

The name “Timex”—a tidy mash-up of “time” and “excellence”—hit the scene in 1950, followed soon after by the now-iconic ad line: “Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” And boy, did those watches prove it. Whether you were hammering nails, diving in the pool, or wrangling toddlers, your Timex kept ticking with stoic determination.

By the swinging ’60s, the company wasn’t just making watches—it was everywhere. One in every three watches sold in the U.S. sported that Timex logo. That same era even saw the company manufacture Polaroid cameras, proving once again that if it needed gears, Timex could handle it.

Timex Legends: A Collector’s Guide to Four American Icons

From boardrooms to campgrounds, Timex has a watch for every wrist—and these four collections prove it’s not just about keeping time, it’s about owning a piece of it.

The Waterbury Collection: Heritage With a Pulse

Born in the brass-fueled heartbeat of Waterbury, Connecticut, this collection is a love letter to Timex’s 160-year legacy. Each watch—whether a clean three-hander or a robust GMT—proudly bears the vintage “Waterbury Watch Company” logo at 6 o’clock and a Timex stamp at 12. Expect Roman numerals or baton indexes, Japanese Miyota movements, and a cheeky “W”-shaped seconds hand counterweight. Price tag? A modest $119 to $299. Legacy never looked so good.

The Marlin: Mid-Century Cool on Your Wrist

Originally launched in the 1960s and revived with flair in 2017, the Marlin is vintage class reimagined. Think 34mm case, domed acrylic crystal, curvy retro numerals, and a faux lizard strap for that effortlessly cool Mad Men vibe. You can go full hand-wound for $209 or embrace moon phases and chronographs on a budget ($169–$179). Need an automatic with a bit more wrist presence? The 40mm models start at just $259.

Q Timex: Quartz Goes Retro-Futurist

First ticking into history in 1972, the Q Timex is quartz with swagger. The reissued Q Timex SST from 2019—with its “Pepsi” bezel and DIY coin-slot battery change—was an instant hit. Since then, the collection has exploded with new colors, a legit GMT option, and even the luxe-coded Falcon Eye Chronograph, rocking a Swiss-style côtes de Genève dial for $239. Entry level? Just $99. You’ll look rich without the regret.

Expedition North: Field-Tested, Adventure-Approved

Ready for the great outdoors? This modern update of vintage military field watches comes battle-prepped with mechanical or quartz options. The Field Post Mechanical is a standout—manual wind, hacking seconds, sapphire crystal, and luminous hands—all wrapped in a sustainable leather strap and priced under $250. Feeling titanium tough? There’s an automatic version for $349. Or dip your toe in the stream with a quartz model starting at $89.

Timex isn’t just a brand—it’s a cultural touchstone that’s made style, reliability, and innovation accessible to everyone for over a century and a half. Whether you're drawn to the timeless charm of the Marlin, the rugged spirit of the Expedition North, or the retro swagger of the Q Timex, there’s a watch in their lineup with a story to tell—and a history you can wear. In a world chasing luxury, Timex proves that true value still lies in craftsmanship, character, and the simple act of keeping time beautifully.