Timex Watches: Discover the American Icon

Timex has, over the centuries, grown into one of the most popular watch brands in the world. The American brand offers an excellent balance of durability, classic design, and reliability in the affordable segment, often with a more rugged look than many other brands in the same price range. The brand is known for its use of durable materials, such as strong stainless steel cases, and for incorporating technologies like Indiglo backlighting and Shock-Resistant design. As a result, Timex watches are better equipped to withstand everyday wear and rough conditions.

In this blog, we’ll dive deeper into the history of Timex, its development over the years, the most popular collections, and why a Timex should have a place in your watch collection.

The History of Timex

Timex was founded in 1854 as the Waterbury Clock Company in Waterbury, Connecticut — a town that, due to its abundance of watchmakers, was once known as "The Switzerland of America." The company set itself apart by combining European watchmaking quality with American entrepreneurship, allowing people to own high-quality timepieces at an affordable price.

Around 100 years later, the company was restructured and introduced the Timex line, which focused on ruggedness and reliability. This line came with the now-iconic slogan, "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking," and became a massive success. That original Timex line laid the foundation for the watches we know today as the Timex brand.

Evolution Through the Years

Adaptability is a skill that Timex has mastered like no other. The brand responded cleverly to emerging technologies, releasing innovative digital watches in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s and 1990s, Timex became one of the most popular sport watch brands thanks to its unique Indiglo backlight technology, which illuminated the watch face in the dark.

In the 21st century, Timex has continued to innovate with hybrid smartwatches, durable outdoor watches, and stylish re-releases of classic models. Today, the brand offers an extensive collection, appealing to both vintage watch enthusiasts and a new generation of wearers.

Most Popular Collections

Over the years, Timex has built an impressive résumé when it comes to iconic series and models — many of which have played a major role in putting the brand on the global map. Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of Timex’s most popular collections:

Timex Expedition

Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, the Timex Expedition series is made specifically for adventurers and nature lovers. These watches are built to be extra rugged, featuring shock and water resistance, often equipped with chronograph and compass functions, and of course, the signature Indiglo night-light for visibility in the dark.

Timex Ironman

The Timex Ironman is a favorite among athletes, runners, and fitness fans, and is one of the most popular sports watches in the world. This digital watch combines durability with sport-focused functionality. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear during workouts, and comes with features like a stopwatch with lap and countdown timers.

Timex Marlin

The Timex Marlin line pays homage to the classic models of the 1960s, blending vintage aesthetics with modern technology. Known for their retro look, minimalist design, and compact size, these watches stand out. The entire line consists exclusively of mechanical movements — but unlike many mechanical watches, the Marlin remains impressively affordable.

Q Timex

The Q Timex series features various re-releases of iconic models from the Timex archives. With its distinctive rotating bezel, stainless steel case, and woven metal bracelet, it’s the perfect watch for retro enthusiasts. Thanks to its nostalgic look and rich history, the Q Timex has become one of the brand’s most sought-after collections.

Timex Waterbury

The Waterbury pays tribute to the roots of Timex, which originally began as the Waterbury Clock Company. This heritage is reflected in the design of the series, featuring classic and elegant elements. Combined with modern precision, the result is a timeless watch made for those who want to wear a piece of Timex history on their wrist.

Why choose Timex?

Timex has a rich history and iconic collections, but it is the watch features that make this brand a must-have for your collection. The watches are (still) known for their robustness and reliability, they are durable, versatile and functional and also available at an affordable price. This in combination with their retro designs in a modern jacket means that there is a Timex watch for everyone!

At Watch.co.uk we are an official dealer of Timex watches and we have an extensive collection with more than 190 women's and men's watches! Discover which model is your perfect match on our Timex product page.