Ever encountered watches with excellent functionality that come at very affordable prices? If you have not, then Timex would be perhaps the best brand to check out for this experience. As one of the oldest American watch companies, Timex knows how to meet all its customers’ needs by offering reliable, diverse timepieces that can match every wearer’s style.
For those who are intrigued by the brand, below is a list of the 20 best Timex watches that we have rounded up just for you. We have curated some of the best Timex watches for diving, outdoor adventures, everyday wear, and virtually any other purpose you can think of. Whatever your needs are, we have made sure that each Timex piece will help boost your lifestyle without going beyond your budget. But before that, let us get to know a bit more about Timex as a trustworthy watchmaker.
A Brief Timex History
Unlike many of the big names in the market, Timex does not originate from Switzerland. Timex was actually founded in 1854 in the town of Middlebury, Connecticut and was originally named the Waterbury Clock Company (WCC). The brand wanted its products to be a perfect blend of European clock making and American craftsmanship, which they would then sell to an international market.
In 1887, the Waterbury Clock Company hit a huge milestone with its release of the Jumbo Pocket Watch in New York City. This timepiece was named after the circus showman P.T. Barnum’s famous elephant in the traveling circus. One famous patron of the Jumbo Pocket Watch was Robert H. Ingersoll, an entrepreneur who eventually became the business partner of the Waterbury Clock Company. Ingersoll helped the company by producing millions of pocket watches under his own label.
Several years later, World War I began and there was a sudden demand for military watches. The Waterbury Clock Company quickly realized that there was an opportunity it could capitalize on here. In order to adapt to the demand for military watches, the Waterbury Clock Company created improvised timepieces using a small Ingersoll Midget ladies’ pocket watch with a movable crown and canvas strap. Eventually, these improvised military watches became a staple for many soldiers because of how versatile, easy to use, and lightweight they were.
In 1941, with World War II, the Waterbury Clock Company ran into significant financial difficulties, much like other watch companies during that time. Nevertheless, the Waterbury Clock Company continued to help with the war efforts, creating bomb fuses and other defence-related timing defences for the US Army. As a result, the company became the largest producer of fuses and military equipment. The Waterbury Clock Company even earned the Army-Navy E Award from the United States for its efforts and eventually managed to pull through the war successfully.
A couple of years after World War II, the Waterbury Clock Company underwent another huge change when Thomas Olsen, a Norwegian refugee, bought over its major stake and renamed it Timex. The brand’s new name was derived from Olsen’s favorite publication and tissue brands, which were Time and Kleenex. With this step, the company began to truly flourish in the global market, selling affordable watches and keeping up with technological advancements in the horology world.
Timex’s history is also a testament to the effectiveness of marketing strategies. The brand’s slogan, “Timex Takes A Licking and Keeps on Ticking“, became immensely popular on televisions. Timex even used durability tests in its TV commercials to prove, on the spot, the sturdiness and durability of its watches. As a result, Timex gained a reputation for producing hardy, budget-friendly watches that could really take a beating.
Today, Timex remains one of the top watch brands in the world, known for providing the public with accurate time displays, durable timepieces, and essential timekeeping functions.
20 Best Timex Watches for Men and Women in 2022
1. Expedition North Field – Best-Selling Timex Watch
- Case Diameter: 38 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
- Movement: Mechanical Hand-Wound
Priced at $229, the Expedition North Field is one of the best-selling Timex watches. As an eco-friendly watch option, this timepiece has captured the hearts of many. Rather than using materials made from animal skin, Timex adopted the use of a sustainable, cruelty-free leather strap for this watch. It also showcases a luminous dial display and a 100-meter depth rating. Presented in a 38mm stainless steel case, this timepiece caters to both men and women.
2. Ironman R300 – Best Timex Smartwatch
- Case Diameter: 41 mm
- Case Material: Resin
- Strap and Lug Width: 24 mm
- Movement: Digital
The best Timex Ironman watch that you can buy is probably the Ironman R300, which retails at $129 USD. This is the perfect watch to help you with your workouts and exercise. It helps you keep track of your daily steps, sleep, calories, and even distance when running. Its built-in guided workouts are also sure to help you reach your fitness goals. This smartwatch comes with a 25-day battery when in smart display mode and can last for up to 20 hours when using its GPS continuously.
3. Easy Reader – Most Popular Timex Watch
- Case Diameter: 35 mm
- Case Material: BRASS & LLB
- Strap and Lug Width: 18 mm
- Movement: Quartz Analog
The Easy Reader is arguably the most well-known Timex watch for men and women with its straightforward display and affordable price. Released in 1977, it remains incredibly popular today, with a price tag of just $50 USD.
This watch is offered in a wide variety of models with different case sizes. However, we recommend the Easy Reader® 35mm Fabric Fast Wrap® Strap Watch, because of its easy versatility. This watch is housed in a 35mm silver-tone case that stands out wonderfully against the stark black hands and indices of the dial. Indeed, this timepiece shows off a quintessential, timeless design that will simply never go out of style.
4. Ironman Transit – Best Timex Watch for Everyday Wear
- Case Diameter: 33 mm
- Case Material: Resin
- Strap and Lug Width: 12 mm
- Movement: Digital
The $75 USD Ironman Transit is another popular watch from Timex. This is a practical sports watch with a soft silicone rubber strap that offers utmost comfort and durability when outdoors. It also comes with a built-in customizable alarm, a timer, and a 10-lap memory function. Even more remarkable is its Timex Pay feature, which allows you to make contactless payment with your phone. With all these features, this is definitely an exceptional watch that will make your everyday life easier.
5. Timex Family Connect – Best Timex Watch for Families
- Screen size: 1.3″ Shatter Resistant display
- Memory: 4GB internal memory (ROM)
- Operating System: Android N
- Processor Speed: 1.09 GHz quad-core processor
Do you want to spend time with your family even when you are apart? For just $192 USD, you can connect with your kids securely and privately through the Timex Family Connect. With this timepiece, they can receive your calls, texts, and video calls without the need to access the internet or any other applications. It can also share real-time locations regardless of time zones, so you can keep track of your kids. In addition, the Timex Family Connect even gives you alerts if your kids enter into any restricted places you have set.
6. Metropolitan S – Best Timex Digital Watch
- Case Diameter: 36 mm
- Case Material: Aluminum
- Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
- Movement: Digital
If you are looking for the best Timex digital watch, then the Metropolitan S would probably be your best bet. Selling at $179 USD, the Metropolitan S possesses all the modern features you need in a smartwatch. For frequent explorers, this watch comes with a built-in GPS. Sports enthusiasts can make use of the 24/7 activity tracker and the optical heart rate monitor to keep track of their health and stats. This watch has handy a two-week battery life. You can get the stylish Metropolitan S in either a 36mm gunmetal grey or rose gold case.
7. MK1 with Military-inspired Grosgrain Strap – Best Timex Military Watch
- Case Diameter: 36 mm
- Case Material: Resin
- Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
- Movement: Quartz
Hailing from the Timex Archive, the Timex MK1 with Grosgrain Strap is an outstanding military watch with a timeless design. As a reissued version of the Timex Camper from the 1980s, it comes with embroidered text, a military-inspired Grosgrain fabric strap that can withstand any challenges, a 24-hour military time display, and a handy 30-meter depth rating. With its straightforward, highly legible dial layout, this military watch is perfect for those who love simple and precise timekeeping.
8. Q Timex 1978 Reissue Date – Best Vintage-Inspired Timex Watch
- Case Diameter: 35 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 18mm
- Movement: Quartz Analog
Representing the old yet iconic quartz movement that the brand is known for is the Q Timex 1978 Reissue. It is offered in a variety of different colorways, but all of them boast the same retro-inspired vibe from the 70s. The specific model we are looking at comes with a light champagne dial, with an angled day-date complication at 3 o’clock. Its polished hands and hour markers are inspired by New York City’s skyscrapers, which can catch light from any angle. For $169 USD, you can get this powerful quartz watch with lovely vintage details.
9. Navi Depth – Best Timex Dive Watch
- Case Diameter: 38 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 18 mm
- Movement: Quartz
The Navi Depth is yet another one of the pioneering Timex watches. It shows off traditional dive watch features, including a 100-meter water resistance rating, highly legible vintage-style indices, and a rugged-looking silicone strap in black. Much like the Rolex GMT watches, this watch is equipped with a handsome two-tone bezel. In particular, it resembles the popular Rolex Coke, bearing a similar the same metallic black and red elapsed time scale bezel. Of course, unlike the Rolex watch it resembles, the Navi Depth comes with a quartz movement and a much lower price point of $160 USD.
10. Waterbury Classic Chronograph – Best Timex Chronograph Watch
- Case Diameter: 40 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
- Movement: Quartz Analog
Inspired by the original Timex Waterbury from the 1980s, the Timex Classic Chronograph is an impeccable, highly-functional chronograph piece with an extremely simple layout. This watch comes with a 40mm black-tone case, coupled with a matching black stainless steel strap and straightforward black dial. Standing out against the dial are white rectangular indices and sword hands, allowing for optimal readability.
This watch also comes with a date complication and three chronograph sub-dials that are cleanly spaced out, for the 60-second, 30-minute, and 10-hour counters. With its versatile all-black look, you could easily bring this chronograph watch to the racetrack, or to your next formal corporate dinner.
11. Ironman T200 – Best Timex Sports Watch
- Case Diameter: 42 mm
- Case Material: Resin
- Strap and Lug Width: 16 mm
- Movement: Quartz Digital
If you are a health nut looking for the best sports watch Timex has to offer, then look no further than the Ironman T200. With its 42mm resin case and matching resin strap, this is an extremely lightweight, easy-to-wear piece that is loved by athletes worldwide.
On top of that, this sports watch offers useful sports functions, such as an interval training timer that records your tracks, lapses, and intervals, alerts for your warm-up and cool-down sessions, and chronographs counters for you to time yourself. Equipped with a 100-meter depth rating and a coin-cell battery that requires no recharging, the Ironman T200 capably fulfils every need a sportsman might have for just $70 USD.
12. Marlin Automatic with Timex Pay – Best Timex Leather Watch
- Case Diameter: 40 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
- Movement: Mechanical Automatic Wind
For the best Timex leather watch, check out this contemporary version of the Timex Marlin. Selling for around $279 USD, this watch comes with a quintessential build, including a 40mm stainless steel case and a beautiful, soft leather strap in brown, and a timeless silver sunray dial.
The best thing about this Timex Marlin watch’s strap is that, on top of looking elegant and being extremely comfortable to wear, it is also equipped with advanced Timex Pay technology. This allows you to make contactless transactions using the strap, which is extremely convenient for your daily routines.
13. Timex x Judith Leiber – Best Timex Watch for Women
- Case Diameter: 38 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 18 mm
- Movement: Quartz Analog
As a brand, Timex is known for catering to both men and women alike. One wonderful timepiece that is sure to please all the ladies is the Timex x Judith Leiber. A collaboration with Judith Leiber, this is an exquisite watch that brilliantly resembles the famous Rolex Rainbow Daytona.
The most striking thing about the Timex x Judith Leiber is the 900 Swarovski crystals encrusted all over it, from its case and bracelet down to its dial and lugs. These crystals come in a rainbow variety of hues, giving the watch a perky flair that simply draws the eye. On the dial, you can find 12 large, colorful baguette crystals, which serve as the watch’s hour markers, along with luminous, modern-style hands. Retailing at $1,200 USD, the Timex X Judith Leiber is the most exorbitant watch on this list. It is an exceptional option for those who love to shine and dazzle wherever they go.
14. M79 Automatic Stainless Steel – Best Timex Automatic Watch
- Case Diameter: 40 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 18 mm
- Movement: Mechanical Automatic Wind
Automatic watches are something that is offered by virtually every watch brand today. However, if you are looking for a reliable, more affordable entry-level piece, then Timex has just the watch for you: the Timex M79 Automatic Stainless Steel. Inspired by the 1970s Q Timex, this modern automatic timepiece was upgraded with a 21-jewel mechanical movement. With its classic all-stainless steel build and its 50-meter water resistance capacity, this is a versatile watch that can be worn on any occasion, be it casual or formal. It has an estimated price tag of just $279 USD.
15. American Documents – Best Timex Dress Watch for Men
- Case Diameter: 41 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
- Movement: Swiss Quartz Analog
Need something to complete your formalwear for your next dinner party or corporate event? Then check out the Timex American Documents. This classic dress watch for men is one of the most handsome Timex watches you can find. It is presented in a 41mm stainless steel case with a smooth, satin-brushed finish and a double-layered dial that has been printed thrice to give it an exquisite, multi-dimensional look.
The Timex American Documents’ dial also boasts a simple, minimalist flair, as it comprises just simple stick indices, finely beveled silver hands, a date window at 3 o’clock, and a submerged small seconds sub-dial. On the underside of the watch, you can find a stamped and plated gold-tone caseback, which adds to the watch’s stylish classiness. This watch is worth approximately $495 USD.
16. Fairfield 37MM – Best Timex Dress Watch for Women
- Case Diameter: 37 mm
- Case Material: Low Lead Brass
- Strap and Lug Width: 18 mm
- Movement: Quartz Analog
Men are not the only ones who love wearing classy dress watches. Sometimes, women love to dress up for fancy parties too, and what better to elevate their look than a lovely ladies’ dress watch? For those seeking just that, the Timex Fairfield 37MM is the answer they need.
This exquisite watch comes in a slender 37mm case made of low lead brass that has been well polished, giving it a lustrous, refined look. Adding to its elegance is its white dial, which is adorned with beautiful rose gold-tone indices and hands. These hands and indices are also coated with INDIGLO® Night-Light, allowing for optimal readability even in low-light conditions. Finishing off the watch’s dressy look is a stylish blue leather strap. You can purchase this minimalistic dress watch for women for just $79 USD.
17. Time Machines – Best Timex Watch for Kids
- Case Diameter: 34 mm (Kids Size)
- Case Material: Resin
- Strap and Lug Width: 17 mm
- Movement: Digital
For just $25 USD, you can get this fun watch that is sure to be adored by any kid: the Timex Time Machine. Designed to teach children basic math skills and how to tell the time, this watch comes with simple, handy functions, including a countdown timer, a customizable alarm, a chronograph counter, and a 30-meter depth rating.
In addition, the Timex Time Machine is also equipped with a colorful adjustable fabric band. This strap is available in various fun designs, such as flowers, sharks, lizards, pandas, and more, depending on the model you get. All of these are great for playful kids who love the outdoors.
18. iConnect® by Timex Kids Active – Best Timex Smartwatch for Kids
- Case Diameter: 37mm (Kids Size)
- Case Material: Resin
- Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
- Movement: Digital
An affordable Timex smartwatch for kids would be the Timex iConnect® model, which costs just $45 USD. With this watch, you can teach your child to be responsible for and keep track of their own health. Timex iConnect® comes with a health tracker that monitors their step count and heart rate.
In addition, its customizable display screen and media controls make the watch more fun, as kids can play around with their timepiece and select settings that best suit them. Its multi-day battery life and compatibility with Android and iOS devices also make this smartwatch extremely convenient.
19. Timex MK1 – Best Mechanical Watch
- Case Diameter: 36mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
- Movement: Mechanical Hand-wind
The Timex MK1 is a vintage, military-inspired piece that showcases a lovely olive green dial and fabric strap. Housed in a 36mm stainless steel case, this watch offers a handy 24-hour time display and a reliable mechanical movement held together by 20 jewels. It also comes with quick-release spring bars, so you can easily replace the watch’s rugged strap without needing any tools. Selling at $185 USD, this mechanical watch makes for a simple and trustworthy beater piece.
20. Weekender 40 – Best Timex Unisex Watch
- Case Diameter: 40 mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
- Movement: Quartz Analog
The Timex Weekender 40 is probably the best affordable unisex watch you can find on the market. Retailing at $80 USD, this watch shows off a simple beige dial with a useful 24-hour time display. A great thing about this unisex Timex watch is that you can freely customize the case and strap. Wearers are offered a choice between a silver or grey-tone 40mm stainless steel case. The strap is also offered in black leather, brown leather, or a variety of colorful nylon designs. You can also engrave the Timex Weekender 40’s case, making it a great personalized gift for that special someone in your life.
Wrap Up
So, there you have it. We hope that our picks for the 20 best Timex watches will cover all your needs. Hopefully, this list has also helped you choose the perfect watch that suits all your preferences and tastes. The Timex watches above are reliable, affordable timepieces and almost all are equipped with the brand’s remarkable Indiglo® light-up dial. This is an essential feature that offers optimal legibility during low light and night use. With that said, which Timex model is your favorite? Feel free to comment below and let us know what you think!
Photo credits: Timex’s official website.
If you want to read about more fun watch collections, check out our watch buying guides for different brands!
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