I've been collecting watches a long time (30 years). We are definitely enjoying a new era of watches and I'm loving it. So what, the watch may not be great, but when even Timex gets back into mechanical watches you can't just help but smile and smile.
Marc thanks for this review. I appreciate the fact you also show the shortcomings of the watches you sell. Not for me as I don’t like the vintage design. For 20 dollars more I rather get an Islander!
@@whodeycinbengals I work hard for my money. I'm not about to spend $300 on a watch just because it says Timex. There are plenty of better watches for a lot less money. This watch is for people who don't know what they are looking at. If you like the look and don't mind the price by all means go by one. I won't call you any names.
When it's in the price range of an islander or a helm or a zelos ill pass. This is a 100 dollar watch with a 50 dollar name on it. $150 is where this watch belongs. But hey at least timex is making autos for those who want them.
There's no way I'd pay more than $50 for that. 50m it's downright ridiculous for a dive watch. They do have a 100 meters on some of their other dive watches (Navi XL). That one is actually a decent watch. This one is just a toy for Timex watch collectors.
Great honest review. A 7S26 and Hardlex had no problems selling at this price point. I think this will do fine. It’s not a reasonable price for the specs but for the fun it might be priced just about right.
Love the review...as an amateur vintage watch restorer and collector, I have hundreds of old Timex windups and self winds. This is a great homage to those days. And growing up in Watertown CT, next to Waterbury where Timex was made, they have a place in my soul.
People keep saying I can buy Orient etc. for cheaper the difference is for one it's not fair that everyone uses Amazon prices for the Orient on an older out of production watches compared to retail pricing of a current in production Timex. Go on to Orient's website and they aren't priced at a $100 more in the $300 and way up But more importantly Timex invokes strong fond memories for a lot of people, me being one of theem and don't mind spending the money, Orient on the other does not inspire the same nostalgia or anything of that nature. Orient is a fine watch but bland , vanilla if you will. with a Pall Mall cigarette logo. 20 years from now people won't be looking back at an Orient but I gurantee they still will over Timex and THATS why they can charge $279 and get it.
There are people who just appreciate brand history and heritage ... I'm in the "pure value for money" camp, and Islander watches are too good to resist :D
I really appreciate the honesty of this review Marc. I was really interested in this watch for the design, but now I think I'll pass due to the specs. I'd rather save the little extra and get an Islander.
Looks great, I could accept the acrylic, I could accept the hair pulling, I could accept the entry level movement...but 50m on a dive watch with no screw down crown and that plastic looking bezel (from the side profile) kill it for me.
Interesting insight on the sales of the 5KX. It just goes to show us "watch enthusiasts" count for a fairly small segment of the mass market for watches, and the same probably is true of across the whole price spectrum.
I have the Q Timex quartz watch with the Pepsi bezel which I paid $115 for. I understand the reasons for the acrylic crystal and the hair-eating bracelet, but for an almost $300 watch that is not smart
As a long time Timex lover i am not really into the direction Timex has been going. For one how they are making the modern simplistic face watches. Also I did not like how they discontinued their IQ series,which i have several of those. The Timex Yacht Racer and Flyback chronograph are my favorites. And then the Weekender. Overall i still appreciate that Timex is making mechanical watches again.
People saying this is a $79 dollar watch are crazy. Sure you can find cheaper watches but everyone knows what your looking at. That's being said $279 is slightly overpriced. This would be perfectly prices at around $200 ideally $179. But it's definitely a nice looking I'll give it that.
I wish Timex would make an honest mid-Tier watch - upgraded movement, sapphire crystal, min 100M water resist etc. Timex collectors would pay for it. It does look good...just too much $ for what it is.
@@KarlDahlquist Maybe not the discount store buyer but they can market it to a different watch enthusiast....one who has fond memories of a childhood watch and would love to have a "real" Timex watch to be proud of. Rebrand it as "Grand Timex".....Timex Professional.....or similar.
They did try that with the TX line a few years ago, with the multiple hands, sapphire and upgraded quality. Not automatic, but an attempt at innovation and upgraded quality. TX line is now gone, with the multiple hand movements moved to main line.
I love my Timex Q and I would love this one as well but the two things holding me back are the price increase and the hair pulling bracelet. It is otherwise beautiful.
Acrylic crystals are simply better than mineral crystals because scratches and dings are easily polished out with ordinary silver polish you can get from any supermarket. A mineral crystal is a nightmare to get scratches out of.
I kept posting about wanting the Islander black dial, type-b pilot watch to come back in stock and am so happy to have finally bought one! Mine is the one you're shipping down to south FL, take good care of it for me, hah. Can't wait for it to arrive.
Hey Marc, not sure if you are a New York Islanders fan, but they are doing really well in the playoffs. They are my dark horse favorite to go all the way. :). Maybe you can do a watch in their honor. :)
Any chance you’ll be stocking the new Casio GBX-100 models? I want to order one, but can’t find them on your shop. Best negative displays available it looks like. I’ll wait to order from you, if you can source them... Thanks!
Love m79 automatic yah should of put seiko nh35 instead timex amazing company I got my san martin KM SEASHARK 21 WITH PICTURE STARK UNDER 12 O'CLOCK BELOW BEAUTIFUL work great crown
I think Timex could go in a whole new direction if they desired. Shift production back to North America (Mexico, Canada and the U.S.) the PR marketing value of that would be great. Go to their back catalogue and make only a few models every year (for maybe 2-3 years and then switch to another model) at higher specs and quality ... yes sales would go down but price and exclusivity would go up as would value for some discontinued models. They have the history heritage and pedigree. China has taken over the low end market and much of the Timex, as evidenced by the casback, is also made in China. Why go head to head - take a different route.
@@islandwatch gotcha ... i still say they are better off trying to be Seikoish, Orient or Casio or Citizenish .. currently they have the cheap, quartz, loud tick, 'bouncy' hands reputation where many move on to look at the aforementioned brands. I have a Timex. But they seem caught in 'no man's land'.
Is it possible to change the insert? If yes could you please recommend me the exact type or at least the dimensions to hopefully use an insert from different watch.
I once had a cheap TIMEX quartz. It eats battery literally lasting only about 1 year at max. In the end I had to rely on another Quartz (Lorus) which is cheap but Battery lasted about 2 years each time.
Hiya all.Ref.quartz has anyone seen the new resin case Breitling just released with thermo compensated movement. Has a Casio vibe,expensive but non the less a cracker? Cheers.
I'm not really sure who the customer for this is? It replicates the old 70s Q styling except adding an automatic movement really blows up that aesthetic. I actually get the regular Quartz Q homage/reissue, that makes sense from a style and functional perspective. I guess maybe this is aimed at Timex fans who grew up and got into more watches but still have nostalgia for the roots products? Certainly not bashing on you, Marc- you're just the vendor, it's not like you told Timex to make this thing! ;-) I'm just kind of struggling to understand the niche it occupies. As you say, Timex is selling a ton of 'em so someone really likes it.
"Mercedes hands" . . . technically there is a small T, presumably for "Timex" in the hour hand. Maybe call them "Toyota hands". More befitting the station of this watch.
Geez ! I thought you said Fatman and since I'm 275 pounds 5,5 I thought you meant me ! My hearing and sight are not very good Mark so I will forgive you ! The Islander is ten times so much more better. Some I would even consider eating ! Cheers 👍
This watch isn't much better than my $65 snk809. That said I like the look but for 20 bucks more I get an islander. By the way when are the ISL-18 coming back???
Honestly I don't quite understand why Timex felt the need to release this. The Q Timex I get -- it's celebrating their quartz watch history, and it looks pretty good. This though ... for me, the lack of hacking is a dealbreaker.
Timex. Setting the greed dial on 11. Who cares about watches, we need profit profit I tells ya. Sir your new Corvette is here. Have emm send it right up. Profit!!!
Timex means quite a lot to me, I had one as my first watch and I understand the nostalgia but it's a $100 watch if that. $20 more gets you an Islander so why the hell would you bother. I honestly think this watch is a fuck you from Timex to us.
I had a Timex Q. I sold it to a friend the next day. Big hair puller. 279 USD is a ripoff. You can get better Casio watches for under 50 than this hunk of junk in my opinion anyway. Yes, the islander line up is a good deal for the money and not much more in price than this Timex.
Yo Strapcode, if you watch this video, make a high end version of the bracelet so some dumb schmuck doesn't get robbed for $279. Timex outta their minds.
Maybe that dumb schmuck thinks you’re watches with all the bells and whistles doesn’t appeal to him as much. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and not all of us care as much about that stuff as we do the way it looks. This Batman is beautiful to me.
This is an obvious cash grab. They could have bumped the price up to 300/320 (euro even) for this + a Seiko movement, domed sapphire and proper lume. Oh and ANY acceptable depth rating. Double points for a matte ceramic bezel. They could move up into desirable territory rather than junky nostalgia land.
This watch is all about attention grabbing design which gives it a Wow factor, and a Cool rating that is off the charts. That alone makes it worth the price, and the watch geeks will never understand this. You will probably get more positive feedback from a Timex Batman, than you would from a “luxury” watch costing many times its price.
I've been collecting watches a long time (30 years). We are definitely enjoying a new era of watches and I'm loving it. So what, the watch may not be great, but when even Timex gets back into mechanical watches you can't just help but smile and smile.
It looks good but the only person(s) I see buying this are a Timex collectors(s). Thanks for sharing it Marc! 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
No problem 👍
Marc thanks for this review. I appreciate the fact you also show the shortcomings of the watches you sell. Not for me as I don’t like the vintage design. For 20 dollars more I rather get an Islander!
I appreciate that!
It looks good! I would be willing to buy one for about $79 instead of $279.
Deal. Nope!
@@islandwatch 😂😂😂😂
Why I not to buy 3 Invicta divers for 80$ in 40 mm case with Seiko nh 35 movement?
That is a great-looking $90 watch!
LOL
Oh look, watch snobs.
@@whodeycinbengals I work hard for my money. I'm not about to spend $300 on a watch just because it says Timex. There are plenty of better watches for a lot less money. This watch is for people who don't know what they are looking at. If you like the look and don't mind the price by all means go by one. I won't call you any names.
When it's in the price range of an islander or a helm or a zelos ill pass. This is a 100 dollar watch with a 50 dollar name on it. $150 is where this watch belongs. But hey at least timex is making autos for those who want them.
I get it.
There's no way I'd pay more than $50 for that. 50m it's downright ridiculous for a dive watch. They do have a 100 meters on some of their other dive watches (Navi XL). That one is actually a decent watch. This one is just a toy for Timex watch collectors.
$279 ? My beloved Orient Kamasu cost me a buck or two LESS then that.
Understood.
"Orient" sounds cheap. TIMEX sounds like a fun ROLEX.
Great honest review. A 7S26 and Hardlex had no problems selling at this price point. I think this will do fine. It’s not a reasonable price for the specs but for the fun it might be priced just about right.
Thanks Michael.
Love the review...as an amateur vintage watch restorer and collector, I have hundreds of old Timex windups and self winds. This is a great homage to those days. And growing up in Watertown CT, next to Waterbury where Timex was made, they have a place in my soul.
Very cool!
People keep saying I can buy Orient etc. for cheaper the difference is for one it's not fair that everyone uses Amazon prices for the Orient on an older out of production watches compared to retail pricing of a current in production Timex. Go on to Orient's website and they aren't priced at a $100 more in the $300 and way up But more importantly Timex invokes strong fond memories for a lot of people, me being one of theem and don't mind spending the money, Orient on the other does not inspire the same nostalgia or anything of that nature. Orient is a fine watch but bland , vanilla if you will. with a Pall Mall cigarette logo. 20 years from now people won't be looking back at an Orient but I gurantee they still will over Timex and THATS why they can charge $279 and get it.
I think they've nailed the 70's look...but it has 70's specs.... It's probably worth the money if you want that look.
Thanks.
There are people who just appreciate brand history and heritage ... I'm in the "pure value for money" camp, and Islander watches are too good to resist :D
True, thanks.
Watch enthusiasts should appreciate this piece because it’s going to be a great “gateway” watch for the masses.
It sure is.
If it was under $200 I might consider it, but at $279 I would snap up an Islander in a heartbeat. Nice looking watch though.
Win for me
I really appreciate the honesty of this review Marc. I was really interested in this watch for the design, but now I think I'll pass due to the specs. I'd rather save the little extra and get an Islander.
Looks great, I could accept the acrylic, I could accept the hair pulling, I could accept the entry level movement...but 50m on a dive watch with no screw down crown and that plastic looking bezel (from the side profile) kill it for me.
At least I told you that before you had to think about it!
@@islandwatch and this is why we keep coming back for more! Cheers Marc.
The plastic spacer under the bezel kills it for me.
For $279 there should be NO plastic involved. Anywhere.
No externally at least
Interesting insight on the sales of the 5KX. It just goes to show us "watch enthusiasts" count for a fairly small segment of the mass market for watches, and the same probably is true of across the whole price spectrum.
It looks so much better in person somehow!
I am just now wearing my Long Island Islander 42 mm samurai, phenomenal watch!
Thank you.
I have the Q Timex quartz watch with the Pepsi bezel which I paid $115 for. I understand the reasons for the acrylic crystal and the hair-eating bracelet, but for an almost $300 watch that is not smart
You can get the Cadisen with a miyota 9015 on the ali Express sale right now for about $90.
I don't doubt it.
@@islandwatch idk how they do it.
spec wise, yes i get it, it's expensive but it looks great - the water resistance is the biggest issue for me
Looking like a Vostok from the side.
As a long time Timex lover i am not really into the direction Timex has been going. For one how they are making the modern simplistic face watches. Also I did not like how they discontinued their IQ series,which i have several of those. The Timex Yacht Racer and Flyback chronograph are my favorites. And then the Weekender. Overall i still appreciate that Timex is making mechanical watches again.
People saying this is a $79 dollar watch are crazy. Sure you can find cheaper watches but everyone knows what your looking at. That's being said $279 is slightly overpriced. This would be perfectly prices at around $200 ideally $179. But it's definitely a nice looking I'll give it that.
I wish Timex would make an honest mid-Tier watch - upgraded movement, sapphire crystal, min 100M water resist etc. Timex collectors would pay for it. It does look good...just too much $ for what it is.
For 1000? Get it?
@@islandwatch They could probably could do it for $500-750 upgraded to compete with Seiko, Citizen etc.
Timex customers won't pay that much...
@@KarlDahlquist Maybe not the discount store buyer but they can market it to a different watch enthusiast....one who has fond memories of a childhood watch and would love to have a "real" Timex watch to be proud of. Rebrand it as "Grand Timex".....Timex Professional.....or similar.
They did try that with the TX line a few years ago, with the multiple hands, sapphire and upgraded quality. Not automatic, but an attempt at innovation and upgraded quality.
TX line is now gone, with the multiple hand movements moved to main line.
I love my Timex Q and I would love this one as well but the two things holding me back are the price increase and the hair pulling bracelet. It is otherwise beautiful.
Acrylic crystals are simply better than mineral crystals because scratches and dings are easily polished out with ordinary silver polish you can get from any supermarket. A mineral crystal is a nightmare to get scratches out of.
This is true.
Why you don't replace it with sappfire? A few years ago it costs a lot of bucks. But at the moment it's at reasonable price, thanks to China )
I kept posting about wanting the Islander black dial, type-b pilot watch to come back in stock and am so happy to have finally bought one! Mine is the one you're shipping down to south FL, take good care of it for me, hah. Can't wait for it to arrive.
Awesome, thank you.
The Q was interesting at the price. This could be too. But as it stands, it just can't compete within its current price bracket.
Hey Marc, not sure if you are a New York Islanders fan, but they are doing really well in the playoffs. They are my dark horse favorite to go all the way. :). Maybe you can do a watch in their honor. :)
$279 is steep for what you get spec wise. Would rather spend the extra $ on the ISL18 when it comes back in stock 👊🏼
I am taking a bow
If it was thinner I would buy it 😭 absolutely love the color/look
that's a cool clock in the background. i got the mesh bracelet for my bambino. ty sir.
Rock on!
Dear Mark, Have you heard from Damasko? No updates on their site. Not sure what I'm hoping to hear, it's just sad what happened. Best, D. From Stl.
Any chance you’ll be stocking the new Casio GBX-100 models? I want to order one, but can’t find them on your shop. Best negative displays available it looks like. I’ll wait to order from you, if you can source them... Thanks!
Love m79 automatic yah should of put seiko nh35 instead timex amazing company I got my san martin KM SEASHARK 21 WITH PICTURE STARK UNDER 12 O'CLOCK BELOW BEAUTIFUL work great crown
I think Timex could go in a whole new direction if they desired.
Shift production back to North America (Mexico, Canada and the U.S.) the PR marketing value of that would be great. Go to their back catalogue and make only a few models every year (for maybe 2-3 years and then switch to another model) at higher specs and quality ... yes sales would go down but price and exclusivity would go up as would value for some discontinued models. They have the history heritage and pedigree.
China has taken over the low end market and much of the Timex, as evidenced by the casback, is also made in China. Why go head to head - take a different route.
They have tried some 'back to USA' stuff, but its not easy.
@@islandwatch gotcha ... i still say they are better off trying to be Seikoish, Orient or Casio or Citizenish .. currently they have the cheap, quartz, loud tick, 'bouncy' hands reputation where many move on to look at the aforementioned brands. I have a Timex. But they seem caught in 'no man's land'.
Is it possible to change the insert? If yes could you please recommend me the exact type or at least the dimensions to hopefully use an insert from different watch.
Crazy, I was just looking into this watch yesterday
Perfect timing?
Dude, you gotta release some more Pinky’s. I actually signed up on you waiting list😫
Good looking piece. Just a bit over what I would want to pay though, but I have noticed that in the past year watches have gone up in price lately.
Indeed.
Why no GMT and the according Bezel. Black/blue bezels are beautiful for sure, but to me just like the pepsi bezel it means : GMT watch.
I'll have an Islander auto #ISL-09 or 10 with a quartz movement....thanks =)
I once had a cheap TIMEX quartz. It eats battery literally lasting only about 1 year at max. In the end I had to rely on another Quartz (Lorus) which is cheap but Battery lasted about 2 years each time.
Hey mark! Big fan! 18 yr old here!
Hello!!!!!!
Neat, but...I’m a value for money shopper. No.
I do have a soft spot for the Q, but not at MSRP.
Thanks Brian.
is there a possibility of a batman islander?
Is the bracelet made by Speidel??
Hiya all.Ref.quartz has anyone seen the new resin case Breitling just released with thermo compensated movement. Has a Casio vibe,expensive but non the less a cracker? Cheers.
Nope.
hi i got a seiko zucca brand new for 140 bucks,btw i hope the timex had a decorated movement and a sapphire crystal and it was under 200
Sweet.
I’m into watches and i know some stuff say specs-wise... but I’d still buy this one! Really gorgeous watch!
I'm not really sure who the customer for this is? It replicates the old 70s Q styling except adding an automatic movement really blows up that aesthetic. I actually get the regular Quartz Q homage/reissue, that makes sense from a style and functional perspective. I guess maybe this is aimed at Timex fans who grew up and got into more watches but still have nostalgia for the roots products? Certainly not bashing on you, Marc- you're just the vendor, it's not like you told Timex to make this thing! ;-) I'm just kind of struggling to understand the niche it occupies. As you say, Timex is selling a ton of 'em so someone really likes it.
How come you don't sell technomarine watches marc i would love to see some videos about them to help me learn more about mine
overpriced quartz in my opinion.
They are a bit pricey i can see where your coming from
"Mercedes hands" . . . technically there is a small T, presumably for "Timex" in the hour hand. Maybe call them "Toyota hands". More befitting the station of this watch.
i'll take a toyota over a mercedes any day
A Timex to Time Eggs.
I think the movement is a 8205 - the 8215 doesn't have a day disc iirc
Yes, was wondering who would pickup on that.
Nice looking watch. I prefer the Q though
Fair enough!
Geez ! I thought you said Fatman and since I'm 275 pounds 5,5 I thought you meant me ! My hearing and sight are not very good Mark so I will forgive you ! The Islander is ten times so much more better. Some I would even consider eating ! Cheers 👍
Right on. LOL
This watch isn't much better than my $65 snk809. That said I like the look but for 20 bucks more I get an islander. By the way when are the ISL-18 coming back???
Give me some time!
I like the hair on my arms!!
Two words bro
Casio Duro
Honestly I don't quite understand why Timex felt the need to release this. The Q Timex I get -- it's celebrating their quartz watch history, and it looks pretty good. This though ... for me, the lack of hacking is a dealbreaker.
Nostalgia, and building on past success.
I would take an Islander over this all day long.
Is the watch itself made in America?
China
Have a watch with a 9015,, sapphire crystal and 5atm bought for £86?
Nope.
@@islandwatch What the hell do you mean NOPE ffs?
Cheeky #@#@!!!!
Timex. Setting the greed dial on 11. Who cares about watches, we need profit profit I tells ya. Sir your new Corvette is here. Have emm send it right up. Profit!!!
:)
Do the Timex designers even know the purpose of bezel coloring? They put a 24H coloring pattern on a 60M bezel.
Looks great to me
Ran out of beer.....
Bought Red Stripe.....
Hoping this will put in some good vibes
Sitting here with my beer wait on the Wave.......
hmmmmmm
Not a good sign when the sales rep struggles to find nice things to say about the watch.
Timex means quite a lot to me, I had one as my first watch and I understand the nostalgia but it's a $100 watch if that. $20 more gets you an Islander so why the hell would you bother. I honestly think this watch is a fuck you from Timex to us.
what is an Islander ?
No thanks, I'll buy an Islander instead 😉
$279 ☹
Only a tad more than a quartz DW :)
he Looks like Mr. Bean
you got the Good, you got the Bad..... but do you have the Ugly???
It will sell out in one day, not for me.
Probably not; I really have alot of them.
Ack! That bracelet is hideous!
It's not as bad as people say!
I agree.
Overprised ☣️
Dive watches are like Jeep Wranglers, more people buy them for the look than the capability.
I had a Timex Q. I sold it to a friend the next day. Big hair puller. 279 USD is a ripoff. You can get better Casio watches for under 50 than this hunk of junk in my opinion anyway. Yes, the islander line up is a good deal for the money and not much more in price than this Timex.
Understood.
I hate non hacking movements 😒
Doesn't bother me, but I know it bugs many.
18mm lugs. nope
Time is up for Timex!
Never. They are riding high.
Maybe for you. Seems like they are doing great!
@@whodeycinbengals True, but I wouldn’t waste my money on buying one!
I would modd it.
With what?
@@islandwatch sapphire crystal
Sappfire, ceramic bezel, hands and dial with c3 or bgw9, and of course nh 36? Without 20 atm wr it's no sense in my opinion )
spend a bit more and get a seiko
Or a bit less and get an orient
LOL
To me looks like some chinese chepo. Since i'm from europe Timex name means nothing to me.
Yo Strapcode, if you watch this video, make a high end version of the bracelet so some dumb schmuck doesn't get robbed for $279. Timex outta their minds.
Maybe that dumb schmuck thinks you’re watches with all the bells and whistles doesn’t appeal to him as much. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and not all of us care as much about that stuff as we do the way it looks. This Batman is beautiful to me.
dot cawwwwwwwwwwm
This is an obvious cash grab. They could have bumped the price up to 300/320 (euro even) for this + a Seiko movement, domed sapphire and proper lume. Oh and ANY acceptable depth rating. Double points for a matte ceramic bezel. They could move up into desirable territory rather than junky nostalgia land.
I'll wait till a "homage" lands on ali express with the above specs.
Thanks for commenting.
It's overpriced, end of story for me.
Save the disappointment guys.. get yourself an Islander instead
Too much bad too less good.
ok
Way too expensive
Specs are horrible...
Maybe? But the looks?
This watch is all about attention grabbing design which gives it a Wow factor, and a Cool rating that is off the charts. That alone makes it worth the price, and the watch geeks will never understand this. You will probably get more positive feedback from a Timex Batman, than you would from a “luxury” watch costing many times its price.
Thanks for the feedback.
🤢 Fashion watch brigade.
All watches are fashion watches 🙂
@@liptenlaw Fashion watches are cheap trash with a designer name on, the Timex is slightly better but not by much.
Wish it hacked
Marc, Stop pulling the rug out on all of the arguments before we get a chance to be curmudgeons. Some of us like to be expressively fussy.
I had to silence the comments before they started.
lol a ripoff it is get a islander instead and enjoy
Islander over this overpriced piece all day long.
Understood!