We love watches for all sorts of reasons. Like any sort of love, there’s not—or at least, there should not be—a formula for what does it for you. If you only care about high horology, I’d say you’re selling yourself short on all the fun cheap stuff. If you’re obsessed with grey market prices, I’d say you’re better off buying gold bouillon if market speculation is your kink. If you’re only interested in niche references and microbrands, I’d say you’re trying a little too hard to be different. The spot you want to be, as with everything, is somewhere in the middle. At that point you reach Nirvana. You can see a watch, understand there’s nothing that makes it especially exemplary, and still say: This is fun; I love it. That’s where I’m at with these Timex Reissues.
First of all, I’m writing about them—they being the Q Timex 1971 Velocity and the Timex World Timer, both from the Reissue line—because they were just added to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale at 33-per cent-off. They’re infinitely cooler than the other watches in the sale, and the price cut is tempting me to pull the trigger on one or the other.
My love for them, though, is down to the weirdness. The Timex Reissue program likes to keep a lot of the original design elements, and I think that makes it a great place to get something really funky for a decent price. Here, the World Time has that angular cushion case. And, using the actual world time function happens in a roundabout way since there are no numbers on the watch, besides your trapezoidal date window—very ’70s. The Velocity is a a more straightforward racing watch, but still stands out with that crosshairs dial, orange second hand, and checkered rubber band. They’re both a cool little downshift from whatever your usual flexes or daily drivers happen to be.
Like I said, not every watch you love needs to come with a thesis on why. I love these because: they’re fun, they’re off-beat, and they’re cheap—now, as cheap as you’ll ever find them. Grab one and add a bit of whimsey to your rotation.
Q Timex Reissue 1971 Velocity, Rubber Strap
Now 33% Off
Timex World Time Reissue Leather Strap
Now 33% Off