Timex’s New Retroware Digital Looks Like a Futuristic Watch from the ’80s

Equipped with a playful digital display and a surprisingly intuitive button layout.

Digital Timex watch with gray case and buttons showing time 10:09 AM, date Wed 14-10-25 on a wrist.

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Unlike Casio’s repertoire of throwback timepieces, Timex’s catalog often bucks familiarity in favor of raising eyebrows.

This is never more evident than reissues like the uber-simple SSQ, the futuristic LCA or the obscure 1972 Time Machine. But with its latest effort, the watchmaker creates a brand-new reference that looks like it could’ve been hanging in a department store case in the early ‘80s.

Blue Timex digital wristwatch with large segmented display and buttons labeled "Start Lap" and "Stop Reset. — Timex debuts the Retroware Digital, a completely original quartz piece that pays homage to ’80s-era sports watches.

Homage horology

As opposed to Timex’s slew of Q Timex revivals, the Retroware Digital is an original model that pastiches old-school digital sports watches. The parking meter shape is reminiscent of the brand’s original Triathlon and Ironman references from the mid-’80s.

Black watch strap with ridged texture and silver buckle engraved with "TIMEX" on a silver watch back. — The parking meter shape evokes images of the brand’s Ironman and Triathlon models from the mid-’80s.

Blue Timex watch strap with silver buckle and stainless steel back case. — Stretching 46mm across, the case is made of resin and is water resistant to 50m.

However, the digital display here is rather unique. Instead of a traditional readout, Timex opts for large, curvy numerals that dominate the dial. It’s goofy and might take some time getting used to it, but it also pushes the needle just enough to convince onlookers that this was an actual retro-futuristic watch that existed decades ago.

Two Timex digital watches side by side, one black and one blue, both with large digital displays and rubber straps. — The Retroware Digital comes in matte black and matte blue, but its playfully large time readout is the standout here.

More than just a pretty face

While the playful time display recalls the seconds counter on Fossil’s ana-digi icon from the ‘90s, the Big Tic, the lower third of the dial gives you even more info. Running on a battery-powered quartz movement, the home screen provides a full calendar, and the timepiece also offers chronograph, timer and alarm functions.

Blue Timex digital wristwatch with large display showing time, date, and buttons on a wrist. — Aside from its goofy display, the watch also gives you a full calendar, chronograph, alarm and timer.

The button layout is pretty intuitive here. It doesn’t try to cram all of its functions into just four buttons on the side (like you might find on a G-Shock), but has an additional two on the front for the stopwatch feature.

Available in black with a reverse LCD display or blue with a traditional LCD, the Retroware Digital spans 46mm across the matte resin case and is water resistant to 50m. It’s also backlit by Timex’s legendary Indiglo for nighttime readability.

Both variants come with color-matching resin straps as well.

Availability and pricing

The Retroware Digital is available now from Timex’s website. It’s priced at $149.

Black digital Timex watch with rectangular face and segmented rubber strap.

Timex Retroware Digital

$149 at Timex

About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he’s not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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