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This Retro Timex Watch Comes with Over 100 Years of US Military Heritage

One of Timex’s most collectible timepieces returns, now armed with a score of modern updates.

Close-up of a bronze watch with a black dial, yellow hands, and an olive green fabric strap on a patterned fabric background.Avirex
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By Jack Seemer

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The name Timex didn’t appear on a watch until the 1950s. But the brand’s backstory actually goes back nearly a century before that.

Only then, it went by Waterbury Clock Company, and you can probably guess what it made in those days.

This isn’t to say watches arrived out of the blue by the time the first Timex came around.

During First World War, the company supplied simple field watches for the US military, later sold to civilians under the Ingersoll brand name.

Now, another century gone, that watch is getting a new lease on life in the form of the Japan-exclusive TA-25-A.

Black leather-strap wristwatch with a black dial and beige numerals worn on a wrist with a white shirt and blue jeans.
The TA-25-A is a modern reinterpretation of the military watches Timex made before it even went by “Timex.”
Avirex

Big in Japan

Made in collaboration with Avirex, which has its own ties to the US military (mainly with jackets), the TA-25-A is not actually a true reissue of the watches worn by US soldiers.

That one measured around 32mm, with a case based off a ladies’ pocket watch design. The TA-25-A, meanwhile, arrives with a modern 38mm case, available in two variants: shiny or brushed stainless steel.

Silver Timex wristwatch with black dial and beige numerals on an olive green fabric strap worn on a wrist.
The watch comes in two finishes, shiny or brushed stainless steel
Avirex
Olive green woven fabric watch strap with silver metal buckle engraved "TIMEX".
The watch comes with two NATO straps, one nylon and the other black leather.
Avirex

As for face, Timex and Avirex swapped out the spade hands of the original, replacing them with new ones inspired by the cockpit instruments found in US military aircrafts, both brands say.

It’s a trait they share with the black dial and simple Arabic numerals, updated with Indiglo for low-light visibility.

Round silver Timex wristwatch with black dial, beige numerals, and black leather strap.
Timex and Avirex say the face is inspired by the instruments inside military aircraft. In any case, it features Indiglo for low-light visibility.
Avirex

Powered by a quartz movement, the TA-25-A costs 33,000 Japanese yen (about $212).

Each example comes with two NATO straps, one green nylon and the other black leather.

Round silver Timex wristwatch with black dial, beige numerals, and olive green fabric strap.Avirex

Timex x Avirex TA-25-A

During First World War, the company that would later become Timex supplied simple field watches for the US military. Now that watch is getting a new lease on life in the form of the quartz-powered, Japan-exclusive TA-25-A, which arrives with a modern 38mm case, available in two variants: shiny or brushed stainless steel. The spade hands of the original were also replaced with new ones inspired by the cockpit instruments found in US military aircrafts.
About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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