Timex has pulled another “Q” gem from the archives: the Timex Q 1972 Time Machine Reissue in a 39mm tonneau case made of recycled stainless steel. Available in a blue “sunray” or “tiger’s eye” dial, 50m water resistance, domed acrylic glass, 20mm quick-release lugs, and priced at 249 $ (silver) or 279 $ (gold).
Timex knows how to make the past the present. At a time when European manufactures were still skeptical about quartz, the American giant introduced a model in 1972 that represented a small leap into the future – Timex Q 1972 Time MachineThe new reissue takes us back to that moment while adding some practical updates for 2025.
From crisis to classic: a brief history of quartz at Timex
The “Q” in Q Timex stands for “quartz” – a collection that Timex used to democratize the precision and affordability of watches in the 1970s. The brand’s archives say that the “Time Machine” was one of Timex’s first quartz models (1972), which nicely explains the “Quartz Since 1972” inscription on the dial of today’s reissue. This is not a museum piece, but living history on your wrist.
Design: 1970s, with a clear view of 2025 – Timex Q 1972 Time Machine
The case is a 39mm wide tonneau shape and is fully polished. The domed acrylic crystal is entirely period – softer than sapphire, yes, but easily polished, and that’s part of the charm. Beneath the crystal are “floating” applied indexes that cast a dramatic light onto the blue “sunray” or brown “tiger’s eye” surface with their height from the base. The date window is trapezoidal, the hands are polished, and the whole thing hits exactly that “space-age” feel we love about Q Timex.
Bracelet: flowing geometry
Instead of an integrated solution, there's a steel, geometrically articulated bracelet with 20mm lugs and quick-release clasps. This means you can swap it out for leather or rubber in seconds - no tools, no drama. A practicality for those who love to experiment with straps, but the aesthetic remains solidly retro.
Specifications (briefly): Timex Q 1972 Time Machine
- Model: Q Timex 1972 Time Machine Reissue
- Housing: recycled stainless steel, polished finish
- Dimensions: 39 mm diameter, 15 mm thickness
- Glass: domed acrylic
- Waterproof: 50 m
- Movement: quartz (analog)
- Bracelet/strap: steel bracelet, width 20 mm, “quick-release”; folding clasp
- Dials: dark blue sunray or brown “tiger’s eye”
- Other: trapezoidal date window at 3 o'clock
Note: The silver version uses the SR626SW battery, while the gold tone version uses the SR920SW battery.
Colors and materials: is “tiger’s eye” real?
The gold-toned version features a “tiger’s eye” dial, which Timex describes as a “tiger’s eye” – visually imitating the dramatic stripes of the stone; some media outlets are reporting that it’s real stone. Timex doesn’t explicitly confirm this on the product page, so we’ll leave it as an open note for the more specific. In any case, the effect looks convincingly retro in the light.
How is it different from the 2022 version?
If you followed the previous Q Timex 1972 Reissue, it was 43 × 39 mm (length × width) on a leather strap and with a bold red “burgundy” dial face – very “glam” 70s. This new “Time Machine” goes more everyday: 39 mm, steel bracelet, more subdued dials and still 50 m water resistance and domed acrylic. In short, less spectacle, more wearability – but the DNA remains.
User experience: size, thickness, reality
Timex Q 1972 Time Machine – 39mm hits the sweet spot today (even on smaller wrists), and the 15mm thickness conveys an old-school feel, but with reasonably curved lugs it doesn’t overwhelm the wrist. Acrylic is more likely to scratch than sapphire, but a little paste can quickly fix it. 50m of water resistance is enough for rain and swimming, but not for diving. This is a watch for the city, for a concert, for a Friday in the 70s and a Monday in 2025.
Price and availability
Q Timex 1972 Time Machine Reissue not a limited edition and is exclusively available through the Timex online store. Silver with a blue dial it costs 249 $, gold the tone with the “tiger’s eye” 279 $ (regional prices on the EU side vary).
Conclusion: a small time machine without a big bill
Timex has proven once again that the “archive” is not a dustbin, but a training ground for ideas. The Q Timex 1972 Time Machine Reissue is both meticulously period and utilitarianly modern: floating indexes, domed acrylic, a geometric bracelet and a simple but precise quartz soul. At under 300 $ / euros, this is a very authentic, very fun entry into the 70s – guaranteed to be a pleasure to wear for years to come. If you like this direction, also explore the other Q Timex reissue models; it is the best “hit-repeat” in the catalog of affordable watches.
