Timex Q Chronograph Review: Excellent, Precise Cream of the Timex Crop

Timex invitations patrons to ‘Roar across the finish line’ with its newest timepiece.

It’s been a hell of a 12 months for Timex. Between the brand new Waterbury Ocean, a Nigel Cabourn collab, and recent entries within the Expedition North lineup, the designers are kind of batting 1.000. Just a number of months in the past, I known as the Pan-Am Chronograph maybe “the finest deal in the whole of the company’s lineup.”

But with the discharge of the brand new Timex Q Chronograph ($199), it seems the corporate saved 2022’s finest for final. Take a glimpse on the press line:

“Inspired by the original motoring watches that graced the tracks of Europe’s most iconic races, this timepiece celebrates the endurance of our legendary 1970s Q Timex. An ultra-precise chronograph movement and black tachymeter bezel recreate the finesse and function of a true racing watch, allowing you to determine elapsed time and average speed like the greatest daredevils in motorsports.”

Hey, for slightly below $200, all of that sounds fairly nice. So when Timex reached out with the possibility to check drive one in all these chronographs, my assessment, as they are saying, was off to the races.

In brief: In a 12 months of top-flight releases, the Q Chronograph is the perfect of Timex’s new crop. From its domed crystal and wonderful motion to its classically impressed design, the watch is wearable, purposeful, and extra reasonably priced than most related retro items. Small touches just like the battery hatch, date window, and exaggerated push-buttons assist the Q stand by itself, even when the band is a bit small.

Timex Q Chronograph Watch Review

Look, there’re no two methods about it — the Timex Q Chrono takes its inspiration from the Omega Speedmaster. That tachymeter bezel is a signature look, with the massive, utilized Q emblem standing in for the Greek.

But with its date window, double-weighted chrono hand and coloured sub-dials, Timex has achieved sufficient right here to make the Q its personal factor. The case form helps set it aside, with its broad, flat angles spreading above and beneath the bezel. I additionally just like the look of the chassis in profile, because of the signed crown and the downward sweep of the lugs.

What the heck does “Q” stand for, anyway? Simple — quartz. The complete Timex Q line is the model’s love letter to the heyday of its first implementation, and the Chrono is not any exception.

After greater than every week of wrist time, I want the Q’s Epson motion to the Seiko mica quartz of the Pan-Am. Yes, I do know Epson/Seiko are the identical firm, however with its simple pushers and easy reset (and per Timex Creative Director Giorgio Galli), the Q’s internals signify a purposeful improve.

Thoughtful, Retro Touches

Having a timer in your wrist is extra helpful than you assume. I used it to trace the whole lot from a great deal of laundry to fitness center units and pizza. It helps that the Q’s exaggerated, retro pushers are pleasant to make use of. Look at ’em — they’re the identical form because the warp pipes that Mario and Luigi journey by.

In a cloth sense, the acrylic crystal additionally represents one thing of a throwback. It’s going to be much less scratch-resistant than mineral or sapphire, but it surely’s definitely interval right. And as a result of its softer nature, house owners will be capable to buff out the blemishes themselves, utilizing a sharpening compound like PolyWatch.

The utilized indices are well-done, even when the lume is a bit uninteresting. And try the hatch on the again of the case. That’s a reasonably neat element, permitting you to swap out the battery with ease.

Drawbacks

My largest grievance with the Q lies in its strap. Well, complaints, really, because the downside is twofold. As snug because the leather-based is, I discovered its holes to be relatively broadly spaced. This signifies that, for my 7-ish-inch wrist, the match all the time appeared both a bit tight or far too free. And once I thought of transferring it to a NATO, I found that the lugs are solely 18 mm.

Now, the included leather-based flares out from the spring bars, making the band look and put on like a bigger strap. But if you happen to downgrade to one thing that’s a straight 18 mm, the scale mismatch will present. Is this an enormous downside? No, because the inventory strap remains to be fairly cozy. But it does restrict the flexibility and enjoyable of swapping in several supplies or colours.

Conclusion

At slightly below $200 (or $219 on the bracelet), the Timex Q Chronograph is an all-around wonderful watch. It was equally at residence on the bicycle, within the woods, and within the kitchen, and even dressed up properly when it was time to exit for dinner.

Sure, it takes a number of design concepts from the Speedmaster, however who cares? If it’s an imitation, I’ll rely it as the very best type of flattery.

Personally, I feel the Q Chrono does sufficient to carve out a singular id. The design riffs, wonderful motion, and handy hatch for do-it-yourself battery modifications take one thing that might have been spinoff and raise it into one thing transformative. Long reside Q and quartz — this Timex stands by itself.

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