Timex Q Chronograph Evaluation: Glorious, Exact Cream of the Timex Crop

Timex invitations consumers to ‘Roar throughout the end 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 contemporary entries within the Expedition North lineup, the designers are roughly batting 1.000. Just some months in the past, I referred to as the Pan-Am Chronograph maybe “the best deal in the entire of the corporate’s lineup.”

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

“Impressed by the unique motoring watches that graced the tracks of Europe’s most iconic races, this timepiece celebrates the endurance of our legendary Nineteen Seventies Q Timex. An ultra-precise chronograph motion and black tachymeter bezel recreate the finesse and performance of a real racing watch, permitting you to find out elapsed time and common velocity like the best daredevils in motorsports.”

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

Briefly: In a 12 months of top-flight releases, the Q Chronograph is the perfect of Timex’s new crop. From its domed crystal and glorious motion to its classically impressed design, the watch is wearable, practical, and extra inexpensive than most comparable 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 slightly small.

Timex Q Chronograph Watch Evaluation

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 big, utilized Q brand standing in for the Greek.

However with its date window, double-weighted chrono hand and coloured sub-dials, Timex has completed 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, due to the signed crown and the downward sweep of the lugs.

What the heck does “Q” stand for, anyway? Easy — quartz. The complete Timex Q line is the model’s love letter to the heyday of its first implementation, and the Chrono isn’t 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. Sure, I do know Epson/Seiko are the identical firm, however with its simple pushers and easy reset (and per Timex Inventive Director Giorgio Galli), the Q’s internals characterize a practical improve.

Considerate, Retro Touches

Having a timer in your wrist is extra helpful than you suppose. I used it to trace every part from a great deal of laundry to gymnasium units and pizza. It helps that the Q’s exaggerated, retro pushers are pleasant to make use of. Take a 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, however it’s definitely interval right. And resulting from its softer nature, homeowners will be capable to buff out the blemishes themselves, utilizing a sprucing compound like PolyWatch.

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

Drawbacks

My largest criticism with the Q lies in its strap. Properly, complaints, really, because the downside is twofold. As snug because the leather-based is, I discovered its holes to be reasonably broadly spaced. Which means, for my 7-ish-inch wrist, the match all the time appeared both a bit tight or far too unfastened. And once I thought-about 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. However should you downgrade to one thing that’s a straight 18 mm, the dimensions mismatch will present. Is that this an enormous downside? No, because the inventory strap continues to be moderately cozy. But it surely 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 glorious 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.

Certain, 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 novel identification. The design riffs, glorious motion, and handy hatch for do-it-yourself battery modifications take one thing that would have been by-product and carry it into one thing transformative. Lengthy stay Q and quartz — this Timex stands by itself.

Test Value at Timex

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