Timex enters the integrated sports watch fray … for little more than $200.
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Over the past decade, I’ve seen just about every watch brand in existence try its hand at emulating one very notable watch. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
After its release in the 1970s, the Royal Oak ushered in a new era of sporty-yet-high-end watches with integrated bracelets — a trend that’s since infiltrated even entry-level timepieces. See: the Tissot PRX, Christopher Ward The Twelve and Citizen’s line of Series8 automatics.
Now, the most affordable brand of them all, Timex, is staking its claim with its latest Q Timex watch, the Falcon Eye Chronograph. And honestly, it might be the most luxurious Timex I’ve ever seen.
Wait, Is that a PRX?
There’s a lot to like about this new Q Timex, so let’s break it down. First up is the stainless steel bracelet. It’s a vertically brushed, flat-link style bracelet with singular T-shaped links and a generous taper to a small, double-push-button clasp.
While lacking some of the polish, both literally and figuratively, it looks a lot like an inverted PRX bracelet. It appears to be the same bracelet seen on the Q Timex 3-Time Zone Chronograph, and I’m struggling to think of another Timex bracelet I’ve seen that looks even half as good.
One more thing on the bracelet: It looks integrated, but it isn’t. Like other Q Timex models, the case’s hidden lugs create the illusion of integration without the requirement of proprietary straps. You can swap in any 18mm strap, though I’m not sure why you’d want to.
Feelin’ blue
As nice as the bracelet is, the focus of the Q Falcon Eye is the dial. This was true on the first reissue of the Falcon Eye that was released back in 2020, and it’s even more true with the new version.
Like it’s predecessor, the Q Timex Falcon Eye Chronograph features a dial decorated with Côtes de Genève finish. Also known as Geneva stripes and typically seen on high-end mechanical movements, the finish gives a luxurious look to the dial as it changes with the light.
The new chronograph’s dial is also a more brilliant blue than what we saw on the original Falcon Eye, vaguely recalling some of the superstars of the luxury sports watch genre, like the Vacheron Constantin Overseas. (I said vaguely, call off the dogs.)
It’s also a chronograph, ’cause why not?
The final big change for this version of the Q Timex Falcon Eye is it’s now a chronograph rather than a time-only watch. This inherently makes it feel higher-end, since there’s added functionality, but it also looks spectacular with the three-register layout. Sure, the 4:30 date window will no doubt tick off a few people, but I don’t mind it here, since it reminds me a bit of a Zenith El Primero layout.
Rounding out the specs, we’ve got pump-style pushers for the chronograph, the Q Timex line’s trademark battery hatch on the caseback, a 40mm stainless steel case, a domed retro-style acrylic crystal and 50m of water resistance. And perhaps best of all? The watch costs just $219.
Is it the most luxurious Timex ever?
Technically, the Q Timex Falcon Eye Chronograph isn’t the most luxurious Timex ever made. That honor goes to the Swiss-made Timex Giorgio Galli S2 Automatic that was released last year. But since that watch was priced at $1,000 and competes in a completely different market, I’m giving the Q Timex Falcon Eye Chronograph the nod as the most luxurious Timex ever that’s still priced, well, like a Timex.
I haven’t seen the watch in person yet, so maybe it’s a piece of junk. (Given Timex’s recent streak of hits, though, I doubt that.) But it looks awesome, and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen any watch — Timex or not — that looks this good for this little money.
TimexTimex Q Timex Falcon Eye Chronograph
Specs
| Case Size | 40m |
| Movement | Quartz chronograph |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
Pros
- The best-looking bracelet we’ve seen on a Timex
- Blue striped dial is absolutely stunning
Cons
- 4:30 date window will irk some
- No micro-adjustment on the clasp
For more affordable watches, including the latest from Timex, be sure to check out our roundup of the best affordable new watches.
