Ben Hogan Timex FAIRWAY Golfter's Watch.
2001 re-creation of an unusual 1950s original!
Hi, this is Alan. Thanks for reading this review. My contact info is at the bottom. Here is a seemingly rare 2001 re-issue of an early 1950s Timex watch that was designed to be worn by golfers. The original '50s version was signed Ben Hogan, who was a legendary American golfer. In the Fifties, Timex made a few different wristwatch versions with the Ben Hogan on the dial, I believe a Ben Hogan pocket watch, and this box-like collapsing Ben Hogan "beltwatch," with a belt clip to attach to your belt while golfing.
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The watch fully collapses, and closes to resemble a mini suitcase. If you look at the first pic above, and imagine pushing on the face of the watch at 12 o'clock, the watch part tips back, and you can close the "leather top." It then locks into place with a clasp. The original watch I'm sure was leather, and had also this rounded grain appearance. I'm not sure if the re-issue was leather or simulated leather, but it looks very close in color and overall appearance.
Turning the watch over, you can see that attached to the back of the collapsing case are two clips. This allows the golfer to clip the watch to the belt of waistband of their golfing pants or golfing skirt.
Opening up the whole thing, you can see the two halves of the case, with a hinge in between. The part with leather is the part to the right. You can also now see a squiggly flange projecting from the left side of the watch. The flange slots into a groove and allows it to slide easily when you open and close the clock.
Fairly simple design, similar to original, but without Ben Hogan signed to the dial. The original had radium hands and hours, the re-issue has non-luminous pale green paint. Like the original, there is no seconds hand.
Movement is quartz.
J8 indicates that the watch was made in August 2001, but I'm pretty sure it didn't go on sale until November 2001, and sold exclusively through the Target Stores, as part of a "Heritage Series" of a handful of various watch re-issues based on 1950s and 1960s models.
I deliberately turned the picture sideways to show how the watch is meant to be worn. When the watch is open, and the back of the case is attached to the belt using the clips, the watch dial is facing up towards the sky. And towards golfer's eyes. So, they look down at their waist, to see the time.
It's a pretty wonky thing. I'm not sure how many golfers actually wore it on their belt. You can find the original for sale from time to time. I don't golf, so it makes a pretty good desk clock,
Here is Ben Hogan and his wife Valerie, in 1947.
Thank you for reading.
I hope you will like it.
Alan
Contact:
Website: Alan's Vintage Watches
