2017 TIMEX Easy Reader Special Edition, for the opening of the TIMEX Tokyo Store
Hello, this is Alan. Thanks for reading. My contact info is at the bottom.
Here is a pretty special watch from April 2017. It was designed as a special, limited edition by Giorgio Galli to coincide with, and commemorate, the opening of the world's first stand-alone TIMEX store ever, the TIMEX Tokyo Store, which opened on April 21, 2017.
The watch is an Easy Reader, and is also in celebration of 40 years of the Easy Reader line, which began in 1977. TIMEX decided to make a special 40th Anniversary edition of Easy Reader, and this Tokyo watch is a modification of from that line (a few watches from the main line are pictured below.)
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This watch was a very generous gift from a friend in Japan, and I feel very grateful to have it.
The 40th Anniversary Easy Reader editions are 40 mm case diameter, larger than the usual Easy Reader. White dial, with black lettering and dial marks, along with black hands. The lettering, ANNIVERSARY EDITION on the main 40th Anniversary line has been replaced with TOKYOSTORE 2017. Also, the INDIGLO WR30M at the bottom of the dial has been dropped in the Tokyo edition.
Special 40th signage on the back. The small "40" at the bottom is just coincidence, in that 40 is the date code for manufacture in April 2017.
Surprise! You depress the crown to activate Indiglo, and you see it's glowing bright and PINK. And as some have described it as, there is an "Easter Egg" hidden in the dial that only shows up with Indiglo, a big 40 is seen in shadow. Pretty cool...
The strap is quite nice . It is made by the Horween Leather Company of Chicago, founded in 1905. The leather is thick, probably double layer, with mostly black stitching, but an attractive lateral stitch in white thread near all four lugs.
The back is steel, and the case is probably chrome plated. It seems to be very nicely finished. Crown is signed T. Here you can see how thick is the leather strap, and appreciate the white contrast-stitches.
(Now I just noticed, the seconds hand is silvery, while the others are black.)
Back of the strap is signed in red: TIMEX EASY READER ESTABLISHED 1977
Architectural rendering of the TIMEX Tokyo Store, which opened on April 21, 2017, in the Shibuya neighborhood of Tokyo.
(You can see that TIMEX is not far from "Cat Street," which sounds fun, described by Google Maps as a "quiet backstreet with limited car traffic, lined with funky & upmarket fashion boutiques & cafes.")
Finally, one of the best photos you will ever see of this watch, taken by its designer Giorgio Galli, photographed at Tokyo's Imperial Palace Garden around the time of the store opening. This photo was posted on his Instagram, April 23, 2017, reposted here courtesy of Mr Galli.
This is a beautiful, nicely finished sizeable watch, with a 40 year legacy. It comes on a very good strap, has a pleasing Indiglo function, and runs very well with its quartz movement.
I feel very grateful to have what is a special watch; ever since I learned of the existence of the Tokyo Store, I have enjoyed the idea of it. A first-ever TIMEX shop, created to highlight and promote the TIMEX brand, display and sell some of the more "select" TIMEX pieces, including the Japan-only watches, and provide quality personalized strap options. But the store also has led to the creation of lots of (very fun) non-watch TIMEX merchandise, and has allowed in the store the display of historical TIMEX pieces, TIMEX ads, other ephemera, and more.
So, to be wearing not just a really well-made TIMEX, but one that also is connected to the opening of this unique store, is really just wonderful. I feel lucky, and I am grateful.
Thank you for reading.
I hope you will like it.
Alan
Contact:
Website: Alan's Vintage Watches
