1950 TIMEX, from the very beginning of the TIMEX wristwatch brand!
This is truly archival TIMEX. It is from 1950, from the very first offering of "TIMEX" branded watches from US Time Corporation. It is a watch from the very beginning of TIMEX! See this page, a catalog from March 1950. It's one of the "Handsome Round" models.
Unlike later 1950s Timex watches which may have been signed WATERPROOF on the dial, or SHOCK PROTECTED, SELF-WINDING, etc, this simply says TIMEX. The dial and hands are non-radium. The hands look like the type that could be filled in with radium paint mix, but in this case they are empty, see-through. Nice red seconds hand. BTW, I am Alan, my contact info is below.
The case measures 31.5 mm horzontally, without the crown, and the case is plated base metal. Crystal, like many of these, was roughed up a fair bit, and I was able to take down many of the scratches, but there are still some remaining. The watch does not run, sadly!
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Caseback only has the US TIME stamp, nothing else.
The dial is "white," but has a kind of salt & pepper, almost metallic-looking surface to it. I'm not sure if this was intentionally part of the original paint, or some kind of quality acquired over time. Here you can see the hour numbers, and all other dial marks are not radium, but applied black paint.
I took a few photos using a 15x loupe magnifier and the camera on my phone (Samsung G8). They all have some degree of distortion, but look a bit "arty" haha.
The caseback is actually an integrated back & movement holder in one. This is unusual, and isn't seen in most of the commonly seen Marlin, Self-Wind and other TIMEX from the mid and later 1950s, which all had separate movement holders made of metal or sometimes white plastic. You can see the slot for the stem. It's clear that this could not be a waterproof case.
Here, the dial/movement assembly is sitting in that integrated caseback - movement holder. Then, the rest of the case and crystal portion snaps on. No rubber gaskets on the stem or case.
Big pic of the dial and movement on their own. Such a simple looking watch. Numbers 12, 3, 6, and 9, with tall triangles for the other hours. Short hash marks at the periphery, for every minute/second, with numbers marks for each five increments.
At the top of the dial, hidden when it is in the case, is this code. 21 refers to the movement #21. At the bottom of the dial, also hidden, is MADE IN USA. These macro pics show also some punctate green discoloration to the edges of the dial.
Here are two photos of the movement 21. Lots of brass. Later movements had more "grey metal" components, "V-CONIC" movement with "Armalloy" balance, as widely advertised for TIMEX, and often stamped onto the casebacks. (See this pic from a later 1950s TIMEX.)
A truly archival TIMEX from the dawn of TIMEX watches.
It has a dial that is beautiful in its stark functional simplicity, and lack of unnecessary decoration.
Thank you for reading.
I hope you will like it.
Alan
Contact
Website: Alan's Vintage Watches.
Here is the artist rendering of this watch, from the initial 1950 dealer catalog introducing US TIME's new TIMEX watches. it is one of the "Handsome Round" watches.
