I have a soft spot for early Timex history, even if most people only associate the name with post-war affordability and mall displays from decades later. The Waterbury Clock Company roots always felt more interesting to me. There’s something grounding about a brand that didn’t start with watches at all, then quietly became part of everyday American life by way of utility rather than aspiration.
That early military connection is where Timex tends to get my attention again. Long before the Timex name showed up on dials in the 1950s, Waterbury was supplying simple field watches to the US military during the First World War. Those pieces later filtered into civilian life under the Ingersoll name, carrying with them a kind of unpolished honesty that still resonates with collectors who like their heritage a little imperfect.
The new Japan exclusive TA-25-A leans directly into that lineage, even if it is not pretending to be a museum grade recreation. This is a modern interpretation, built with contemporary proportions and updated materials, framed through collaboration rather than strict historical accuracy.
Avirex is the partner here, which makes sense. Their long standing association with military flight jackets gives this project a shared cultural language. It feels less like a licensing exercise and more like two brands speaking fluently about the same era, just through different objects.
The original field watch this draws from was small, roughly 32mm, and rooted in pocket watch architecture. The TA-25-A steps firmly into modern territory with a 38mm case, offered in either polished or brushed stainless steel. That decision alone tells you this watch is meant to be worn today, not studied behind glass.
The dial keeps things familiar and legible. Black, straightforward Arabic numerals, and a layout that prioritizes clarity. The hand set moves away from the old spade style and into something inspired by aircraft cockpit instruments, according to Timex and Avirex. It is a subtle shift, but one that nudges the watch closer to aviation culture without overcomplicating the design language.
Indiglo is present here (YAY), which feels almost obligatory for Timex and honestly appropriate. It is one of the few modern touches that has become part of the brand’s identity rather than a concession to convenience.
Inside is a quartz movement, which feels aligned with the spirit of accessibility that Timex has always leaned on. At 33,000 yen, roughly $212, this sits squarely in the category of historically inspired watches that do not ask for emotional justification or financial gymnastics.
Timex includes two NATO straps with the TA-25-A, one green nylon and one black leather. It is a small detail, but one that reinforces the idea of versatility and everyday wear rather than preciousness.
This is the kind of release that makes sense if you already appreciate Timex for what it is. A brand that understands its past, borrows from it selectively, and presents it in a way that feels usable now. The TA-25-A is not trying to recreate a moment in time. It is acknowledging it, then moving forward at a comfortable pace.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.