There are certain Timex releases that immediately put me in a specific headspace. Not pure nostalgia, more that familiar collector feeling of uncovering something slightly odd, slightly forgotten, and wondering how it ever existed in the first place. The Timex Black Max is a watch I knew mostly through old photos, forum lore, and that infamous ad. So seeing Huckberry and Timex bring it back felt surprising. And still a little risky.
The original Black Max from 1978 was unapologetically weird. Motorsports-inspired but not a chronograph. A tachymeter that was more attitude than function. Five-minute markers instead of hours. A bright orange seconds hand doing its best impression of something more serious than it actually was. And then there was the look. Fully blacked out, helmet-shaped case, clearly borrowing confidence from Porsche Design at a time when black watches were still a provocation. This new version isn’t a carbon copy, and I think that’s the right call.
Material upgrades are immediately apparent. Stainless steel replaces the old base metal and plastic, and the bracelet has been reworked into a much cleaner H-link design. The black PVD coating looks properly done and gives the watch the kind of visual weight the original always promised. The dial, thankfully, stays true. Same concave bowl shape. Same gloriously unnecessary tachymeter. Still pointless in practice. Still great to look at.
There are some modern concessions. Water resistance is now a very usable 100 meters, mineral crystal replaces acrylic, and the case grows from 38mm to 41mm. I miss the original helmet-style case more than I mind the size increase. The new lugs make it easier to wear, but they also sand off a bit of that late-’70s personality.
The movement choice is where expectations matter. The original was automatic. This one is quartz. And honestly, I’m fine with that. For a watch this design-driven, quartz makes sense. It keeps the price sane, it’s easy to live with, and it suits the idea of this being a grab-and-go sports watch rather than a mechanical purist exercise. Not everything needs to be romanticized.
At $249, the new Black Max feels appropriately positioned. It’s affordable, distinctive, and rooted in real Timex history without being trapped by it. It’s not trying to be precious. It’s just trying to be cool again. And for a watch that was always more about attitude than specs, that feels exactly right.
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.
I’ve been trying to get a hold of you guys via DM and email about the Monta Triumph review. It’s been sitting in Google Drive for almost a month. Is there a problem with it? Thanks! Mark