Timex just expanded the Waterbury line with a new Ice Blue edition of the Waterbury Heritage Chronograph, and this one immediately caught my attention. I’ve been craving a Timex chronograph lately. Something I could throw on without overthinking it. This new release might be the one that finally pushes me from browsing to actually snagging a fun review piece for the site.
On paper, this is a straightforward expansion of the existing Waterbury Heritage Chronograph collection. Stainless steel case. Fixed tachymeter bezel. Bicompax layout. Quartz-powered. But the real headline here is the ice blue sunburst dial, which shifts the personality of the watch. The case stays true to the Waterbury formula. Brushed and polished stainless steel with a fixed tachymeter bezel that leans into that vintage motorsport look. The pushers mimic the look of screw-down units, reinforcing the sport chronograph aesthetic, while the watch itself is rated to 50 meters of water resistance. Daily wear is fair game. This is not something you buy for the pool.
The dial is where this edition earns its place in the catalog. It’s pretty spot on, but I think the ice blue sunburst finish definitely gives off platinum Rolex Daytona Reference 126506 vides. The Ice Blue Daytona a crazy, full-platinum version of the Daytona that sells for over $80,000 USD. While it’s a look that I’ve always admired, I’m fine admitting that I will definitely never own that watch. With this version, Timex gives us access to a similar look and feel for a serious bargain. Now, if only they went with a chocolate covered bezel… maybe that would be too on the nose but I would have loved to see it.
It sticks with a bicompax layout, keeping things visually balanced. At 9 o’clock you get a 60-minute chronograph counter, and at 3 o’clock there is a 24-hour indicator. There’s no running seconds sub-dial, which actually keeps the dial cleaner than you might expect. Baton-style hour and minute hands pair with applied indices that feature subtle chamfering, and lume is reserved for the hands and the central chronograph seconds hand. The spear-shaped tip on that chronograph hand adds a bit of old-school drama without overcomplicating the design. The indices themselves are not lumed, so low-light legibility will rely on the hands.
Inside is a quartz chronograph movement. For a watch positioned as an accessible racing-inspired piece, quartz makes sense. It keeps the case proportions manageable and the price grounded. The central chronograph seconds hand engages with that familiar snap you expect from quartz, and the 60-minute counter gives you practical timing for everyday tasks.
Timex is offering the Ice Blue edition in two configurations. On the stainless steel H-link bracelet with a butterfly clasp and quick-release system, it comes in at $349. The quick-release feature is a nice touch for anyone who likes to rotate straps without hunting for a spring bar tool. The second option is a brown perforated leather racing strap with a traditional pin buckle, priced at $299, which leans harder into the vintage motorsport vibe.
I’ve been circling the idea of adding a Timex chronograph back into my rotation for a while now. There is something nostalgic about the brand revisiting these heritage-inspired designs while keeping them attainable. This ice blue variant feels like the most compelling execution yet in the current Waterbury chronograph lineup—with a strong visual tie-in to the Ice Blue Daytona. It is familiar, but the dial gives it just enough personality to stand out.
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.