Timex x Greats Bayman Dive Watch
By: Michael Penate
We’ve spoken at length about how Timex has been hitting it hard this year. Whether you’re looking at something as solid as their Navi Harbor or the special edition Todd Snyder models, it’ll be easy to pick up something stylish and super affordable without much difficulty these days. This recent boom in vintage-inspired collaborations is something I’m totally okay with, but it’s also nice to see Timex put something special together with a bit more backstory. This is the exact approach taken with the Timex x Greats Bayman dive watch, which was designed in collaboration with Ryan Babenzien, founder of the Greats sneaker brand.
One of the first things people might notice about this watch is its size and sand-blasted case. At 43mm, it’s pushing the limits for me personally but for something as casual and carefree as the Bayman, I think the size works together with the overall vibe. The Bayman’s story, however, goes a little deeper than your typical bro-down at the beach and the watch itself was inspired by Babenzien’s first Timex handed to him by his grandfather when he was six. Not only is this charming, but it’s a story I think many of us can relate to since Timex probably played a big role during the childhood stages of wristwatch enthusiasm.
The Timex x Greats Bayman also pays homage to an important childhood locale for Babenzien – the Great South Bay located between Fire Island and Long Island. This is taken a step further with a deep shade of blue on the matte dial and aluminum countdown bezel. On the caseback, we’re also presented with coordinates for the Great South Bay. This also appears to be a snap caseback, but Timex still indicates that the watch is capable of 100m of water resistance.
Some final touches include large Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 together with cool home plate-style markers throughout the rest of the dial. The watch, of course, features Timex INDIGLO, a rock-solid quartz movement, and a navy blue NATO-style strap with matching sand-blasted hardware. The hands are also insanely fun, and feature a cool semi-skeletonized design that leaves the dial feeling a little more open and sporty.
Timex x Greats Bayman Specs
- Case Diameter: 43mm
- Thickness: 11.5mm
- Lug Width: 20mm
- Water Resistance: Rated for 100m
- Movement: Quartz
- Crystal: Mineral Glass
- Strap: Nylon NATO-style
- Price: $105 USD
Currently, 100% of the proceeds tied to Timex Bayman sales will go to the Save the Great South Bay project. So if you’re looking for a fun, summery dive watch you can knock around for about $100, I think this Timex is a solid choice. Personally, I dig the quirky addition of a countdown bezel and hope we see more of these low-cost divers in smaller sizes.
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.
Great looking watch. Love the beefy hands and chunky indices. I was just going to say that it’s a great alternative to the sold out (and more expensive) Timex Q…but this one is sold out as well!