The Peoples Patriot

Timex Salutes America With An Anniversary Classic

The Waterbury 250th Anniversary Chrono

There are watches that try very hard to convince you they're important. We have them. The Rolex’s Pepsi and Coke, Omega First to The Moon and of course the Daytona. Then there are watches that simply show up, do their job, look good doing it, and leave the chest-thumping to somebody else.

The new Timex Waterbury Heritage America 250 Chronograph falls squarely into the second category. Created to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, the Waterbury America 250 is refreshingly free of the usual commemorative-watch nonsense. No oversized eagle flying across the dial. No stars-and-stripes wallpaper. No "limited edition" plaque the size of a license plate. No marketing executive screaming "Freedom!" in your ear.

Instead, Timex did something remarkably uncommon in modern watchmaking. They exercised restraint.

High Design / Low Price Point

At first glance, the watch is simply handsome. A 39mm stainless steel case sits comfortably in that sweet spot between vintage charm and modern wearability. The black dial provides a clean backdrop for the silver sub dials with red tip sweeps, while the blue tachymeter bezel adds just enough color without looking like it escaped from a Fourth of July parade. There are also red and blue chronograph pushers which are subtle nods to America's colors rather than a full-blown patriotic costume.

There is a commemorative "250" logo on the dial, but its tasteful and understated. I mean, after all….it is a big year even if you have to look for it on the lower dial.

Imagine that. A commemorative watch that doesn't spend its entire existence reminding you it's commemorative.

Under the hood is a meca-quartz chronograph movement. Watch snobs will inevitably wrinkle their noses because it isn't mechanical. May I remind you that Cartier, Breitling, Tag and Omega all use meca-quartz in certain models along with highly sought after independents like Furlan Marri, Baltic and Yema. If you push your nose up at that movement, then you are probably the dude that spends $9,000 on a watch and then complain when it's ten seconds fast. Get over it.

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue

This piece delivers the satisfying snap of a chronograph while providing quartz accuracy and reliability. You strap it on, it works and looks sharp. Revolutionary concept.

The black perforated leather strap gives the watch a slight motorsport flavor, making it feel equally at home behind the wheel of a vintage Mustang or a new Porsche 911. It wears comfortably and helps the watch punch above its very modest price point of $320.00. Read that again…three-hundred and twenty-dollars!

That’s called style that’s attainable and you don't need a relationship with an authorized dealer, no reason to join a waiting list and don’t need to but a few diamond bracelets to get a step up.  You simply decide you want one and buy it.

What a refreshing business model.

The Waterbury America 250 will succeed because it remembers what Timex has always done best. Since its roots as the Waterbury Clock Company, the brand has built watches for actual people rather than aspiring oligarchs. This chronograph honors that heritage while delivering a watch that looks far more expensive than it has any right to.

Is it haute horology?

Of course not.

That's precisely why it's so appealing. The Waterbury America 250 is a reminder that collecting can still be fun. Having that 15 sec ah ha moment in the morning as you stand over your collection will put a $320.00 smile on your face every time you slide your hand over the Sub’s, Chronos and Minute Repeaters on your way to grab this one

It's handsome, affordable, practical, and unapologetically American.

Buy one…just for shits and giggles.