Overview
This is a classic mid-century Timex manual-wind watch, a quintessential example of the 'everyman's watch' that revolutionized the American horological industry.
Preliminary identification
Vintage Timex Manual Wind Wristwatch, c.1960s
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Story
By the early 1960s, one out of every three watches sold in the United States was a Timex. This specific model represents the era of the famous 'torture tests,' where announcer John Cameron Swayze would strap these watches to boat propellers or jackhammers on…
Maker / Origin
Timex evolved from the Waterbury Clock Company, founded in 1854, which helped turn Connecticut's Naugatuck Valley into the 'Switzerland of America.'
Condition & Value
The crystal shows significant surface scratching and 'crazing' consistent with age, and there is visible pitting and wear to the chrome plating on the lugs. It is currently missing its strap and the mechanical functionality is unverified.
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction
· Jun 2024Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
$1,280
SOLD
Dealer archive
· Mar 2024Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
$1,450
SOLD
Marketplace sale
· Jan 2024Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
$980
SOLD
Estate platform
· Oct 2023Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
$1,150
SOLD
Auction result
· Aug 2023Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.
$1,375
SOLD