

This American-Made Timex Watch Brings a 165-Year-Old Tradition Back Home

The American Documents series is made in the States from American components and a Swiss movement.

Allie Holloway

SHOP $495, timex.com


Timex is a part of the fabric of American culture. The brand's been around for 165 years, after all—more than enough time to create a lasting legacy. The interesting question now, in 2019, is the exact nature of that legacy. Timex was, after all, the first brand to bring timekeeping to the masses with an affordable clock. Then came the Yankee pocket watch, which cost just a dollar and became a massive hit. Wristwatches followed, and by the middle of the 20th century, Timex was practically synonymous with American watchmaking.

By the '70s, the advent of quartz technology had begun to push that tradition overseas, and Timex still produces the bulk of its watches outside of the States. But a new batch of limited-edition timepieces is bringing the story back home. The American Documents series is made in America, and the bulk of its components are sourced and made domestically, as well. Here's why that matters—and why you should seriously considering investing in one of your own.

The case back of the American Documents watch is made from U.S.-source brass.
Allie Holloway

The 'Made-in-America' angle isn't just for show.

One thing you need to know right off the bat: The American Documents watch uses a Swiss quartz movement. That's obviously a big departure from what some fans of domestic manufacturing would like to see. But remember that the Swiss have an impressive tradition of their own, and though the mere mention of quartz might ruffle the feathers of purists who love mechanical watches, there's no doubting that the Ronda movement ticking away inside an American Documents watch keeps good time.

Think, then, about all the other stuff that goes into a watch. The case. The dial. The strap. All of those pieces are made in America with materials sourced in America. The watch hands are the only shaped watch hands made in America. That's a pretty damn impressive feat.

SHOP $495, timex.com

The crown of the American Documents watch is made from U.S.-sourced brass, and the 41mm size is perfect for everyday wear.
Allie Holloway

It looks good.

If you're not concerned with the ins and outs of where the thing comes from, not to worry. On the basis of aesthetics alone, the American Documents watch is worth your attention. It's dressy—but not too dressy. Robust—but not so much so that you have to overthink where you'd wear it. In fact, this watch seems like it was made specifically for the kind of guy who needs a respectable, everyday-wear kind of piece that splits the difference between work and play. Refined, but still substantial, it looks just as at-home in the office as it does on the weekend.

The American Documents strap is made of leather from S.B. Tanning company from Red Wing, Minnesota.
Allie Holloway

It's just the beginning.

If you're so inclined, take a look through the reviews of the American Documents watch on Timex's website. Some folks love it without equivocation. Others have some thoughts. Not shockingly, one of those thoughts is that the brand should have used a mechanical movement—and an American one, if possible. That wasn't the case for this first release, but Timex is clearly laying a foundation for a new kind of American watch manufacturing, even noting that it's already looking into mechanical movements. But that's not all there is to it.

The American Documents series is made, primarily, from components created by companies that don't traditionally work with watches. The strap is by S.B. Tanning out of Red Wing, Minnesota. If that's ringing a bell, it's because, yes, that is the tanning company related to Red Wing boots. The crystal? It's made of Gorilla Glass. You know, the folks that make your smartphone screen. If a real change in where and how we make watches is going to happen, the first step is thinking differently. Timex is doing just that, which means that this watch series—and whatever's coming next—are more than worthy of your attention. And maybe a spot on your wrist, too.

Prop styling by Miako Katoh
Photography by Allie Holloway

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