Vintage Timex Viscount Automatic (Date) Ref. 46560 03272
Dress/Everyday Watch · Timex (subsidiary of Timex Group B.V.). Historically positioned as an affordable, durable 'everyman' brand.
Period: Vintage (Early 1970s). The design features classic mid-century remnants like the sunburst dial mixed with the utilitarian 1970s blocky date window and simple baton indices.
Type
Dress/Everyday Watch
Brand
Timex (subsidiary of Timex Group B.V.). Historically positioned as an affordable, durable 'everyman' brand.
Movement
Mechanical Automatic, Timex M32 Caliber. A pin-lever, no-jewel 'workhorse' movement vibrating at 18,000 bph.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 35mm; Thickness: 11mm; Lug-to-lug: 40mm; Lug width: 18mm. Typical of vintage 'men's' sizes, which wear small by modern standards.
Description
This Timex Viscount represents the quintessential affordable automatic watch of the early 1970s. It features a simple, legible dial and a robust pin-lever movement designed to be 'disposable' rather than serviced, yet many still run today. Its patina tells a story of decades of daily wear.
Key Features
The date-coded dial (bottom edge) is a hallmark of vintage Timex, allowing precise dating. The 'Viscount' line was specifically their automatic range during this period.
Dial Description
Champagne sunburst dial with printed Arabic numerals at even hours and baton indices at odd hours. Centered black stick hands and a simple date window at 3 o'clock. Displays 'TIMEX AUTOMATIC' and 'WATER RESISTANT'.
Case Material
Base Metal Bezel (Chrome or Gold plated) with a Stainless Steel Back. Significant brassing and plating loss are visible on the lugs and bezel.
Crystal Type
Acrylic (Plexiglass/Hesalite). Domed shape with visible surface scratches and 'crazing' near the edges.
Bezel Details
Fixed, smooth rounded bezel integrated into the base metal case. Shows heavy oxidation and wear to the plating.
Crown & Pushers
Small, knurled push-pull crown at 3 o'clock. Likely unsigned and original to the case.
Bracelet or Strap
Vintage expansion/stretch-style metal band. These were popular mid-century aftermarket choices but are known as 'hair-pullers'.
Caseback Details
Closed, stainless steel screw-down or snap-on caseback. Usually contains the 'Water Resistant' and 'Base Metal Bezel' stamps.
Movement Type
Mechanical Automatic, Timex M32 Caliber. A pin-lever, no-jewel 'workhorse' movement vibrating at 18,000 bph.
Water Resistance
Originally 25-30m (Splash Resistant). Currently considered 0m; should be kept strictly dry due to age-related seal degradation.
Origin & Provenance
USA/Philippines/UK. While many parts were US-designed, assembly for this era often happened in various global Timex facilities using robust, low-cost tooling.
Age Estimate
1972. The small code '03272' at the bottom of the dial indicates the year (72) and the caliber (032).
Cultural Significance
Represented the democratization of mechanical watches, providing automatic movements to the working class before the Quartz Crisis fully took hold in the late 70s.
Condition Notes
Fair to Poor. Significant plating loss (brassing) on the case, heavy scratches on the acrylic crystal, and a dirty expansion bracelet. The dial remains relatively clean, though with some minor spotting.
Value Estimate
$20 - $60 USD. Values are low due to the base-metal case wear and the non-jeweled nature of the movement.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid all water contact as vintage gaskets have likely failed. Acrylic crystal can be polished with Polywatch. Movement service is difficult as these were not designed to be easily disassembled.
Similar Watches
Vintage Seiko 5, Elgin Automatic, or Bulova Sea King. Unlike those, Timex used pin-lever movements rather than jeweled escapements to keep costs low.
Interesting Facts
Timex movements of this era were famously advertised by John Cameron Swayze as watches that 'take a licking and keep on ticking' through torture tests like being strapped to outboard motors.