Timex Automatic Cushion Case Vintage
Casual Dress Watch / Vintage Tool-Style Dress Watch · Timex (Timex Group USA, formerly Waterbury Clock Company), mass-market tier
Period: Vintage (1970s)
Type
Casual Dress Watch / Vintage Tool-Style Dress Watch
Brand
Timex (Timex Group USA, formerly Waterbury Clock Company), mass-market tier
Movement
Mechanical automatic, Timex in-house pin-lever movement, low jewel count, approximately 21,600 vph
Dimensions
Case diameter approximately 37mm, thickness 11mm, lug-to-lug 42mm, lug width 18mm
Description
A charming and rugged vintage Timex Automatic from the 1970s featuring a distinctive TV-style cushion case. The champagne sunburst dial with bold oversized numerals at the cardinal points gives it a distinct retro-futuristic aesthetic. Paired with a warm brown leather strap, it represents the robust, accessible mechanical watchmaking ethos of Timex prior to the full quartz takeover.
Key Features
Cushion-shaped case, vertical brushed finishing, bold retro typography, sunburst champagne dial with a framed date complication at 3 o'clock
Dial Description
Champagne sunburst dial with black painted baton indices and bold Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock, black baton hands, framed date window at 3 o'clock, printed 'TIMEX AUTOMATIC' and 'WATER RESISTANT'
Case Material
Base metal chrome-plated or stainless steel with a brushed vertical satin finish on the top surface and polished sides
Crystal Type
Domed acrylic (plexiglass) crystal with minor surface wear
Bezel Details
Integrated round bezel within a distinct TV/cushion-shaped case outline
Crown & Pushers
Standard push-pull crown located at the 3 o'clock position
Bracelet or Strap
Brown leather two-piece strap with exposed stitching
Caseback Details
Snap-on stainless steel case back with stamped factory markings typical of the era
Movement Type
Mechanical automatic, Timex in-house pin-lever movement, low jewel count, approximately 21,600 vph
Water Resistance
Originally rated for light water resistance, but historical gaskets mean this timepiece should now be treated as strictly non-water-resistant
Origin & Provenance
United States design with international manufacturing (assembled in USA, UK, or Taiwan depending on specific production batch)
Age Estimate
Circa 1970s, during the mechanical-to-quartz transition era
Cultural Significance
Represents the ubiquitous everyday watch of the working class during the mid-20th century, democratizing mechanical timekeeping globally
Condition Notes
Fair to Good vintage condition. Noticeable scuffs and patina on the plated case, minor scratches on the acrylic crystal, and consistent aging on the dial, reflecting authentic wear over decades of use
Value Estimate
50 to 150 USD depending on exact running condition, service history, and aesthetic preservation
Care & Maintenance
Avoid all contact with water due to degraded vintage gaskets, service periodically by a vintage watchmaker familiar with pin-lever calibers, store in a dry environment
Similar Watches
Vintage Seiko 5 cushion case models, vintage Bulova Surf King, vintage Nivada Grenchen
Interesting Facts
Timex famously advertised the durability of their mechanical watches with the slogan 'Takes a licking and keeps on ticking,' famously putting them through extreme torture tests on television commercials