This article reviews the Reissue 1983 Automatic, released by Timex in December 2024, described as "a watch that resonates with those in the know." The author, a fan of vintage watches, is also enthralled by the design and details that have captured the hearts of older watch enthusiasts. The watch was actually worn by a male employee, who wrote the article after asking about its feel.
Photographs & Text by Chieko Tsuruoka
[Article published on January 31, 2025]
A review of Timex's new 2024 model, the Reissue 1983 Automatic!
Timex released the "Reissue 1983 Automatic" in December 2024. As the word "reissue" implies, this collection is based on the concept of Timex reviving its classic watches, and this model has its roots in a model made in 1983. The original was introduced in the Timex catalog as a model suitable for dressy occasions.
Automatic winding. Stainless steel case (34mm diameter, 12mm thick). Water resistant to 50m. 42,900 yen (tax included). Currently listed as back in stock on their website.
Its greatest feature is the "TV dial," which is based on the motif of televisions from the days when cathode ray tubes were still used. As it is "suitable for dressy occasions," the slender indexes and hands and silver dial are elegant, while the square shape also gives it a unique look.
The movement is said to be MIYOTA. The watch is currently sold out on the website, and is listed as "waiting for restock," with the next arrival scheduled for June or July 2025.
With the help of other employees, we will be reviewing this reissue 1983 Automatic in person.
A design that attracts watch geeks
Since the 1970s, the watch industry has seen the creation of a wide variety of designs, as each brand has attempted to differentiate themselves from the competition through design. In the 1980s, quartz movements became widespread, and the originality and freedom of design became even more pronounced. Watches made during this period are now being reevaluated. While it's often said that "fashion repeats itself," watches with a retro feel and style not found in modern times are certainly interesting, and many brands are "reproducing" them, just like Timex.
As mentioned above, there's a huge variety of watch designs from the 1970s and 80s, including reissue models. Even so, it's rare to see something as thoroughly "old man watch" as this one, and I can't help but applaud Timex for their hard work. That's because there are quite a few watch-loving older men (including myself, though I'm more of an older woman than an older man) who are looking for this kind of watch. It's like, "This is all I need." While some watch enthusiasts do purchase originals, finding one in good condition when it's nearly half a century old can be incredibly difficult. So, being able to purchase a current model like this old man watch is truly a joy. This watch isn't flashy at all, but rather understated, and, as Timex intended, it's a watch that resonates with those in the know.
Why does this film seem so thoroughly about older men? I'd like to dig deeper into the details.
As mentioned repeatedly, the most distinctive feature of this watch is the dial, which is modeled after a CRT television. The acrylic glass crystal that protects this dial is box-shaped, and when viewed from the side, the sheer appearance of the crystal gives it a retro feel.
The silver dial with vertical hairlines is also very sophisticated, so sophisticated! There are probably some watch enthusiasts who are non-date fundamentalists who say, "We don't need a small window for the calendar display," but personally, I think that having a date display emphasizes the older man feel even more.
The slender hands and indexes are understated, and in this respect it can be said to be a perfect example of an "unflashy watch for older men."
The bracelet is a nostalgic accordion-style design, a design often seen in men's accessories (I don't know much about accessories, and it may still be popular, but my grandfather wore one, so I think of it as an accessory worn by older men), and it stretches somewhat like rubber. The bracelet can be put on and taken off with a gentle tug, so it seems like it would be easy to put on and leave the house on a rushed morning, and because it's stretchy, you don't have to worry about the watch being too tight in the summer when your body is prone to swelling. I was a little concerned about its durability when it would be pulled continuously.
This watch is a perfect example of a man's watch down to the last detail. It's unassuming, without any thought of adding a stylish accent. It's this unassuming style that elevates it to an extraordinary existence, and it shows Timex's skill as a master of reproduction watches, not only in the reissue collection but also in hit models inspired by past archives such as the "Merlin" and "MK1 Mechanical."
What was it like actually wearing an old man's watch?
Since I had an injury to my wrist this time, I asked my colleague Yosuke Ohashi to review the watch and tell me how it felt to wear.
34mm case size
When asked what he thought of the size of this watch, Ohashi, who normally prefers small-diameter cases, said, "I have thin wrists, so I prefer relatively small-sized watches, but even so, this watch felt small to me. Maybe that's why the TV dial looks so small." It's true that the modern standard is around 40mm in diameter, so 34mm is quite small. This small size is what I keep saying, "Well done!"
The accordion bracelet is also a highlight!
He also commented that the accordion bracelet was one of the film's highlights and left a strong impression on him.
"I think this watch is one of the few examples of a 21st century revival of the accordion bracelet (in wristwatches). You hardly ever see this type of bracelet these days. The only current example is probably Hamilton's Ventura. Incidentally, there was a model of the original Casiotron that featured a bracelet of the same type, but the bracelet was not reproduced when the reissue was produced. It is quite challenging to shed light on an obscure model that has been "overlooked" by the reissues." Hmm, I see.
"The fact that some parts are given a hairline finish and the rest are polished, and that the corners of the bracelet are 'raised', adds to the sense of luxury, which is good," he said. "Old accordion-style bracelets have a 'just pressed' feel to them, which inevitably gives them a cheap feel. The polished finish adds a sense of luxury, which is very significant."
"The accordion bracelet doesn't have a buckle, so it doesn't get in the way when I'm working at my desk, which was a nice feature."
What also makes me want to say thank you to Timex for faithfully recreating the classic men's watch using modern technology is the fact that the size can be adjusted without tools. Just press the back of the removable links (the part that touches your wrist) and they will come off easily with a click.
"With the old accordion-style bracelets, it was difficult to remove the links to adjust the size. You had to pull the bracelet, poke it with a tool, and so on, before you could finally remove it. Basically, you had to go to a specialist store. So, a mechanism that allows you to remove the links without using tools is very convenient for users. However, the bracelet does not stretch at the part where the links can be removed. It's a shame, as the selling point of this bracelet is its high degree of freedom, not only up and down but also left and right."
As I mentioned earlier, there also seemed to be some concerns about the durability of Ohashi Bridge.
"I've heard that accordion bracelets are sometimes avoided due to durability concerns. So I'm a little worried about the durability of this bracelet."
It's also easy to use!
I wondered whether the thin indexes and hands, being metallic, would be lost in the silver dial, but since they were well polished, I didn't notice any difference in visibility depending on the light source.
In terms of the user experience, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about the MIYOTA movement, but I would like to point out that the crown was easy to operate. Dressy models like this one often have small crowns designed for design reasons. I have long fingernails, so these small crowns are difficult to pull out, and I had the same concerns about this watch, but it was easy to pull out, wind the mainspring, and set the time. The decorative notches on the crown don't cause any pain in the pads of my fingers. I felt that this was a watch that was easy to use on a daily basis.
This is a film that shows clever strategy, so it's a must-buy!
We've reviewed the Timex Reissue 1983 Automatic, which incorporates all the elements a watch nerd loves. Its understated design, combined with its compact 34mm case, reflects the brand's commitment to pursuing the ultimate in "reproduction watches." For younger generations who weren't even born in the 1980s, this watch offers a fresh impression unlike current models, and its affordable price of 42,900 yen (tax included) makes it a good choice when purchasing a watch.
While I was writing this article, I was told an interesting story by Mr. N, a marketing representative at Ueni Trading Co., Ltd., which handles Timex in Japan, about the brand's development of reproduction watches. He told me that the original attempt to reproduce Timex archives originated in Japan, and the resulting popularity in the Japanese market led to the current wide variety of reproduction watches. I mentioned Timex's prowess in reproduction watches in the article, but the fact that they originated in Japan is a testament to the maturity of Japan's watch market. I heard this story at a press exhibition for this year's new Timex models. Details will be released at a later date, as information has not yet been released, but suffice to say, there were plenty of new models to choose from, whether you're a fan of vintage watches or not.
