A hands-on review of the Timex 80 Glow-in-the-Dark. This is a reissue of the digital watch that debuted in 2011 and quickly sold out. The case and strap are made of luminous resin, giving it a unique glow-in-the-dark mechanism.
Photographs & Text by Tsubasa Nojima
[Article published on January 13, 2025]
A masterpiece coveted by enthusiasts is being reissued
This time, I'll be reviewing the new Timex "Timex 80 Glow in the Dark." This is a reproduction of a Timex digital watch released in 2011. At first glance, it looks like a standard digital watch with a refreshing all-white color scheme and a square resin case. However, once you bring it into the dark, its impression changes completely. The case and strap are made of luminous material, so the entire watch emits a soft glow.
This refreshing digital watch features a white case and translucent strap. Its exterior is made of luminous material, but it also looks great in bright light. It features a quartz movement, a resin case (34mm diameter, 9mm thick), and is water resistant to 30m. It's priced at 13,750 yen (tax included).
When it was originally released in 2011, only a small number of units were available in Japan, and they quickly sold out. Perhaps due to persistent requests from fans, it was reissued in 2025 in limited quantities only in Japan. The luminous resin exterior is an eye-catching feature, not only for those who remember the original, but also for those who don't. We review the glow-in-the-dark, which has been passed down as a mythical existence.
The luminous resin case glows mysteriously
The base of this work is Timex's signature digital watch, the Timex 80. Its distinctive design, incorporating the design of digital watches popular in the 1980s, is carried over to Glow in the Dark.
The middle case, which is integrated with the bezel, is made of luminous resin. It is not pure white, but rather a slightly yellowish ivory or milky white color. The square case is small, measuring just 34mm wide. There are two metal push buttons on each side, at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. The bezel is an irregular octagon that matches the shape of the case and protects the acrylic crystal.
The case back is made of stainless steel. The brand logo is engraved in the center, and around it are letters indicating the watch's water resistance and the type of battery used. The case back itself is secured to the middle case with four screws, ensuring water resistance to 30m. The screw grooves are Y-shaped, rather than Phillips or Slotted. Perhaps this special shape is intended to prevent users without the necessary knowledge or skills from opening it. Careless attempts to open it could strip the screws or damage the gasket or movement. Even if it's a hassle, it's best to have a professional replace the battery.
Since the case is made of luminous resin, I exposed it to plenty of light and then took it into the dark. The glow was soft and gentle on the eyes, and I could stare at it for a long time. The practical benefit is that you can immediately tell where you put the watch in a dark room. However, the sense of excitement that arises from simply seeing the exterior glowing is even more valuable.
Highly breathable resin strap
The strap is also made of luminous resin. Because it is thinner than the case, it is translucent and you can see through to the back. This watch has a light appearance, which is probably due to the translucent strap. The lug width is 18mm. Because it is fixed to the case with spring bars, it is possible to replace it with a third-party strap, but it is unlikely that you will find a strap that is more compatible than the original. In fact, you may find that using this watch's strap on another model will broaden the range of enjoyment.
The strap has an accordion-like undulation on the case side, and fine grooves on the back from the middle to the tip. This is likely intended to improve comfort by preventing the strap from sticking to the skin when worn and ensuring breathability. Even if the strap is worn a little too tightly and is pulled unexpectedly, the accordion part should be able to absorb any minor impacts. It has one keeper ring and a stainless steel pin buckle. There are nine holes for the hook, so it can be adjusted to fit a wide range of wrist sizes.
A slightly yellowish retro LCD
Let's move on to the square LCD display. The display is very simple and easy to read without any explanation. The month and date are displayed at the top of the LCD, with the day of the week displayed in small letters below that, and the hours, minutes, and seconds displayed in large letters further down. The clear layout makes for easy instant readability.
In addition to the standard time display, this watch also features alarm and chronograph functions. By pressing the push button at 8 o'clock, you can switch between alarm and chronograph modes from the time display screen. On the alarm screen, you can set the alarm time with the push button at 10 o'clock, and turn the alarm on and off with the push button at 2 o'clock. In chronograph mode, the push button at 2 o'clock controls start and stop, while the push button at 4 o'clock controls split and reset. The functions of each push button are written in the frame surrounding the LCD screen, making it easy to operate without relying on a manual.
When viewing the time or alarm screen, you can activate the Indiglo Night-Light by pressing the push button at 4 o'clock. While the button is pressed, the LCD screen lights up, improving visibility in the dark. Analog watches can maintain visibility in the dark by having the hands and indexes pick up faint light or by applying luminous paint. However, this is not possible with digital watches that have LCD displays and no physical hands. Such a backlight function is essential for a watch like this one.
The fit is good
As you can imagine from the lightweight resin case and its small 34mm width, the watch is extremely comfortable to wear. The thin, flexible resin strap also contributes to the comfort of wearing it. When worn for long periods of time, you'll forget you're wearing it on your wrist. The all-white coloring is also light in appearance, and will add a refreshing touch to your wrist in the coming season.
However, there is one thing that bothers me when using the watch: the poor visibility of the LCD. Typical digital watches have LCDs with black text on a white background. The contrast between the two ensures legibility. While this watch could also be considered black text on a white background, it's closer to yellow than white, and the LCD itself isn't particularly bright. While it's fine in bright places like outdoors, it can be a bit difficult to read the time in slightly darker rooms. I pressed the push button to activate the Indiglo night light, but the light isn't very strong, making it a bit difficult to see. The light glows brightly in the dark, but it doesn't seem to have the desired effect in less-than-ideal darkness.
A nostalgic yet fresh piece full of playfulness
This standard-design digital watch, given a striking personality with its luminous resin case, is an appealing timepiece that stands out from the so-called luxury watch. The rounded corners and visible molding lines of the case are in line with the price, but they don't exactly exude luxury, and the slightly yellowish LCD screen is impractical in terms of visibility. However, the relaxed ease and casualness that these features bring is something that can only be experienced in a watch like this one. The Timex 80 is a collection that pays homage to digital watches from the 1980s. While I haven't seen any of the watches from that era, I think a slightly rougher look makes them more "realistic."
The way the case and strap glow in the dark and the transparent strap brought back memories for me. When I was a child, skeleton and glow-in-the-dark toys were popular. Watching this film, I was suddenly reminded of the skeleton game consoles with visible internal circuit boards and monster figurines made of glow-in-the-dark resin that littered my childhood room. There's no practical point in being transparent or glowing. But there's definitely a sense of excitement that comes from having them that way.
The Timex 80 glow-in-the-dark watch reviewed here is a model that was reissued exclusively in Japan at the request of Japanese customers. This suggests that this watch resonates with Japanese sensibilities in some way. Holding one in your hands may bring back memories that you may have forgotten but cherished.
