Timex M79 Automatic: The Affordable Mechanical Diver

The Timex M79 Automatic , launched in February 2020, took the look of the Q Timex and paired it with a mechanical movement. The name says it: "M" for mechanical, "79" for 1979, the year of the original Q.

Design

The M79 uses a 40mm steel case with integrated lugs flowing into a tapering bracelet. A unidirectional rotating bezel with an aluminium insert in blue and black earned it the "Batman" nickname. The domed acrylic crystal, a "T" in the hour hand and a red seconds hand complete the 1970s look.

Movement and Specifications

Inside is a Japanese Miyota day-date automatic running at 21,600 vph with around 40 hours of power reserve. Water resistance is 50 metres, so despite the diver styling the M79 is best thought of as a sports watch rather than a dedicated dive tool. At launch it was priced at US$279 (ref. TW2U29500).

Where It Fits

The M79 sits between the quartz Q Timex and the dressier Waterbury automatics, and it was one of the first sub-US$300 automatic divers from a major brand to win wide enthusiast approval.

The Movement in Practice

The Miyota day-date automatic used in the M79 is one of the most widely used affordable automatic calibres in the world. Like the Miyota 8215 in the Marlin Automatic, it beats at 21,600 vph and can be wound by hand, but it does not hack, so the seconds hand keeps running while the time is set. Accuracy is typically quoted within a range of roughly −20 to +40 seconds per day, which is normal for the class; servicing is simple and inexpensive.

Who the M79 Is For

The M79 suits someone who loves the 1970s look of the Q Timex but wants the sweep of a mechanical seconds hand and the satisfaction of an automatic. The integrated bracelet and tapering lugs give it a more unified, retro silhouette than most affordable divers, and the domed acrylic crystal reinforces the vintage character. It is not a tool for serious diving: 50 metres of water resistance makes it a swimming-safe sports watch at most.

How It Compares

The M79's obvious rivals are the Seiko 5 Sports, the long-standing benchmark for affordable automatic sports watches, and the Orient Kamasu, which offers a sapphire crystal and 200 metres of water resistance. Both are more capable on paper. The M79's case for itself is design: its integrated bracelet and Q-derived styling give it a personality those more conventional divers lack. Collectors of affordable divers will also want to read about the Seiko SKX, the classic of the category.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does M79 stand for?
'M' for mechanical and '79' for 1979, the year Timex launched the original Q Timex.

What movement is in the Timex M79?
A Japanese Miyota day-date automatic running at 21,600 vph with around 40 hours of power reserve.

Is the Timex M79 a real dive watch?
It has a unidirectional dive bezel but only 50m water resistance, so it is a dive-styled sports watch.

How much was the Timex M79 Automatic?
US$279 at launch in February 2020.

Related Reading

• Timex: Brand History
• Q Timex
• Timex Waterbury