Q Timex: The 1979 Quartz Reissue

The Q Timex revives the quartz watches Timex launched in 1979, when the word "Quartz" on a dial signalled cutting-edge technology. Reissued in 2019, it quickly became one of the most talked-about affordable watches of the decade and grew into a full collection.

The 1979 Original

The original Q Timex range of 1979 put "Q" and "Quartz" proudly on the dial. Its most distinctive feature was a battery hatch on the caseback that let owners replace the battery themselves with a coin — a practical, slightly disruptive idea in an era when changing a battery meant a trip to a watchmaker.

The 2019 Reissue

Timex brought the design back in 2019 with the Q Timex Reissue (ref. TW2T80700): a 38mm stainless steel case about 12mm thick, a red-and-blue "Pepsi" rotating bezel, an acrylic crystal, a day-date window at 3 o'clock, a woven steel bracelet, and the working battery hatch. Priced at under US$200, its sports-watch looks drew constant comparisons to far more expensive steel divers and it sold out repeatedly.

Falcon Eye, GMT and Beyond

In November 2019 Timex added the Q Timex Falcon Eye , a dressier version with a patterned blue dial, a gold-tone flange and no rotating bezel, at US$179. A Q Timex GMT followed, adding a 24-hour hand and bezel, and the family has continued with further dial colours, limited editions and collaborations — including Timex x Peanuts versions and the 2025 Q Timex Chronograph Snoopy 75th Anniversary, which puts a different Snoopy in each subdial (see the best Snoopy watches).

Why It Matters

The Q Timex showed that Timex's quartz heritage could be as collectible as its mechanical past, and it gave its name to the M79 Automatic — "79" is a nod to the year of the Q.

The Quartz Story Behind It

The original Q arrived at the height of the quartz revolution, when Japanese brands had made battery-powered accuracy affordable and Swiss mechanical watchmaking was in crisis (see Seiko and the Quartz Revolution). Timex embraced the technology, and the Q's "Quartz" lettering was a selling point rather than an apology. Reviving that era in 2019 reframed quartz not as the cheap option but as a period-correct part of watch history.

Which Q Timex Should You Buy?

The Pepsi-bezel Reissue is the original and the most recognisable, a sporty everyday watch with a rotating bezel. The Falcon Eye is the dressier option, trading the bezel for a patterned dial and gold-tone accents. The GMT adds a second time zone for travellers. All share the 38mm case, day-date display and battery hatch.

Ownership Notes

The battery hatch is fully functional, so battery changes can be done at home with a coin. The acrylic crystal gives an authentically 1970s look and can be polished if scratched. The Q's quartz movement means it is accurate and grab-and-go, with no winding or setting after a few days off the wrist — a real practical advantage over the mechanical M79 it inspired.

Limited dial colours and collaborations have frequently sold out on release, which has given some Q Timex variants a modest secondary-market following. For other affordable options, see the best watches under $500.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Q Timex?
A 2019 reissue of Timex's 1979 Q quartz watch, with a 38mm case, day-date display and the original's coin-operated battery hatch.

What size is the Q Timex Reissue?
38mm in diameter and about 12mm thick, with an 18mm lug width.

What is the Q Timex Falcon Eye?
A November 2019 variant with a patterned blue dial and gold-tone accents, priced at US$179.

Why does the Q Timex have a battery hatch?
It reproduces the 1979 original, which let owners change the battery themselves.

Related Reading

• Timex: Brand History
• Timex M79 Automatic
• Timex Marlin