The Timex Fairfield — America’s Ultimate Everyday Watch?
Recognised as the ultimate watch brand for American folks, Timex is one of the oldest watchmakers around that specialises in hardy and affordable watches. With a history of more than 165 years, Timex has assembled an extensive catalogue of classy yet durable timepieces that embodies the brand’s motto of “takes a licking and keeps on ticking”.
The Timex Fairfield, in particular, is a collection of tough, highly versatile timepieces suited for all sorts of occasions. Boasting attractive, extremely budget-friendly price points, the Timex Fairfield is a worthy bargain that is accessible to almost anyone. Let us take a look at the Timex Fairfield range, the features it has to offer, and some of the best models from this collection.
First Impressions
Right off the bat, you will notice that the Timex Fairfield shows off a beautiful, minimalistic aesthetic that is simple and highly legible. Its stylish exterior will instantly make you think it is meant to be a dress watch. And while it can be used as your companion to formal events, you might be surprised to find that the Timex Fairfield actually has a practical, relatively well-built structure that makes it great for everyday use or even the occasional outdoor adventure too.
On the whole, the Timex Fairfield is an affordable watch made for the masses, that is both hardy and versatile enough to match multiple wardrobe styles and accompany its wearer on all sorts of different occasions.
Specifications
Case and Crown
One of the most eye-catching things about the Timex Fairfield is its perfectly round, lightweight case with a polished finish. Timex made sure to use top-notch materials such as stainless steel and low-lead brass to craft the case. If you are not familiar with low-lead brass, it is a type of alloy that contains zinc, copper, and lead. This alloy is best known for its high corrosion resistance and excellent machinability, making it a great and hardy material to use for a watch’s case.
The Timex Fairfield is offered in a 37mm size for women and a 41mm size for men or those with slightly larger wrists. This range covers just about any wrist type possible, so no matter who you are, you can definitely find a Timex Fairfield piece that fits well on your wrist.
The Timex Fairfield’s case also comes with thin, unobtrusive lugs and a crown placed at the standard 3 o’clock position. This crown is well-sized, with ridged edges to provide wearers with a better grip so they can turn the crown more easily to adjust the time.
Dial
When designing the dial of the Timex Fairfield, the brand aimed for simple legibility and a clean, minimalistic aesthetic. This dial does away with the most overly complex complications, keeping things focused on the essentials of timekeeping with quintessential stick hands, hour indices, and a minute track in the form of small, understated dots. There are some variants of the Timex Fairfield that come with a small seconds sub-dial or other chronograph sub-dials, but that is as complicated as the Fairfield gets.
In order to make things more convenient for wearers, the Timex Fairfield also comes with a flat mineral crystal and an Indiglo light-up feature. These elements serve to protect the dial from any possible scratches and impacts and provide illumination in poor lighting conditions, so you can still use the Timex Fairfield to tell the time no matter where you are.
Quartz Movement
Like the non-chronograph Timex Weekenders, Timex uses a quartz movement to power the Fairfield watches. You do not have to worry about winding this watch, since the battery does all the work for you, ensuring that the Timex Fairfield needs less servicing than a mechanical timepiece would. This movement also gives the Timex Fairfield a fairly average accuracy rating of +/- 20 seconds per month — not the best in the market, but extremely reasonable considering the price tag of the Fairfield.
Strap & Clasp
Timex offers the Fairfield with two different straps — a leather band and a stainless steel mesh bracelet. The leather strap is available in a variety of colours including brown, blue, and grey. Some users have complained that the leather strap of the Timex Fairfield looks a little bit worn, but this serves to give the watch more of a vintage vibe and offers your wrist excellent comfort.
If you are not a fan of the leather strap, you can also opt for the mesh bracelet, which you can have in either black or silver. The stainless steel mesh bracelet is sturdy and gives the Timex Fairfield a more professional feel, which would be perfect for the office or for a business meeting. Both the leather strap and mesh bracelet also come with strong steel buckles that ensure the Timex Fairfield stays securely wrapped around your wrist.
Price and Availability
As previously mentioned, Timex is known for producing extremely budget-friendly pieces, and the Timex Fairfield is no exception. Well-known for its affordability, the price of the Timex Fairfield ranges between just $39 USD and $129 USD, which makes for an excellent bargain indeed.
5 Best Variants of Timex Fairfield Watches
Now that we have gone over the general features and specifications of the Timex Fairfield collection, let us take a closer look at some of the best models it has to offer. Although these watches differ in price and style, all of them are sleek watches with minimalistic aesthetics fit for all sorts of events.
1. Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2P98500
Sought-after for its striking dial and clean-cut features, the Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2P98500 definitely deserves to be on your radar. It embodies the Fairfield collection’s minimalistic style with its 41mm brass case and exquisite beige dial, which is adorned with gold-tone hands and hour markers. This classy, understated look is enhanced by the watch’s subtle grey leather strap and gold-tone buckle. In addition, this watch has a scratch-resistant mineral crystal and a screwed-in stainless steel caseback that keeps the quartz movement inside safe from any external elements like water or dust.
This Timex Fairfield watch retails at approximately $52 USD.
2. Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2R98000VQ
Next up, we have the Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2R98000VQ. With its suave dark grey-and-blue colourway, this is a more modern-looking Fairfield, best suited for younger audiences. This watch comes in a 41mm grey-plated brass case, a grandiose grey dial with matching grey-tone hands and blue indices, and a grey stainless steel mesh bracelet. The dial also features a three-hand analog display, a small date aperture next to the 4 o’clock marker, and three chronograph sub-dials, all of which come in blue too, adding a splash of striking personality to this dark-toned Timex Fairfield piece.
With a fairly average depth rating of 30 metres, this Timex Fairfield model has a price tag of just $49 USD.
3. Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2T32300
For a more traditional Timex Fairfield piece, take a look at the Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2T32300. This model features a gold-tone 41mm brass case furnished with a layer of mineral glass to protect the clean, exquisite white dial inside. This is paired with a classic 20mm brown leather strap that can fit up to an 8-inch wrist. The dial blends perfectly with its gold-tone hands and hour indices, and it also bears three chronograph sub-dials, a date window at 4 o’clock, and an Indiglo light-up feature. You can control the chronograph functions using the watch’s two pushers, which can be found on the right side of the case, on either side of the crown.
Like the previous Timex Fairfield models mentioned, this variant is powered by a quartz movement with a 30-metre water resistance capacity. You can purchase this watch for around $85 USD.
4. Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2R97700VQ
The Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2R97700VQ is another must-have piece that caters to younger generations. This watch has a quirkier, more fun vibe that is especially enhanced by its silver-and-blue patterned dial and perforated blue leather strap.
This watch comes in a 41mm sturdy brass case in silver with slim lugs, perfectly complementing the silver dial, which bears an unusual pattern that almost resembles fabric. Protected by a layer of mineral crystal, this dial features silver stick hands, a date display at 4 o’clock, three chronograph sub-dials in blue, and matching blue hour indices. In addition, it is equipped with the brand’s signature Indiglo night light feature, which keeps the dial illuminated in the dark.
Powered by a quartz movement with an accuracy rating of +/- 20 seconds per month, this stylish and youthful Timex Fairfield piece comes at a slightly more exorbitant price of $105 USD.
5. Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2R70200
Last but not least, we have the quintessential Timex Fairfield Ref. TW2R70200, which is perfect for those who prefer timepieces that come in softer hues. This watch comes in a slender 37mm gold-tone low-lead brass case, paired with a charming cream dial with gold-tone hands and indices and a light brown leather strap. This watch does away with any chronograph or date complications, enhancing its minimalist aesthetic by focusing only on the essential time-telling elements.
Equipped with the same quartz movement as the other Timex Fairfield watches, this is the most inexpensive model and is available at just $38 USD.
Alternatives to the Timex Fairfield Watches
The Timex Fairfield is one of the most accessible and versatile watches in the market. However, despite everything it offers, we realise that this watch might not be to everyone’s tastes. Perhaps you are looking for a more luxurious option, or you are just not a fan of Timex Fairfield’s dial design, which focuses on simple lines and dots. For those who are not entirely satisfied with the Timex Fairfield, we have curated a list of its 3 best alternatives that you should definitely consider checking out.
1. Seiko 5 Sports Ref. SRPE65K1
Seiko is a Japanese brand that, like Timex, is renowned for making reliable watches at rather accessible prices. Amongst the watches in Seiko’s lineup, the Seiko 5 Sports SRPE65K1 is our recommendation for the best Timex Fairfield alternative. This fun and vibrant timepiece comes in a stunning silver-and-green colourway that is sure to stand out from the crowd.
This Seiko 5 Sports watch features a 40mm stainless steel case paired with a striking green dial and a matching green nylon strap. Like the Timex Fairfield, this watch uses a layer of mineral crystal to protect its dial. The dial features luminous arrow and syringe-shaped hands, bold hour markers in the form of geometric shapes, and a standard day-date aperture at the 3 o’clock position. Powered by a top-notch calibre 4R36 movement, this watch has a substantial depth rating of 100 metres.
You can purchase the Seiko 5 Sports SRPE65K1 for $289 USD.
2. Citizen Quartz Ref. BM7450-81L
If you enjoy sturdy, professional-looking watches, then the Citizen Quartz BM7450-81L is an excellent option. This watch comes in a durable 44mm stainless steel case and matching stainless steel bracelet. With its slightly larger size, this Citizen piece is a great alternative for those who find the Timex Fairfield too small to fit their wrists. It is also equipped with a scratch-resistant mineral crystal.
Unlike the Timex Fairfield, the Citizen Quartz BM7450-81L comes with a rotating bezel in blue that bears a handy elapsed time scale, and its sizable crown is surrounded by crown guards that keep it safe. Its dial also comes in a shade of deep blue, and bears thick luminous silver hour indices and hands, along with a vibrant minute hand in red. Powered by a reliable quartz movement, this watch has a water resistance capacity of 100 metres.
This robust Citizen watch retails at approximately $119 USD.
3. Emporio Armani Velente Rerf. AR0644
The last recommended alternative to the Timex Fairfield is the Emporio Armani AR0644. This watch is available in a slender 35mm stainless steel case and is best suited for small-to-average-sized wrists. This is paired with a suave grey dial and black alligator leather strap that add to the watch’s elegance. Protected by a layer of mineral glass, the dial features elongated Roman numeral markers, sleek dauphine hands, and the Emporio Armani logo in place of the 12 o’clock marker.
Like the Timex Fairfield, this Emporio Armani piece is equipped with a quartz movement that has an accuracy rating of +/- 20 seconds per month. You can get your hands on this watch for around $109 USD.
Final Thoughts
On the whole, the Timex Fairfield is one of the brand’s most sought-after collections, featuring durable and minimalistic watches that are versatile enough to accompany their wearers to all sorts of occasions. This may not the most luxurious, reliable watch in the market, but it achieves its goal of being a great everyday piece with prices that are extremely accessible to everyone. If you are looking for a sturdy watch with a classy design, but are working with a limited budget, then the Timex Fairfield is definitely worth your consideration.
Featured image courtesy of u/dman4514 from Reddit.
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