Timex M79: Timex’s Affordable Diver Watch
Following the great success of the Q Timex ’79 Reissue, Timex decided to go ahead and respond to the positive audience reception by recreating another 1970s Q Timex-inspired model. This resulted in the release of the Timex M79, which is a durable and reliable sports watch with a stylish design reminiscent of the famous Rolex Batman.
Even from its name alone, the inspiration of the Timex M79 is clear. Timex named it M79, firstly, for its mechanical calibre, a feature that distinguishes it from the quartz-powered Q Timex and Q Timex Reissue watches. The number ’79’ in its name is also derived from the year 1979, which was when the original Q-Timex was released.
With its boldly different style and reliable mechanical movement, there is a lot to love about the Timex M79 indeed. Without further ado, let us have a closer look at the Timex M79, its specifications, how it distinguishes itself from the Q Timex, and everything else it has to offer.
First Impressions
The Timex M79 possesses a simple yet classic appearance. Inspired by the 1970s Q Timex, this timepiece shows off a lovely retro build. At the same time, the Timex M79 manages to incorporate a touch of modern inspiration with its dial and bezel, which stand out by bearing a different style and design compared to the Q Timex watches.
In addition, those familiar with the watch industry will instantly find the Timex M79’s fashionable two-tone bezel reminiscent of Rolex’s popular Rolex Batman GMT watch. Between its stylish looks and highly-functional capabilities, the Timex M79 is an excellent sports timepiece that both looks and offers more than it actually costs.
Anatomy of the Timex M79
Case, Bezel, and Caseback
Right off the bat, you can tell the Timex M79 is an incredibly well-built watch with its classic construction and glossy, polished finish. The case of this watch is made of highly durable stainless steel, boasting a 40mm diameter and a 14.5mm thickness. These are fairly standard case dimensions, which ensures that the Timex M79 will fit nicely on wrists of virtually any size. This is coupled with thick hooded lugs that show off angular, bevelled edges, which gives the Timex M79 a sturdier, more robust look that fills out well on your wrist.
Fitted on top of the watch case is a stainless steel bezel with a two-tone scratch-resistant aluminium insert. Much like the Rolex Batman, this stylish bezel showcases metallic black and blue hues, a colour scheme that is frequently associated with DC’s favourite Caped Crusader. As a count-up bezel, it bears silver indicators in a neat, organised typeface that stands out legibly against the darker hues of the insert. This bezel also has buzzsaw-like edges. This provides wearers with a better grip, so they can grasp and turn the bezel with greater ease.
Protecting the watch’s face is a layer of acrylic crystal. While this watch glass is not quite as strong or scratch-resistant as sapphire crystal, it is still sufficiently durable and able to protect the dial from external damage and impacts. In addition, acrylic crystal is also minimally reflective, which ensures that viewers have a clear view of the dial that is not distorted by any light glares. The underside of the Timex M79 is also sealed shut with a layer of acrylic crystal. This exhibition-style caseback allows you to view the watch’s inner mechanisms at work.
On the right side of the case, you can find a tiny unguarded crown made of stainless steel. While this crown is smaller than the average watch crown, it comes with gear-shaped edges. This enables your fingers to get a better feel against the crown, so they can grip it more easily. This crown, like the watch’s caseback, is also firmly screwed down, keeping the watch’s insides safe from any external elements like moisture and dust. Thanks to the case and crown, the Timex M79 has a water resistance capacity of 50 metres, so it can easily survive any splashes or showers.
Dial
Complementing the Timex M79’s cool blue-black bezel is a striking, jet-black dial. This dial follows a simple, luminous layout which delivers a lot of contrast, allowing for optimal legibility. Its design is very reminiscent of dive watches such as the Rolex Submariner, comprising large, luminous hour markers in various geometric shapes, including an inverted triangle at 12 o’clock, and silver-tone Mercedes hands.
The Timex M79 also has a day-date display located at 3 o’clock. This complication has white text and is outlined in silver, allowing it to stand out more clearly against the black backdrop. Finally, a single, sweeping seconds hand in vibrant red helps add more diversity to this monochrome watch face.
Movement
Although the Timex M79 is based on the quartz-powered Q Timex, it further distinguishes itself by being a mechanical timepiece. It is driven by a robust Japanese Miyota automatic calibre. Held together by 21 jewels, this self-winding movement beats at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. It has a solid power reserve of up to 40 hours and a fairly reliable accuracy rate of +40/-20 seconds per day.
Bracelet
Completing the Timex M79’s robust, fashionable aesthetic is a stainless steel bracelet. On top of being quite comfortable, this professional-looking bracelet also bolsters the contemporary style of the Timex M79. It is highly scratch-resistant and completely waterproof, so you do not have to worry about getting this bracelet wet, either. Finally, it is equipped with a small stainless steel clasp, which helps keep the strap securely fastened to your wrist.
Price
Timex watches have always been known for their reliable affordability, and the Timex M79 is no different. As a mechanical timepiece, it is just slightly more expensive than both the Q Timex and Q Timex Reissue, both of which were sold at under $200 USD. The Timex M79 itself is available at $279 USD, which is still a very budget-friendly price.
Alternatives to the Timex M79
Below we have a list of the best watch alternatives to the Timex M79 that are worth checking out:
1. Citizen Promaster Marine Eco-Drive Ref. CC5006-06L
First on the list, we have the Citizen Promaster Marine Eco-Drive Ref. CC5006-06L. This timepiece shows off a 47mm titanium case, coupled with a sporty blue polyurethane strap. This is a larger watch, perfect for those with bigger wrists. In spite of its bulky size, this watch is actually quite easy to tote around, thanks to its lightweight titanium build. The case is also coated in a layer of Duratect DLC coating. This gives the case its sharp black hue while also bolstering its resistance to scratches and impacts. Fitted on top of its case is a sleek two-tone count-up bezel in contrasting black and white tones.
This Citizen Promaster watch shows off a busy blue dial that is packed full of practical functions. These include large hour markers around the rim of the dial, thick skeletal hands, and a trapezoidal date aperture outlined in silver at 3 o’clock. On the rim of the dial, there are indicators for different cities, allowing you to keep track of 40 different timezones. A sub-dial functioning as the day display can also be found between the 7 and 8 o’clock markers. Finally, this watch also comes with a handy GPS positioning function and a shock detection function.
Driving this Citizen watch is the top-notch Calibre F158. This is a quartz movement with an impressive power reserve that can last for up to a whopping 720 days, or two years. It also has a superb accuracy rating of +/-5 seconds per month, so you know you can rely on this watch for precise timekeeping.
The Citizen Promaster Marine Eco-Drive Ref. CC5006-06L is worth $1,339 USD.
2. Rolex GMT Master II Batman Ref. 126710BLNR
If you are a fan of the Timex M79’s Batman-inspired styling, but you want something a little more upscale, then the Rolex GMT Master II Ref. 126710BLNR is the perfect watch for you. Like the Timex M79, this watch showcases a stylish two-tone blue-black bezel. The Rolex Batman’s version, however, is made out of exceptionally scratch-resistant Cerachrom and bears 24-hour indicators for a GMT bezel. This watch also comes in a 40mm case and bracelet made out of Rolex’s patented, robust Oystersteel material.
Like the Timex M79, the Rolex Batman also couples its handsome blue-black bezel with a stark black dial. This dial has a layout that is remarkably similar to that of the Timex M79, too. It consists of hour markers in various geometric shapes, luminous Mercedes hands, and a date window at 3 o’clock that is magnified by a cyclops lens. It also has a single arrow-headed GMT hand, which is used to indicate the second time zone.
This Rolex GMT Master II watch runs on a first-class Rolex Calibre 3285. This in-house movement delivers an unrivalled accuracy of +/-2 seconds per day, along with an extended power supply of 70 hours. In addition, it also has a solid depth rating of 100 metres.
This prestigious Rolex watch is priced at around $31,499 USD.
3. Bell & Ross Vintage Ref. BRV293-BLU-ST/SST
The Bell & Ross Vintage Ref. BRV293-BLU-ST/SST is another classic GMT piece with numerous practical features. This watch has a more versatile, laidback vibe that makes it a wonderful choice as a companion in your daily routines. It comes in a 41mm stainless steel case, coupled with a three-link stainless steel bezel. On top of the case is a GMT bezel, fitted with a two-tone blue and light grey insert.
Unlike the other watches on this list, this Bell & Ross Vintage piece shows off a handsome blue dial that adds to the watch’s casual style. This blue dial is furnished with silver-tone diamond hands, stick indices, and rounded Arabic numeral markers in white. A small circular date aperture can be found between the 4 and 5 o’clock markers, and an arrow-headed GMT hand is used to show the second time zone. This GMT hand is also tipped in red, standing out starkly against the blue dial.
Underneath this straightforward watch face, you can find a powerful in-house Calibre BR 303. This movement delivers a 42-hour power supply and is water-resistant up to depths of 100 metres.
This Bell & Ross piece sells at approximately $2,839 USD.
Final Thoughts
On the whole, Timex did a great job crafting this contemporary reinterpretation of the original Q Timex. While the Q Timex Reissue was a more faithful reproduction of the original 1979 Q Timex, the Timex M79 manages to capture that same spirit while also incorporating different, more modern design elements. With its stylish Batman-inspired design and robust mechanical calibre, the Timex M79 is a great choice for both Q Timex fans and for watch enthusiasts in general.
Photos credited to TheWatchCompany.com unless otherwise stated.
Featured image courtesy of u/Kickin_N_Watching on Reddit.
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