Interesting article in my news feed this morning. A quick search and I see @Larry S has already reviewed. Looks like a handsome piece with some great history!

Anyone else purchased/looking?

Bloomberg: Timex Is Making Watches in America Again, and Here’s the First One. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...ments-watches-bring-manufacturing-back-to-u-s

 

Thanks for starting a thread.

Reposting as my review was in the “what did you buy” thread...I wore it for two days last week and enjoyed every minute. It will be on my wrist frequently.

“Timex American Documents... I was curious, figuring I could send it back if I hated it. I love it. Finishing is top notch. The heft and feel is great. The Red Wing strap is great. Even the cherrywood box is great. Yea Swiss quartz, and there has been lots of sniping directed at this project on line, but IMO the sum of the US made parts and US assembly is worth the premium. It’s NOT for everyone, but it represents an interesting new direction for Timex. Plus as an RGM owner, I’m all for bringingwatchmakers back to the US.”
R

 

Its what shinola should be!

 

And could be...

 

Always loved Timex I presently own an Ironman classic from the early 90's when ''indiglo'' was a new hip new thing, I must say I'm really loving the new model

 

No doubt final assembly will be done in the US, however, the majority of the high-value added components will still be sourced overseas. Unclear exactly what percentage of the overall watch value (> 50% ???) needs to be domestic to permit labeling as MADE IN USA, but the addition of US jobs is always welcome. Apple and Dell are moving final PC assembly back to the US since this activity is only about 5% of the overall value of the computer with all of the high value parts (chipsets, motherboards, etc) are produced in the Far East on highly automated production lines.

 

The only non us component is the movement. Everything else is subcontracted in the us. It’s very clearly articulated in the website and articles. Your comment is very true for Shinola ...

 

You can argue the (quartz) movement is 1 component, in which case the foreign content is in the minority compared to the other individual parts (case, crown, crystal, watch hands and of course assembly labor) so Timex can legitimately say "MADE IN AMERICA" on the watch. Again, it comes down to the value of the individual parts; this is the same game played out in Japanese auto plants in the US where the chassis, doors, etc. are from domestic suppliers but the high value items (transmission and engine) come from overseas. BTW - if the Rhonda movement is manufactured in Thailand, it is still "Swiss"?

I suppose Timex included the words "SWISS MOV'T" to avoid the same controversy that Shinola is in with their MADE IN THE USA marketing campaign.

 

Well... made in America is not a guarentee of quality...

 

Neither is MADE IN JAPAN (I have a Seiko "Turtle" with a 12 o'clock marker that does not perfectly line up with the chapter ring). Other than assembly, design of the Timex doesn't appear to involve too much labor (printed dial, simple polished sword hands, etc) and the Rhonda movement won't require much (if any) adjustment. If Timex has their manufacturing process (including their suppliers) in control, they should be able to produce a consistent quality product for the price point.