Did Timex sneakily release some of the most affordable stone dials in the Q collection?
Buffy Acacia- The new Q Timex collection with stone dials was released about a month ago, but it flew under the radar.
- In a stainless steel case with gold PVD, it showcases natural malachite, lapis lazuli, and tiger’s eye.
- The 36mm case and stretch bracelet has a vintage charm suitable for any wrist.
Anyone paying even slight attention to watch releases over the last couple of months will have noticed the proliferation of stone dials on the market. There’s no real reason not to love them, as their natural origins make their patterns unique to each watch, they offer colours and textures that are difficult to replicate artificially, and they’re not actually that expensive to manufacture. Even with affordability in mind, it’s still surprising to see budget focused models suddenly sporting stone dials, as is the case with the Q Timex Quartz collection.
The Q Timex was first reissued back in 2019, 40 years after the original, and it has since evolved to become one of Timex’s staple collections. With its passing resemblance to a Rolex GMT-Master II and its hair-pincher of a bracelet, it became a fast hit among fans of retro oddities and affordable fun. This new range, released almost entirely without fanfare, has completely rocked its personality. Before we even acknowledge the dials, you’ll notice that the bracelet is now a single-link style with expansion capabilities, so it should remain snug and comfortable on most wrists. It may still nip a few hairs, but that’s pretty much part of the authentic 1979 experience. It even has a screw-in button cell battery compartment that’s rare to see these days.
Of all the semi-precious stones that get used for watch dials, these three seem to be the most common. There’s a deep blue lapis lazuli with its golden pyrite inclusions, almost creating a starry aventurescence. Malachite is the green stone with mesmerising bands, arranged as horizontal streaks exploring shades of light sage to dark juniper. Finally, tiger’s eye seems to capture the ‘70s swagger the most, with golden brown hues and dynamic optical properties. The needle-like inclusions that give tiger’s eye its chatoyant effect are actually caused by asbestos embedded in the stone – what’s more ‘70s than that? With all of these, the aluminium bezel inserts are colour-matched to the stone, and the 12-hour markers allow you to keep track of a second time zone by rotating the bezel.
At 36mm in diameter and 12mm thick, the Q Timex is technically marketed as a women’s model on the Timex website. That’s frankly ridiculous, as 36mm diameters can be found all over men’s catalogues these days as well. The stretch bracelet is rated to fit wrists between 5.3 to 7.5 inches in circumference, but if you run into any problems with it, you can always swap it out for a different 16mm strap. The case is stainless steel with a yellow gold PVD coating, but it never feels overly gaudy. It’s water-resistant to 50 metres, so you probably shouldn’t take it swimming, but you don’t need to be overly anxious either. The crystal is actually domed acrylic in proper vintage fashion, which means it will pick up scratches over time, but they can be polished out with ease.
Q Timex stone dial collection price and availability
The Q Timex stone dial collection is currently available from Timex’s website. Price: US$199
| Brand | Timex |
| Model | Q Timex |
| Case Dimensions | 36mm (D) x 12mm (T) x 42mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel with gold PVD |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Domed acrylic |
| Dial | Malachite, lapis lazuli, or tiger’s eye |
| Bracelet and strap | Stainless steel stretch bracelet with gold PVD |
| Movement | Seiko PC33, quartz |
| Power Reserve | Up to 3 years |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | US$199 |