The Q Timex 1978 Reissue is part of the brand’s series of reissues from their back catalog of watches from decades past. It’s a quartz watch that’s a remake of the original Timex design from 1978. And it just radiates cool.
The Watch Profiler gets hands-on for a Q Timex 1978 Reissue review.
A Stylish Linen Texture Dial
The dial on the Q Timex 1978 screams 1970s style, with a dressy, sporty flare. It’s a silver dial with a vertical brushed linen pattern that adds a bit of panache. The textured silver of the dial can appear a bright silver to a deep silvery-gray or even shine with a warm gold-tinted glow, depending on the light. I was surprised to see how many dimensions such a simple dial like this could take on throughout the day.
Polished and faceted applied stick indices stand out from the brushed surface of the dial. The polished facets glint and shine while helping add to the legibility. A printed minute track surrounds the dial, which curves downward along the edge where it meets the case. This curved edge provides another opportunity to catch the light, adding a highlight along the minute track and add more dimension to the dial.
Windows at the 3 o’clock position show the day and date on a white date wheel. Thin black outlines surround the windows, helping define them and adding an extra little detail to the design. The day date is a nice feature that feels very authentic to a 1978 reissue. However, the windows may seem slightly small and difficult to read from some angles. The tradeoff is that the cutout windows don’t much detract from the cleanliness of the dial. Instead, the day-date windows add a charm of their own.
The Q Timex 1978 has polished stick hands that pair very well with the rectangular indices. They have what appears to be a stipe of lume down the center of each, but that’s just a design element. There isn’t any lume on this dial.
Q Timex is printed at the top of the dial, with just the word “QUARTZ” printed across the lower half. The Timex kept things simple and elegant with the Q Timex 1978 Reissue. This dial would not look out of place on a much more expensive watch.
The Throw-back Cushion Case
The Timex Q 1978 Reissue Day-Date measures 37mm wide, with a 43.1mm lug-to-lug length. The watch is around 12.2mm thick, including the large, domed crystal. And it has a lug width of 20mm. It’s an appealing size, but wears a little larger than the dimensions would suggest. That’s due in part to the broad shape of the cushion case design. The wide lugs don’t curve downward towards the wrist either. That gives the case a very flat profile and makes it wear longer than you might expect. Especially if the shape of your wrist is more round in shape. But overall, it should wear well on a range of wrists sizes.
The case is fully polished, with smooth, rounded contours. The polished finish gives the watch a more dressy appearance and provides plenty of opportunities to shine when it catches the light. The cushion case is sleek, but it also gives the watch a more commanding presence on the wrist. It’s an uncommon yet sophisticated look with a strong 70s vibe that feels vintage but not out-of-place today. And it feels substantial and well-made while remaining thin. You could even call it svelte.
The crown is simple and understated, unsigned, and tucked into the curve of the case side. The crown action is smooth and easy to use when setting the time, day, and date.
The Q Timex has a brushed case back with little in the way of markings. The standout feature here is the separate battery compartment door, which you can open with the simple twist of a coin or flathead screwdriver. This is another throwback feature shared by all Q Timex models. And it’s really convenient, allowing the owner to easily change the watch battery without opening the entire case back.
The Big Domed Crystal
Another standout design element of the Q Timex 1978 Reissue is the tall, generously domed acrylic crystal. The crystal probably makes up at least 40% of the overall height of the watch. All that curvy glass adds another touch of class to the Q Timex 1978, and adds to the vintage look. It should help the watch stand out a bit more on your wrist, too, while still easily sliding under a shirt cuff.
The Leather Strap
The Q Times 1978 comes on a basic black leather strap with a subtle grain. The watch band tapers nicely from 20mm at the lugs to 16mm at the polished steel buckle. It’s a fitting style for a watch like this. And it’s a quick-release strap, so you can easily change the strap without tools. That’s certainly handy if you’d like to try the watch on another band.
Q Timex 1978 Reissue Review: Conclusion
The Q Times 1978 Reissue really impressed me. It’s a watch with a lot of class and a ton of vintage appeal. This Timex is both sporty and sophisticated, with a dial, case, and crystal combination that adds up to a uniquely stylish look.
And it’s quartz, which makes it even more appealing to many. It’s relatively hassle-free compared to a mechanical watch. And unlike a mechanical will still tell the time when you pick it up again if it’s been off your wrist for several days. The coin-slot battery hatch makes changing the battery really easy when the time comes. Plus 1978 was right in the heyday of the quartz watch boom. And the original model was a quartz watch—so as a reissue the Q Timex 1978 is an authentic reproduction.
Who would I recommend the Q Timex 1978 Reissue to? If you are a fan of vintage 1970s or even early 1980s style, I think you’ll dig this watch. If you want a watch that will stand out on the wrist and get noticed, something with a unique look and a touch of sleek sophistication and class, the 1978 won’t disappoint. It would be a great, easy daily wear watch for someone with the right sense of style. Or a solid occasional-wear dress watch for most everyone else.
The one thing to consider is the flat case profile. With no downward curvature to the lugs, will wear longer than the actual 43mm lug-to-lug length of the watch. Perhaps significantly longer, depending on the circumference of your wrist and how round your wrist is. And the 37mm is a great size and very true to the aesthetic of the time. But the cushion case will make the watch wear larger than most 37mm watches. If you have a small wrist or are looking for a smaller watch, this could be a drawback. But for many wrist sizes, as well as larger wrists, it will fit just fine.
Finally, at a price of $169, the Q Timex 1978 Reissue is an attractive watch at an attractive price. It’s a little pricier than a lot of quartz watches, but it also has a lot more style and a unique look. And the heritage of the Timex brand, which dates back to 1854, comes as part of the package. If you are looking for a budget-friendly quartz watch with class, the Q Timex 1978 Reissue is definitely worth checking out.
Check out the Q Timex 1978 reissue and order one online on Timex.com.
