Different materials

TIMEX used several materials in their watch cases. The chrome-plated brass cases are the ones you come across the most. This was an important way to be able to produce low-cost watches. These cases all had a stainless steel casaeback however. This was imprinted on the caseback, together with other qualities of the watch (case) such as waterproof / resistent, dust- and shockproof.

The gold-plated watches were the equivalent of the chrome-plated ones, a thin layer of gold on a brass case with once again a stainless steel caseback. For a short period of time TIMEX also produced watches with a stainless steel case. The early skindivers from the sixties and some models in the late seventies. In 1968/69 Timex produced their only 14K full gold watch, the TIMEX 'DORADO' Electric, the prestige watch by TIMEX.  

Different case forms

Just like other brands the majority of the TIMEX models had universal case forms like round, square, oval, cushion and rectangle cases. However, they also used some distinctive case forms like the one you see below.

The TAPERED case

One of the scarcer TIMEX cases are the tapered ones. TIMEX used them for their Sprite series in 1977, 1978 and 1979. You can recognize them from the pointy left cheek of the case, making the case taper towards the lugs.

The HEXAGON case

Another extraordinay case form TIMEX used in the seventies. A case where at first site you think it's a normal round case but something is wrong with your eyesight. After inspecting it close by you see it actually has six sides (hence hexagon). 

These case were used for some of the Marlin watches from 1976 and 1977. 

The BRICK & TILE case

Design a 'not your average square case' must have been the challenge for the TIMEX product design department. The outcome is a range of case designs I have named the BRICK & TILES models.  

More info on the Brick & Tile madels can be found here,

The UFO case

A sturdy, robust oval-like case used for a range of Marlin models from 1973 - 1976.