Timex E-Line Automatic men's watch with expansion band

Not every watch that calls itself retro actually earns the label. The Timex TW2Y67700 does. It is a direct revival of the E-Line that Timex originally released in 1983, a square-cased design with rounded corners that sat on wrists before most of us were paying attention to watches at all. The dark green dial with gold-tone indices and hands has a quiet confidence that works whether you are wearing it to a Friday lunch or a Saturday evening out. If you tend to notice good things before the crowd does, this one is worth a close look.

The stainless steel case measures 34 mm across, which sits comfortably on a range of wrist sizes without dominating, though at 12.5 mm thick it still has real presence on the wrist. That gold-tone finish over the steel gives it warmth without veering into flashy territory. The dial is dark green with cream-coloured indices and hands, and a date window sits neatly at three o'clock without cluttering the face. Inside runs a Miyota 8215 automatic movement, a Japanese calibre with a solid track record for reliability. It winds itself through everyday movement, but you can also wind it by hand if it has been sitting in your drawer for a few days. The crystal is acrylic, which is completely in keeping with the era this watch references. It is softer than sapphire, so it can pick up the odd light scratch over time, but it also gives off a slightly warm, rounded glow that mineral or sapphire glass simply does not replicate, and minor scratches polish out easily. The expansion band in stainless steel slips on and off the wrist in seconds, no clasp to fiddle with, which is part of what makes it feel so genuinely of its time.

Details

• Collection: Timex E-Line Automatic (1983 reissue)
• Case: Stainless steel, square with rounded corners, 34 mm diameter
• Case thickness: 12.5 mm
• Dial: Dark green with gold-tone indices and hands, date at 3 o'clock
• Movement: Miyota 8215 automatic with manual winding
• Crystal: Acrylic
• Band: Stainless steel expansion band
• Water resistance: 5 ATM

This is a limited seasonal release, so stock is not going to be replenished indefinitely. With 5 ATM water resistance it handles everyday splashes and washing up without any concern. The Miyota movement is built to run steadily for years with no servicing anxiety. If you want something on your wrist that has an actual story behind it rather than just a round steel case with a date, this is a straightforward place to start.