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How Timex’s $1 Watch Story Spans 170 Years—But Not at $1 the Whole Time

Timex’s 170-year story is a company anniversary, not 170 years of $1 sales. See how the 1854 origin, 1896 dollar watch, and 2024 commemorative edition fit together.
Estimate3–4 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
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Timex did not sell $1 watches continuously for 170 years. The dates behind the anniversary headline mark three different things: the company’s roots in 1854, the first dollar watch in 1896, and a limited $1 commemorative watch announced in 2024. The anniversary linked them; it did not make them one uninterrupted $1 product line.

What does the 170-year claim actually mean?

Timex traces its corporate story to the Waterbury Clock Company, which began in Connecticut in 1854. That is the origin date behind the company’s 170th-anniversary celebration in 2024—not the start of a 170-year run of watches sold for one dollar.

The National Register of Historic Places gives the corporate timeline more detail: Waterbury began in 1854 as a branch of Benedict & Burnham and became a separately incorporated company in 1857. The dollar-watch milestone came later, in 1896.

When did the first dollar watch arrive?

The National Register record identifies the 1896 Ingersoll Yankee pocket watch as the first “dollar” watch. The label refers to that product milestone; it does not mean the Waterbury company had been selling $1 watches since its founding. The corporate origin, incorporation, and dollar watch are distinct points in the timeline.

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Timex Men's Expedition 41mm Watch, Green Case, Digital Dial, Black Strap
  • Bold Field Design: Green 41mm case with digital dial pairs with an adjustable black strap fitting wrists up to 8 inches for daily wear
  • Serious Performance: A 100-hour chronograph tracks lap and split times, plus a 24-hour countdown timer and a month, day and date calendar for everyday training
  • Everyday Alarms: Three daily, weekday, or weekend alarms with a 5-minute backup, 24-hour military time mode, and two time zones keep you on schedule
  • Night-Ready Visibility: An acrylic lens and INDIGLO light-up dial keep the gray digital display easy to read from dawn to dusk and after dark
  • Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise

Timex says that more than six million dollar watches had reached everyday Americans by the turn of the twentieth century. That figure is the company’s historical account; the National Register record reviewed here does not independently verify the quantity.

What was the $1 Timex Waterbury announced in 2024?

For its 170th anniversary, Timex announced a commemorative Waterbury watch priced at $1, with a stated limited edition of 1,000 watches worldwide and a scheduled release date of November 16, 2024. The announcement is historical, not confirmation that the watch is currently available.

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Timex Men's Ironman Classic 30 38mm Watch, Gray and Black Case
  • Contrast Case Build: A 38mm gray and black resin case pairs with an adjustable 18mm strap for secure, everyday training wear
  • Serious Performance: A 100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory and a 24-hour countdown timer support training days, while three customizable alarms keep you on schedule
  • Stay on Schedule: Two time zones and a full day, date and month calendar keep every plan on track wherever the day takes you
  • Night-Ready Visibility: An acrylic lens and INDIGLO backlight keep the digital display easy to read after dark, day or night
  • Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise

Timex described the anniversary model as quartz-powered, with a 40 mm stainless-steel case, anti-glare mineral glass, a day/date display, and a leather quick-release strap. These are the brand’s announced specifications, not independently tested findings. The limited commemorative model should not be confused with the Waterbury watches Timex sells as part of its regular collection.

Can you buy the $1 anniversary watch now?

The 2024 announcement set a past release date and limited the run to 1,000 units; it does not establish present stock or an authorized resale channel. Treat any listing as a separate offer and verify the seller, condition, and price before buying. Timex continues to show Waterbury models on its Waterbury collection page, but those current models are not the $1 anniversary edition. Check the exact product page for its current specifications, price, and availability.

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Timex Easy Reader 38mm Watch, Silver-Tone Case Blue Dial Brown Croco Strap
  • Blue Dial Style: Blue dial and silver-tone 38mm case pair with an adjustable brown crocodile-grain leather strap for daily wear
  • Adjustable Leather Strap: A 20mm genuine leather band fits up to an 8-inch wrist circumference for secure, comfortable everyday wear
  • Durable Construction: A 38mm brass case with a mineral glass crystal is built for everyday reliability through years of daily wear
  • Indiglo Backlight: A quick push of the button illuminates the dial in the dark, whenever it's needed most, day after day
  • Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise

Timex’s dollar-watch milestones at a glance

Year Milestone What it means
1854 Waterbury Clock Company begins as a branch of Benedict & Burnham. Company-origin date used by Timex; not the start of dollar-watch sales.
1857 Waterbury is incorporated as a separate entity. Corporate milestone recorded by the National Register of Historic Places.
1896 The Ingersoll Yankee is identified as the first “dollar” watch. The dollar-watch product milestone, decades after the company’s origin.
By the turn of the twentieth century Timex says more than six million dollar watches had reached everyday Americans. A company-reported historical figure, not independently confirmed by the reviewed National Register account.
2024 Timex announces a 1,000-watch $1 Waterbury anniversary edition. A limited commemorative offer with a November 16, 2024 release date—not evidence of current availability.
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Why the distinction matters

The anniversary story combines a long-running company history with a later product breakthrough and a modern promotional tribute. Timex’s 2024 account describes the dollar watch as part of its heritage, while the National Register record places the Ingersoll Yankee milestone in 1896. Reading those dates separately avoids turning a true 170-year company anniversary into an unsupported claim about 170 years of $1 watch sales.

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Timex Easy Reader 35mm Watch, Silver-Tone White Dial Black Leather Strap
  • Silver-Tone Classic: White dial pairs with an adjustable black leather strap for a timeless, easy-to-read look every day
  • Adjustable Strap: A comfortable band with a secure closure fits wrists up to 8 inches for a personalized, everyday feel every time
  • Indiglo Backlight: A quick push of the button illuminates the dial in the dark, whenever it's needed most, day after day
  • Effortless Style: Date window at 3 o'clock, full Arabic numerals, and a mineral glass crystal keep the dial simple and easy to read
  • Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise
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Timex Men's Expedition Scout 40mm Watch, Cream Dial, Green Fabric Strap
  • Cream Dial Design: Cream dial with full Arabic numerals pairs with an adjustable green fabric strap for a rugged, outdoor look
  • Adjustable Strap: A comfortable band fits securely up to an 8-inch wrist circumference for everyday wear, day in and day out
  • Indiglo Backlight: A push of the button illuminates the dial and luminous hands in the dark, day or night, rain or shine
  • All-Weather Durability: A mineral glass crystal and water resistance to 50 meters keep this field watch ready for daily wear
  • Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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