Comments on: Timex TX 730 Hands On

By: Roger TX 770

Roger TX 770 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:11:06 +0000

I purchased the TX 770 and was immediately struck by the look and perceived quality. I must admit that I am disappointed in the quality given the $425 MSRP. The Watch Factory where I purchased this watch had a 50% off sale and has for the past month on this watch. I initially thought this was a huge bargain for a quality watch with German movement. I am now feeling like this is part of the marketing strategy for this watch – developing a perceived quality on the part of the consumer by pricing the watch at $400+. The leather wrapped sliding box is also very impressive, again I think part of a strategy to make the consumer perceive a higher quality timepiece than it actually is.

As others have indicated, the watch is manufactured in the Philipines – and the movement is only engineered in Germany.
My initial experience setting the watch was that the crown felt cheap. When I pulled it out to the first position to set the date, it didn’t seem to click in the first position, and the crown felt wobbly. That really irritated me and I almost didn’t purchase it, but the sales lady was able to adjust the date easily and when I tried it again I was able to get the crown to the proper first position for date adjustment.

My second issue is with the bezel. Other comments on the 730 were about a loose bezel. The bezel is so tight on my 770, I can barely turn it with my hands. I am tempted to get a pair of needle nose pliers and twist it to try and loosen it up, but I shouldn’t have to do that. I have yet to turn it 360 degrees – it is just too difficult. The electronic compass is a neat feature but what’s the point if you can’t rotate the bezel?

These 2 issues confirm to me that the quality is just not on par with a citizen or a seiko. I am considering returning the watch and spending the money on a comparable looking Citizen or Seiko.

By: DaveSuxDik

DaveSuxDik — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:17:51 +0000

Dave you’re a fuckin’ cock; you prejudiced racist bitch.

By: Nands

Nands — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:18:45 +0000

Hey ks, which Barney’s? N Halsted or downtown?

Thx

By: Nigel

Nigel — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:25:59 +0000

What do you guys think of Luminox as an alternative brand? I certainly see it as a 'tough' watch and have been very impressed with their Navy SEAL series as well as their chronographs. Just a plug for CountSpin -- they have falling-price auctions on watches and they feature Luminox on Thursdays.

By: ks

ks — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:02:42 +0000

Just picked up a 730-black face, black PVD bracelet for $169 at Barney’s in Chicago. They had an 800 titanium with black face and orange band for the same price.

By: Donny

Donny — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:54:13 +0000

I just picked up a TX800 all titanium model on sale for $539 at Nordstrom. The watch looks awesome! It really is a nice watch to look at.
My watch also has a loose bezel as mentioned in posts above. It has a little wiggle in it and does make a clicking noise when compressed in certain points. I plan on taking it in for service. I hope it can be resolved…
I purchased this watch not knowing it was built in the Philippines. I knew the watch was Italian-designed and the movement German-designed, which sounded great considering that should rival Swiss movements. The fact that it was assembled in the Philippines is not good news.
I think the price I paid is reasonable considering its $725 retail price. I’m sure there are better deals out there, but in terms of design and innovation i think it’s a good deal. It’s the first ever linear chronograph movement. That alone should interest many collectors.

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:00:20 +0000

I like the style, but can’t pay $500+ for a Timex, with a Philippines movement. If the price were around the $300 mark I think it’d be more accurately reflect its true value. I’ll wait til they come down in price or get something else. Nice looking watch though for sure.

By: Dave from two months ago

Dave from two months ago — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:54:43 +0000

Huh? Thanks for contributing.

By: bobo

bobo — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:50:14 +0000

Dave – you’re a problem right out of the box!

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:54:57 +0000

One serious problem with this watch is the casing, which can become magnetized. This is a profound design flaw, as even a slight magnetic field from the casing renders the compass useless. I’ve repeatedly calibrated the compass to no effect. This was a problem right out of the box.

By: Brad

Brad — Thu, 22 May 2008 03:43:58 +0000

Hey Dave & Jon. I bought my 730 one year ago (May 2007). It has run like a champ. No loose crown. No lost minutes. Tight bezel. I’m very tough on watches and this one has faired just the same. Despite that the crystal is pristine.

I love the way this watch looks too. I get so many comments on the watch that it’s almost silly. In fact, I get more comments about my great looking watch in a month then I got in 5 years on my $6000 Rolex Datejust!!!

I certainly understand your comments and concerns about quality. I researched Timex and this specific watch before purchasing and decide that it was worth the risk to try it out. In the end the only real way to know is if I’m still wearing the watch 9 years from now. In the meantime, I continue to enjoy wearing it each day. In fact, I like it so much I’m considering buying a 500!

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:15:58 +0000

To the above retailer: I have to agree. I collect watches, owning a current collection of about 50 high-end current and vintage watches, and have been looking for a solid everyday watch that can take a beating and I won’t feel too bad about possibly destroying. I don’t mind paying $400-500 for this type of watch, but I have definite concerns regarding its manufacturing and craftsmanship. The movement is NOT made in Germany, but was simply “German-designed” and Asian-produced. Being Asian-mass-produced raises some large quality concerns and red-flags. Its water-resistance is nothing more than ordinary at 10atm. The multiple motors means more opportunity for something to break. I agree that a Tissot, Swiss Army, Luminox, etc (or even a Seiko) would probably be a better value, if only they produced a product that had the cosmetic appeal of this watch.

I agree with the many people commenting on the fantastic aesthetics of this watch, but paying a half-a-grand for nice packaging with a built-in compass is a fool’s perception of value if the heart of the watch is not built to last. I think I will wait a little longer to see how this watch survives the test of time before spending my money.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:08:01 +0000

I have been working in the watch industry for years (selling to both consumers and businesses). I now have a few retail stores in the Seattle area that specialize in a number of quality watch brands.

I researched the possibility of carrying this line in my stores, but ultimately decided against it. I had a few major concerns and I would like to get some feedback from those who have owned one for more than a few days. Here are my concerns:

1) They have a proprietary movement with 4 independant rotors. This isnt necessarily a negative in and of itself. It concerns me that Timex does not have a track record for producing quality movements.

2) When I pull out the crown to set the time the crown actually “wobbles”. This is big red flag for me. It tells me that the watch movement is NOT as solid as it first appears.

3) They do use 316L stainless steel, but it feel extremely light in the holding it. This goes for both the bracelet as well as the watch case. It appears that they cheaped out in manufacturing by using a low index steel.

4) The watch is completely assembled in the Philipines. This is a HUGE red flag for me. Does this concern anyone else?

5) Similar to the previous posting, I also noticed that the bezel is not securely attached to the case.

After a lot of consideration I think there are a TON of other watches out there that are much better values. A few that come to my mind immediately are: Swiss Army Victorinox, Zodiac, Tissot, and even fashion watches like Burberry.

I am looking forward to reading your responses.

By: c.mitchell

c.mitchell — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:37:59 +0000

In late december of 07 I purchased a tx730 with the black strap, black dial and the stainless steel case. Love the watch. Purchased it for 350.00(in Toronto Canada.) Add GST and PST 400.00 out the door.

By: David ben-Avram

David ben-Avram — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:01:47 +0000

I was enthralled with the TX watches when I first read about them in Men’s Vogue, but I haven’t been taken with their design. Citizen Calibre, IMHO, is leaps and bounds ahead. My 8700 is a phenomenal watch!

By: Michigan Pete

Michigan Pete — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:21:53 +0000

Will purchase one within the next week for myself.
One month ago picked up a Timex T-Series Racing Chronograph-red. Have never been so surprised in my life–the detail is astounding and it looks and feels like two grand worth. Had no problem whatsoever leaving a Seamaster Chronograph on the winder for a week. Still don’t.

If the 730(old-style) is a worthy extension of Timex’s ability I will be moved. Think I’ll go black face/stainless case and immediately put a good, padded orange or yellow band on the ride so everybody get jealous.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:03:59 +0000

Just purchased the brown strap, rose gold bezel with black face from Nordstrom for $425 and love it. I collect timepieces and have the Tags, Omegas, etc… and have paid substantially more for them. This watch wtih sapphire crystal and elegant looks seem to have “expensive look” than some of my much more expensive watches. For $425, I know I am not getting a Rolex or a Baum/Mercier but I feel like I got a beautiful watch and have received many positive comments so to all you negative folks – it does not way Timex, it is a German movement – which is on par with a Swiss movement and a sturdy well made watch. If you want the look with a Baum/Mercier name and an automatic, go spend $2000+.

By: Mike from TO

Mike from TO — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:53:03 +0000

Just purchased a TX 730, and need to return the watch to have sized. I was in the market for the Breitling Super ocean. Which at this time was out of my price range. So far I find this watch the perfect weight, and a entry level collector watch, which will still turn heads. For the price you get alot of watch to complement any wardrobe. I guess time will tell. I havent seen this style of watch around yet in the $430. range as yet..

By: Paul in So Cal

Paul in So Cal — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 06:31:08 +0000

I just bought a TX 730 from Bloomingdales at $550+tax with a black dial and black PVD coating. Overall a stunning watch and I am very happy with it. Minor nitpicks: pushbuttons don’t click during activation; no screw down crown on a “sports” watch but the TX dress watch does have a screw down crown – strange; second time zone hash marks are so fine my middle-aged eyes can barely discern markings; second hand does not align with the 60 second hash marks on the dial precisely but I’ve seen this in TAG watches and Swiss makes. Plusses: Bezel turns and clicks solid like on a Omega Seamaster Chrono (like in picture, I’ve got one too); TX watch is much lighter than an Omega Seamaster Chrono (mechanical) since quartz saves some weight and lighter gage metal on TX bracelet I suppose; bracelet very well made; PVD coating has both polished and matte surfaces and looks way cool; trapezoidal window contains pretty good size date numerals easy to read without cyclops magnifier; compass is a fun gadget. Good value for the money spent – not quite up to the quality or feel of a Rolex, Breitling, TAG, or Omega (all of which I own), but doesn’t cost as much as those makes either.

By: Steven

Steven — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:15:12 +0000

I recently purchased the white face TX 730 with Steel bracelet. Regarding the 4 points raised by the reviewer above:

1. This is not the case for me at all. I find the watch to be very easy to read, and I love the skeletonized hands.

2. Not sure how they are “lean” in that they are not thin at all in my opinion. I find the hand design a strength of the watch (for me).

3. The lume seems fine to me, although I will grant it is not the same caliber as my Sinn 103, but I find it lasts much longer than 120 seconds. much.

4. I will agree with the reviewer above. I had not even thought to try this, but he is right.

Overall, I am personally very pleased with this watch. I like to look and feel (it’s solid an heavy), I am finding it to keep excellent time, and I love the retro dials and also the compass.

The only gripe I might have is when you press the chrono or compass buttons, there is no “click”. They just go in, and the function starts. I would have preferred some tactile feedback when pressing a button. Oh, and I would have preferred something other than battery power. Kinetic or Solar would have been perfect, but as this is my only watch needing a battery, it was worth it to me based on the looks and functions.

I expected a pretty nice watch, and feel like I got one a little better than I expected.

Would love to hear other owners comments.