In The Shop - Shop Spotlight: The Spirit Of The '80s Is Alive At Timex

It's officially '80s week here at HODINKEE, so in the HODINKEE Shop, we've donned our tracksuits, dug out our Walkmans, and gone ahead and gathered up a group of new Timex watches, each of which is a fun and affordable way to commemorate the decade and those preceding it. The 1980s were a time of experimentation, and with each of these watches coming in under $300, you simply can't go wrong with trying one on for size. Timex In The 1980s The global watch industry was changing rapidly in the 1980s. And it was in this decade (in 1982, to be exact) that Timex ceased production of mechanical watches (until the hand-wound Marlin was released in 2017) to focus entirely on quartz and digital timepieces. Among these was 1986's Ironman Triathlon, which would go on to become one of the brand's most well-known watches ever. But, as always with Timex, countless other watches produced in the decade channeled all sorts of different styles and designs. Digital timekeepers, hybrid LCD watches, traditional three-handers – you name it, Timex probably made it in the 1980s. Timex's comprehensive, no-holds-barred approach to watchmaking is one of our favorite aspects of the brand; we believe there's truly something out there for everyone. Q Timex Reissue Digital LCA A fact about the 1980s that should surprise no one – things were awkward. Garfield-branded merchandise was inexplicably everywhere. Neon colors were taking over the world. What exactly was Teddy Ruxpin supposed to be? There are a lot of things worth forgetting about the decade, and one you might have hidden deep in your memory is the development of digital timekeeping solutions, such as watches with LCD (liquid-crystal display) and LED (light-emitting diode) screens. People weren't quite ready for fully digital watches at the time, so Timex and other brands introduced hybrid analog-digital watches. And that's what the new Q Timex Reissue Digital LCA is paying tribute to, with a screen that indicates time both through an analog and digital lens. The Q Timex Reissue Digital LCA is more than just a conventional timekeeper, it boasts a full suite of multi-function capabilities. You have dual displays for the hour, minute, and seconds (capable of indicating two time-zones at once), a chronograph, an alarm, a countdown timer, a date, and a day-of-the-week counter. Timex places it all in a rectangular stainless steel package, which measures 32.5mm across and 9mm thick and comes with a matching bracelet. You can choose between a standard steel design or a gold-tone model that's perfect for anyone looking to channel their inner Gordon Gekko. Oh, and about the price – both executions of the Q Timex Reissue Digital LCA are available for $149, right here . Timex M79 Automatic The Timex M79 Automatic was released last year as a follow-up to the blockbuster quartz-heritage Q Timex from 2019. The biggest difference? There's an automatic movement ticking inside. Priced at $279, the M79 Automatic offers retro style with its barrel-shaped case, its woven stainless steel bracelet, and a unidirectional 60-minute bezel that comes in either two-tone "Batman" black-and-blue or an even matte black color. Finally, there's a white framed day-date aperture at three o'clock, and a bright red seconds hand to bring some color to each of the black dials. For a fun weekend watch, you can't do much better than this. You can see for yourself, right here . Timex Marlin Automatic × 'Peanuts' 70th Anniversary The Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz was published daily in newspapers worldwide from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000. In 2020, Peanuts celebrated its 70-year anniversary, and to celebrate, Timex created a special run of watches featuring Peanuts characters on the dials. Our favorite of the bunch? A no-date Marlin Automatic with Snoopy working away on a typewriter at six o'clock. While you can't see exactly what he's typing, I like to think he's on deadline for his favorite local watch blog – SNOOPINKEE, anyone? But honestly, does it surprise anyone that Snoopy isn't a fan of date windows? Of course there isn't one on this watch. The Timex Marlin Automatic x Peanuts 70th Anniversary is available now for $259, right here . Not a fan of Charlie Brown and the gang? No sweat, we've also updated the HODINKEE Shop with a new Marlin Automatic Day-Date with an attractive dark grey dial. Take a look here . Timex Navi XL Automatic In addition to the Marlin and Q Timex series, Timex has also maintained the Navi collection for a few years now, but it was only recently that the brand added an automatic option to the mix. This collection leans on functions that are most commonly associated with dive and field watches. You have a unidirectional, 120-click bezel that gives off the impression of a watch meant for timing underwater excursions, but there's also both 12- and 24-hour scales on the dial, something typical of vintage military watches. With the Navi XL, Timex is paying tribute to its tool-watch history while also imbuing it with the essential elements of a contemporary sport watch. It's the best of both worlds, really. The latest Timex Navi XL Automatic features a blue dial and bezel and is paired with a mesh stainless steel strap. For just $269, it's an absolute steal. Explore Timex Watches In The HODINKEE Shop While not every Timex watch listed here is a full-on 1980s reissue, each watch shares a charming vintage-inspired design and mechanical attributes to make it stand out as a solid value proposition. From the dawn of digital watches to a Snoopy showcase, there's a lot to like about each one of these Timex watches. You can take a closer look and learn more right now in the HODINKEE Shop .Fun, vintage-inspired watches that won't break the bank.