Before I get to my Timex Waterbury Traditional Day-Date review I should let you know that I have been an automotive enthusiast for as long as I can remember. While I love finding out about the latest hyper car, resto-modded classic or other high horsepower example of automotive excellence, I am almost equally drawn to the mundane “daily driver”. Truth be told, I find the technology used on economy cars nowadays truly phenomenal. Imagine, my daily driven sub-compact hatchback uses a 16-valve, 13.5:1 high-compression engine putting out near 80hp/litre; these are specifications that were more commonplace on performance cars just decades ago.

It is no surprise therefore, that my horological taste follows a similar vein. While desirable enthusiast brands like Rolex, Omega, Sinn and others seem to get the bulk of appreciation on popular watch forums, I truly believe that some hidden gems await discovery in the basic, economy-minded quartz models from brands like Timex, Armitron, Casio and others. Most of these gems have dials, fit and finish that belie their price point, holding their own in small and large collections alike.

The Timex Waterbury range has generally featured field watches and pilot-styled chronographs with a blend of retro and modern elements, harking back to their history since 1854. This range has been elevated (vs. say, the quintessential Easy Reader and Weekender lines) through improved case materials and sizing, to be positioned against basic Citizens and Seikos. Timex also appears to have been listening to the enthusiast market, since they have shifted focus to new ≤40mm Waterbury offerings in both quartz and automatic flavours.

The Timex Waterbury Traditional Day-Date, to me, is the sleeper hit of Timex’s new line-up by virtue of specs alone – a 39mm stainless steel case, 100m WR, 20mm lugs, a sector dial and signed crown, all for less than US$140 (MSRP). On wrist, the watch reveals a build quality that easily rivals competitors twice the price. The sector dial is the immediate attraction, being a homogeneous dark blue in low light, but showing contrasting concentric and satin brushed finishes on each section of the dial under sunlight. Raised numeric indices and a Waterbury-themed second hand counterbalance bolster the (relatively) upscale vibe of this Timex. The case features well brushed surfaces, with only a sliver of polishing at the bezel’s edge and on the signed crown. Caseback details include the usual specifications along with a laser-etched globe and Timex logo. The supplied leather strap, albeit thin, features quick release spring bars as a welcome change.

The Timex Waterbury Traditional Day-Date has a classy sector dial that may initially seem at odds with a brushed case that has tool-watch-esque WR, it is that dichotomy that lends to this watch’s versatility. Overall, it fits as a cohesive package that, with just a strap change, can move from the boardroom to a hike and then a snorkelling excursion in one go. Quartz power only serves to boost this all-purpose robustness, in my opinion.

Truthfully, the Timex Waterbury Traditional Day-Date is more akin (in price and features) to a daily driven compact car rather than say, the technological tour de force that is a modern sports car. That said, this simplicity should not detract from the joy any watch enthusiast could derive in owning one, when appreciated within the context of what it is. In short, this Waterbury embodies what a Go Anywhere Do Anything (GADA) watch should be, with classic sizing and looks that avoid the retro bandwagon, coupled with robustness not found in other watches at this price range. It can easily fit the role of a true “one watch”, or even a “palate cleanser” when coming from a watchbox full of higher priced automatics.

In my opinion, the Timex Waterbury Traditional Day-Date already gets the nod from watch enthusiasts, but I think this model is set to go one step further, with true enthusiast market appeal no matter the economic demographic.