Timex Indiglo Two-Tone Women's Wristwatch with Crystal Accents
Jewelry (Watch) · Timex Group USA, Inc. Founded in 1854 as Waterbury Clock Company, Timex is a globally recognized American heritage brand known for durability and mass-market innovation.
Pattern: Indiglo Fashion Series; part of the mass-market dress watch collection featuring the electroluminescent Indiglo backlight introduced in 1992.
Type
Jewelry (Watch)
Maker
Timex Group USA, Inc. Founded in 1854 as Waterbury Clock Company, Timex is a globally recognized American heritage brand known for durability and mass-market innovation.
Material
Base metal with silver-tone and gold-tone plating; stainless steel caseback. This item is not solid silver or sterling. It contains no precious metal content besides decorative plating.
Dimensions
Standard women's fashion size; case diameter approximately 22-26mm. Weight is negligible, estimated at 30-45 grams including the expansion band.
Description
An essential example of turn-of-the-millennium affordable horology, this Timex Indiglo watch combines a two-tone aesthetic with functional technology. The circular bezel is highlighted by decorative, scroll-like lugs set with small rhinestones, transitioning into a classic silver and gold-tone expansion band. This piece represents the 'everyman's luxury' style of its time, intended for daily wear and legibility in dark conditions via its glowing dial.
Key Features
Indiglo electroluminescence, two-tone gold/silver plating, rhinestone-set lugs, and a white dial with classic Arabic numerals.
Material & Composition
Base metal with silver-tone and gold-tone plating; stainless steel caseback. This item is not solid silver or sterling. It contains no precious metal content besides decorative plating.
Finish & Decoration
Polished two-tone (gold/silver) finish with faux crystal (rhinestone) accents on the lugs. Features a white dial with gold-tone stick and Arabic numeral indices.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The dial is stamped 'TIMEX' and 'INDIGLO'. The caseback (unseen) would typically feature 'Stainless Steel Back', 'Timex CR Cell', and a base metal bezel indicator.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured; die-cast base metal case with electroplated finish. Quartz movement (internal) and a machine-stamped stainless steel expansion 'twist-o-flex' style band.
Functional Features
Indiglo backlight (activated by pushing the crown), three-hand timekeeping (hours, minutes, seconds), and a flexible expansion band for easy donning.
Handle & Grip Details
Knurled gold-tone crown at the 3 o'clock position; functions as both the time-setter and the Indiglo activation switch. Shows slight wear to the plating.
Craftsmanship Details
Mass-produced industrial craftsmanship. Finishes are applied via electroplating, and stones are glued/pasted rather than hand-set with prongs.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic Timex markings; standard mass-production construction consistent with Timex's retail output. No evidence of imitation as this is a budget-friendly consumer model.
Origin & Manufacturing
American brand (Timex); typically manufactured in the Philippines, China, or Hong Kong using Japanese or proprietary quartz movements.
Era & Period
Contemporary/Modern Era (Late 1990s to early 2010s). Designed as an affordable fashion accessory following the boom of Indiglo technology.
Age Estimate
Circa 2000-2010 based on the decorative lug design and the specific Indiglo font used on the dial.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of Swiss 'look' luxury for the American middle market. Timex's 'Takes a licking and keeps on ticking' slogan defined the cultural perception of the brand's reliability.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible wear to the gold-tone plating on the bezel and lugs (brassing), surface scratches on the crystal, and some oxidation buildup on the hands and dial indices.
Value Estimate
$10 - $25 USD. Value is driven by utility rather than material rarity; these are commonly found in the secondary 'thrifting' market.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Avoid immersion in water as these models are often only 'water resistant' (splash-proof) and not waterproof. Replace the CR-series battery every 2-3 years to prevent leakage.
Similar Pieces
Seiko Essentials Two-Tone, Casio Ladies Dress Watches, or Armitron Crystal Accented series. Unlike the others, only the Timex features the patented Indiglo glow.
Interesting Facts
The Indiglo light was so revolutionary that during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, an office worker used his Timex Indiglo to lead people down 40 flights of stairs in total darkness.