Watch Spotlight: Timex Men's Easy Reader

While we've been posting about minimalist watches this week, we should mention the minimalist masterpiece that has been going strong for years. It's the Timex Easy Reader. Your dad and grandfather have been minimalists for years. They haven't had to know anything about the Bauhaus design movement, the Scandinavian design ethos, Swiss railroads, or artists in Denmark. They just wanted a no-nonsense watch that works. And, just when you think you are cooler, it's on trend with a slightly smaller 38mm case diameter that's growing in popularity.  

Timex Easy Reader--Brown Strap, Silver-tone case, deep blue dial (Amazon.com)

Well, my watch has lume!

Timex has Indiglo backlighting. 

I can shower with my watch!

What is wrong with you?

 I paid $13,000 for my watch!

What is wrong with you? 

-- and -- 

What time is it on your $13,000 watch? 

10:10 p.m.

Same as the time on this here $45 Timex watch.

You can't win. Don't even try. You can still get this Timex Easy Reader right here via my affiliate link for less than $50!

[Update 8/2026, the original deal on this watch expired, but this one is still available for less than $50. It's a great deal for a solid watch.]

Searching for Watch Authenticity? Try the Timex Easy Reader

Lately, there have been many allegations that some of the world's most prestigious Swiss watch brands are actually selling watches that have largely been made in China. This accusation extends beyond the world of watches into other high fashion items like Italian leather goods. Since the threshold for the Swiss Made label is fairly low, there is lots of wiggle room for manufacturers. It's a whole big thing. It's also quite the rabbit hole. The controversy makes this the perfect time to take a look at a basic watch that is definitely made overseas: the Timex Easy Reader.

Most Timex watches are made in their Cebu manufacturing facility in the Philippines. According to Timex, 80% of their watches are manufactured, assembled, or shipped from the Cebu plant. It's a vertically-integrated factory that can make just about every aspect of a watch. You can see a video of this factory here on the Ablogtowatch youtube channel.

Timex Easy Readers have long been derided as grandpa watches or for people with bad eyesight. They are a great watch for Father's Day. But, over the years, the colors and straps have quietly been evolving. Frankly, this is a pretty good looking watch. The watch has a 38mm case which is on trend for a move towards slightly smaller cases. According to Timex, the 20mm strap fits wrists up to 8-inches in circumference. This is timekeeping without pretension or artifice.

The Easy Reader is also a watch that sells for a very reasonable price. As of this writing (June 2026), you can get see all the Timex Easy Reader watches for men here via my Amazon affiliate link.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Timex Easy Reader

Have you wondered what kind of watch the millionaire next door wears? Odds are it's something like the Timex Easy Reader.  It might not be the flashy watch you think.  The millionaire next door might be the guy with the pickup truck or the small fleet of workman's vans.  That guy might be focused on value and functionality.  The Timex Easy Reader delivers that in spades.

The Timex Easy Reader in front of a Rolls-Royce

This watch is special to me because it once belonged to my late father.  It actually makes a great father's day watch.  I outline the reasons why in this post.

To see the complete line of men's Timex Easy Reader watches check out my affiliate link here on Amazon.

(Updated June 14, 2026)

A Father's Day Watch - The Timex Easy Reader

If you are looking for a watch this Father's Day, I spotted this Timex Easy Reader (EZ Reader) on a recent trip to Walmart.  It's a nice watch because it has a stitched leather strap and an eminently readable dial.

Timex EZ Reader with Stitched Leather Strap

Watches for Older Collectors

Depending on the age of your dad, he might not be able to read all the tiny sub-dials that many watches display.  I know that as I get older it becomes more and more difficult to read subdials.  According to the American Optometric Association -

Beginning in the early to mid-40s, many adults may start to have problems seeing clearly at close distances, especially when reading and working on the computer. This is among the most common problems adults develop between ages 41 to 60. This normal change in the eye's focusing ability, called presbyopia, will continue to progress over time.

Initially, you may need to hold reading materials farther away to see them clearly. Or you may need to remove your glasses to see better up close. Print in the newspaper or on a restaurant menu may appear blurred, especially under dim lighting.

It sucks to switch to bifocals or reading glasses just to check the time.  Fortunately, the Timex EZ reader watches help wearers avoid all that by simply having big numbers and broad hands. 

Timex EZ Reader

Timex EZ Reader Features

I like this EZ Reader because it has the brown dial and strap that are so common on military-style field watches.  While I have a smaller Timex EZ Reader, this one has a 43 millimeter diameter case which is a a mere 8 millimeters thick.  This is a nice contemporary watch size.  For night time use, the EZ Reader also has Indiglo back-lighting for the dial.  Finally, the EZ Reader is water resistant to a respectable 50 meters.   The specifications are quite respectable for a watch in this price category.

For this Father's Day, you might want to check out the whole family of Timex EZ Reader watches for men.  As of June 14, 2026, you can see the complete line of Timex Easy Reader Watches here on Amazon via my affiliate link.

This Timex took a licking and kept on ticking!

It's been the move from hell and it isn't even over.  It rained.  I wasn't fully packed.  The movers were late.  We saved too much stuff to move ourselves.  We had too many narrow staircases to navigate.  The apartment we moved to was in unacceptable shape.  But, through it all, my Timex Easy Reader kept good time.

Timex Easy Reader

It got wet.  It got scraped against walls.  It got bounced on banisters. But, this tough little watch held up well.  As the old commercials said, this Timex took a licking and kept on ticking!

Timex Goodwill Find Worth Less Than $2 Million

Watch Review:  Timex Uni-Sex Easy Reader

 On Sunday, April 26, 2015, a man made an exciting discovery at a North Georgia Goodwill.  It was a Timex watch unlike any other.  Now watch collectors can only wonder if this watch will reach the rarified heights that other unique thrift store watches have attained at auction.  In February, a man found a 1959 Jaeger-LaCoultre dive watch in a Phoenix Goodwill.  His $6 watch find sold for $35,000 at auction.

 Today, we have an exclusive interview with the owner of this interesting Timex!

What makes this Timex watch unique?

When you hold this watch towards the sun, you'll see that there are a series of shadows on the dial.  These shadows are cast by fine, nearly invisible, scratches on the crystal.  No other old Timex has this exact series of scratches.  Each scratch represents a moment in the history of this watch and its wearer.  It gives one goosebumps just to think of all the history in this one watch.  It has taken a licking and keeps on ticking.

Why did you choose this particular watch?

This watch stood out from all the other watches under the glass for two reasons:

1.  It looked like a man's watch and I am a man.  Men's watches seem to be exceedingly rare at Goodwill.
2.  It was actually running.

Have you made any improvements to this watch?

When I found this watch, it was shod in a ratty old velcro band from a Timex Expedition.  But, from the clarity of the number on a white dial, I believe it to be some sort of Timex Easy Reader. I initially switched the strap out for a clean new leather strap.   I don't think that detracted from the value of the watch.  However, it did look dainty and less masculine.

My next move was to leather strap out for a velcro and nylon strap that looked considerably more rugged.  It's amazing how much difference a $5 strap from Walmart can make.  I believe that I have boosted the value of the watch immensely.  It's certainly a watch that I can wear regularly now.

When was this watch made?

While the Timex Easy Reader has a vintage look, the presence of Indiglo dial lighting reveals that it was made more recently.  Plus, it has a quartz movement.  Thus, we can deduce that it must be a thoroughly modern masterpiece.  In fact, you can get similar watches now on Amazon.com and at Walmart.

Is this watch for men or women?

This Timex watch may well transcend traditional gender-based fashion.  It has a rather small 35 millimeter diameter case.  The 35 millimeter case is found on mens, womens, and unisex versions.  This watch is a little small for a man.  With the factory strap, it's a great woman's watch.  With a more manly strap, it works well for a man.

What do you expect this watch to fetch at auction?

I think serious horologists will undervalue this watch.  While it intrinsically has value by virtue of its ability to keep accurate time, the collecting community may undervalue the simple style and functional honesty of this important timepiece.  Thus, I believe this watch will fetch somewhat less than the desired $2 million dollars.  I may simply keep it.  It has large numbers, indiglo backlighting, and a very readable dial.

How much did you pay for this watch?

$5.  But, mine had "historic" scratches in the crystal from the outset.  Others may have to buy the watch new and install their own scratches.

Overall, what do you think of the Timex Easy Reader?

I like the Timex Easy Reader quite a bit.  I would have never bought it new with the idea of installing a different strap.  But, with a wider, more manly, strap, I can see why many people like the simplicity of the Timex Easy Reader.  It's a great basic bang around watch.