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.

Are you Iron Man? Here's your watch: Timex Ironman (T5K4139J)

If you are planning to start working out, jogging, and getting fit, you might check out the Timex Ironman Digital watch.  It's a watch that looks good in any setting and has plenty of good stopwatch functionality.  This one is a Timex Men's Ironman Triathlon 30-lap Oversize Digital Watch (T5K4139J).

 

This might make a good Christmas gift for that jogger on your list!  If you'd like to read a full review, check my review of the Timex Ironman Triathlon 30-lap Oversize Digital Watch here.

A Brand New . . . Old Timex

Looking at a New Old Stock (NOS) Timex Mercury

Many people assume that collecting vintage watches isn't affordable.  However, I recently bought a brand, new, in the original box, (new old stock), Timex Mercury manual wind wristwatch on eBay for about $40.

A 1970s vintage Timex Mercury watch

It's a simple watch.  But, it is interesting to compare it with today's Timex watches. I like the no nonsense styling of this 1970s vintage watch. It looks sharp! I can't believe I was able to find it in New Old Stock condition in its factory box.

[To read my full review, see this post:

Watch Review: Vintage Timex Mercury Manual-Wind Watch]