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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Self-winding wristwatch

Timex Gents Self-Winding Wrist Watch

Partially verified

This gents self-winding wrist watch was manufactured by the U.S. Time Corporation in Great Britain, circa 1957. The object is currently presented in a dismantled state for display purposes, showing the case, dial, and movement separately. It features a stainless steel case back and a white dial characterized by an outer ring of arabic numerals for minutes and an inner hour ring featuring silver arabic numerals for even hours and silver arrows for odd hours. The movement is constructed with metal pressings and utilizes hardened alloy bearings rather than traditional jewels. Technical features include a self-winding spring and a lever escapement. The dial is signed with the Timex brand and manufacturing origin, while the case back bears specific inscriptions regarding its technical properties. This specimen was acquired by the museum in 1958 through a donation from Joseph Lowy.

Disassembled components of the Timex wrist watch showing the casing with strap, the movement mechanism, and the dial face.
Disassembled components of the Timex wrist watch showing the casing with strap, the movement mechanism, and the dial face. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Wristwatch · Self-winding wristwatch
Maker / attribution
U.S. Time Corporation
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 24491
Source-reported date
circa 1957
Source-reported place
Great Britain

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch features a stainless steel case back and a white dial. The dial layout includes an outer ring of arabic numerals designated for minutes. The inner ring displays the hour markers, utilizing silver arabic numerals for even numbers and silver arrows for odd numbers. The markings on the dial explicitly state the brand name and country of production.

The back of the case includes technical information regarding its composition and shock resistance. The inscriptions indicate the watch is a self-winding model produced by the U.S. Time Corporation. The watch is shown in the associated photograph with its leather strap still attached to the primary casing element while the movement and dial are detached from the housing.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial has outer ring of arabic numerals for minutes and inner hour ring of silver arabic numerals for even numbers and silver arrows for odd numbers.”
  • “Dial is marked 'Timex', 'Self Wind' and 'Made in Great Britain'.”
  • “Back of case is marked 'U.S. Time Corporation, Stainless Steel Back, Self Wind, Shock Resistant'.”

Movement and Construction

The movement is noted for its method of construction, which utilized metal pressings rather than traditional techniques common at the time. To minimize costs, the manufacturer replaced jewels with hardened alloy bearings. The source states that these alloy bearings were intended to provide increased durability during operation.

The movement is a self-winding type equipped with a lever escapement. As part of the manufacturing design philosophy, the movements were engineered as modular units. If a functional failure occurred, the repair procedure consisted of replacing the entire movement rather than servicing individual internal parts.

Evidence for this section
  • “Most of the movement was made from metal pressings, and expensive jewels were replaced with hardened alloy bearings, which proved more durable.”
  • “Self-winding spring; lever escapement.”
  • “If a fault developed with the movement, it was replaced with an entire new movement.”

Acquisition and Object Status

The watch is currently held in the museum collection under the registration number ST 24491. It was acquired as a donation from Joseph Lowy on 22 December 1958, shortly after its circa 1957 production period.

The object is permanently maintained in a dismantled condition to facilitate display. This configuration allows the internal components, such as the movement and the dial face, to be viewed independently of the watch case. The total dimensions of the object are recorded as 1.8 cm in width with an outside diameter of 3.6 cm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Registration number: ST 24491”
  • “Acquisition: Donation from Joseph Lowy, 22 Dec 1958”
  • “Dismantled for display.”
  • “Dimensions: configuration: Overall Dimensions, dimensions: 1.8 cm (Width), 3.6 cm (Outside Diameter)”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific model or caliber designation for this movement?
  • Did the production in Great Britain involve local component sourcing or the assembly of imported American parts?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Timex Gents Self-Winding Wrist Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerU.S. Time Corporation“Manufacturer, name: U.S. Time Corporation”
Datecirca 1957“circa 1957”
Place of manufactureGreat Britain“Great Britain”
Registration numberST 24491“Registration number: ST 24491”
Case materialStainless steel“stainless steel case”
Dial detailsWhite dial with minute and hour rings“White dial has outer ring of arabic numerals for minutes and inner hour ring of silver arabic numerals for even numbers and silver arrows for odd numbers.”
Movement typeSelf-winding lever escapement“Self-winding spring; lever escapement.”
Case inscriptionsU.S. Time Corporation, Stainless Steel Back, Self Wind, Shock Resistant“Back of case is marked 'U.S. Time Corporation, Stainless Steel Back, Self Wind, Shock Resistant'”

Visible details

  • The watch is presented in a disassembled condition with components separated.
  • The white dial displays both minute numerals and a combination of arrow and numeric hour markers.
  • The watch includes a black strap attached to the case section.
  • The movement component features a circular base plate with a central arbor.

Research qualifications

  • The exact state of internal movement parts beyond the visible base plate cannot be verified from the image.
  • The functionality of the self-winding mechanism is not confirmed by the documentation.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Wrist Watch - Timex, Great Britain, circa 1957

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 644b9e9003

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other self-winding wristwatch records