Did Timex Just Top Its Most Popular Watch of the Past Decade?

Introduced in 2019, the Q Timex Reissue was so successful that it remains one of the Waterbury watchmaker’s most beloved and impactful designs.

With a diver-inspired look and unbeatable value, it solidified Timex as the king of sub-$200 watches and was only matched in popularity when a GMT complication was added.

Timex

Even after five years of expanding the Q Timex collection, the only releases that have matched the success of the Reissue have been variations on the original.

But Timex may finally have released a watch that can dethrone the Reissue by converging multiple trends in one expertly crafted timepiece.

Timex

The Q Timex Continental GMT has the most sought-after case size, bracelet design and complication of 2025, and all three fit together in a natural balance that doesn’t feel like trend-jumping. If there is a watch that can become the new Q Timex king, this is it.

True to form

Inspired by iconic luxury pieces like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus, integrated steel sports watches have become the hottest trend in the industry. It seems like every brand is trying its hand at the genre.

Timex

Rather than copying specific design elements or knocking off those icons wholesale, Timex is tweaking its existing watch and borrowing from its own archive to conform to the trend.

Starting with the Reissue case, the covered lugs have been replaced with an integrated bracelet, the bezel has been replaced with a fixed steel bezel and the crown is nearly identical.

Timex has used the H-link steel bracelet with a center clasp multiple times before, and the case back is a standard-issue etched globe logo used throughout the current lineup.

Timex

Where the Continental GMT differs most from the rest of the existing Q Timex collection and strays closest to copycatting is the dial. The baton applied indices are nearly universal but resemble the Nautilus in this case. However, the minute and hour hands are nearly a knockoff.

Timex differentiates itself from the crowded integrated sports watch market with a diver-esque second hand and a category-divergent GMT window. An inset rotating dial is rarely used as a GMT complication and is almost exclusively found on dress watches.

Can’t go wrong either way

Timex is offering the Continental GMT in two varieties at launch. The gray-blue dial has a fine snailed texture that creates a sunburst effect. It comes on a steel H-link bracelet with a three-piece center clasp. While there are six removable links, it does not have micro-adjustment.

Timex

For $20 less, a black rubber pin-buckle tropical strap with a herringbone texture and sidewalls is available. It comes with a silver dial that has the same fine snailed texture.

Aside from the quartz movement, which is unavoidable at this price, the only significant drawback to the Continental GMT is the weak 50m water resistance. Like a pool without a lifeguard, you can swim in this at your own risk.

Timex accomplished the precarious feat of jumping on a viral trend without coming off as desperate or pandering. The Continental GMT is a natural fit and logical progression of the Q Timex collection and checks so many desirable boxes that it can’t go wrong.

Timex

The Q Timex Reissue was a resounding success because it came out when the Rolex Submariner was the hottest watch on the planet and offered a very affordable but respectable alternative. The Continental GMT offers the same deal for 2025’s most coveted and copied watches.

Availability and pricing

The Q Timex Continental GMT is available now from Timex for $189 with a steel bracelet and $169 with a rubber strap.

Timex

Q Timex Continental GMT

Specs

Case Size	39mm
Movement	Quartz
Water Resistance	50m

• $189 at Timex

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