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Timex Sunburst Dial, Calendar Aperture, circa 1960s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Timex Sunburst Dial, Calendar Aperture, circa 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Timex (maker)
Date
c. 1960s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 34 mm
Stock no.
vws4138
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws4138)
Catalogue title (original)
Timex - Attractive Sunburst Dial - Calendar Aperture - c.1960s (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws4138), this is a wristwatch by Timex, dated c. 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 34 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Founded in 1854 as the Waterbury Clock Company, Timex became one of the most recognisable watch brands in the world thanks to its reputation for producing reliable, affordable timepieces. By the 1960s, Timex had firmly established itself as a household name, offering stylish mechanical watches that combined practicality with contemporary design. Many vintage Timex models from this period showcase the bold colours and modern aesthetics that defined the decade, making them increasingly collectable today. What's on Offer This vintage Timex manual wind date watch from the 1960s perfectly captures the optimism and design flair of the era. Housed in a 34mm stainless steel case, it features a striking silver sunburst dial accented by a bold blue chapter ring and matching blue hands. The contrasting colours create a distinctive look that immediately stands out from more conventional dress watches of the period. Adding further practicality is the date display positioned at 3 o'clock, framed by a blue border that complements the rest of the dial design. The applied baton hour markers and clean layout give the watch a crisp, modern appearance that remains surprisingly contemporary more than half a century later. Powering the watch is a manual wind mechanical movement, offering the tactile pleasure of daily winding that many enthusiasts appreciate. The watch is fitted to a blue textured leather strap which works exceptionally well with the blue detailing found across the dial. Presented in very good vintage condition, the watch retains strong visual appeal throughout. The silver dial displays a pleasing even tone with the blue accents remaining vibrant and eye-catching. The stainless steel case shows light signs of wear consistent with age and careful use, while the plexiglass crystal remains clear. Overall, this is an attractive and honest example of a 1960s Timex that wears extremely well today.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Calendar, moon-phase and perpetual calendar watches

Calendar complications range from a simple date to the perpetual calendar, which automatically allows for months of different lengths and leap years until 2100. Pocket watches with perpetual calendars were made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; Patek Philippe made the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925, and series production followed in 1941. The annual calendar (Patek Philippe, 1996) needs correction only once a year.

Moon-phase displays use a disc with two moons and 59 teeth advanced daily, approximating the 29.5-day lunation; more precise trains reduce the error to one day in over a century.

What to look for

  • Apertures or subsidiary dials for day, date, month and leap year.
  • Moon disc under a 'bosom' shaped aperture.
  • Recessed correctors on the case band for setting the calendar.

Dating clues

  • Triple-date wristwatches: popular c. 1940–1955.
  • Perpetual calendar wristwatches: from 1925 (unique) and 1941 (series).

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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