Starting with a range of nurses watches manufacturered in 1945, 1940’s Timex watches saw the brands earliest footsteps into becoming one of the worlds largest horology brands. Initial pieces were based on the M21 manual wind movement and featured 2 hand designs.
Little is known about watches from this period with the earliest known catalog being produced in 1949.
Other U.S. time brands were launched around the same era including Kelton and Saga. As a result, much of the history surrounding 1940’s Timex can be estrapolated from these other brands which shared a common design language.
Brand: U.S. Time / TimexModel: F-21Caliber: M21, manual windYear: 1949Case: Steel, water resistantDial: Arabic numerals The vintage Timex model F was available in additional variations: FR-21: Radiolite FSR-21: Sweeping second hand and Radiolite
Brand: U.S. Time / TimexModel: C-21Caliber: M21, manual windYear: 1949Case: 10k rolled goldDial: Gold track with black numerals This model was also available as the CS-21 which included a sweeping second hand.
Brand: U.S. Time / TimexModel: B-21Caliber: M21, manual windYear: 1949 The B-21 was available in several additional variations: BR-21: 10k rolled gold case, black dial, Radiolite hands and numerals, natural pigskin strap. BS-21: With sweeping seconds hand. BSR-21: Radiolite with…
Brand: U.S. Time / TimexModel: A-21Caliber: M21, manual windYear: 1949 This vintage Timex watch is the model A, also available as the AS-21 with sweeping seconds. The model A would later become the Petite range of ladies and children’s watches.
Brand: U.S. Time / SagaModel: E-21 (model E, M21 movement)Caliber: M21, manual windYear: 1948 The Saga E-21 watch can be found in an ad in Life magazine dated 13th September 1948. The model E range would later be classified as…
Brand: U.S. Time / SagaModel: AS-21 (Model A, Sweeping second hand, M21 Movement)Caliber: M21, manual windYear: 1949 The Saga AS-21 can be found in a Life Magazine ad dated 6th September 1948.
Brand: U.S. Time, SagaModel: BSR-21 (Model B, Sweep, Radiolite)Caliber: M21, manual windYear 1948 The Saga BSR-21 can be found in an ad in Life magazine dated 27th September 1948. A few years on, this would become the Timex Model B…
Brand: SagaModel: D-21Caliber M21, manual windYear: 1948 The D-21 Saga watch can be seen in an ad from Life magazine dated 16th Aug 1948. I suspect the model name is derived from the D model with a M21 movement.
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DeanCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1948 The 1948 Kelton dean watch can be found in an ad dated 1948
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DexterCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1948
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DirectorCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1948
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton Mickey MouseLicense: Disney CorpCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1947Case: Gold platedDial: White with gold embossed arabic numerals. The dial features the Disney character Mickey Mouse.Hands: The hands are Mickey’s arms with fingers pointing to the time. Licensed from…
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DrakeCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1947Case: Gold platedHands: Gold, stick, un-lumedDial: White, printed outer minute track, Embossed gold arabic numerals at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 The Kelton Drake first appears in Kelton ads from 1947. The…
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DouglasCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1947Case: Gold platedDial: White, printed minute track, arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 & 9 The Kelton Douglas watch can be first seen in Kelton ads from 1947.
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DorsetCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1947Case: Gold platedDial: White with gold markers, double markers at 12, 3, 6 & 9Hands: Gold, un-lumed, no sweeping seconds The 1947 Kelton Dorset watch is featured in ads from 1947. It is…
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DeltaCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1947Case: Gold plated
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DarwinCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1947Case: Gold plated The Kelton Darwin watch can be seen in ads from this year.
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DelphiCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1947Case: Gold plated The Delphi first appeared in these 1947 Kelton ads.
Brand: KeltonModek: Kelton DaytonCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1947Case: Gold plated The Kelton Dayton first appeared in this 1947 ad.
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DevonCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1947Case: Gold plated The Kelton Devon watch makes it’s first appearance in an advert from 1947.
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DirectorCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1946Case: Gold plated This Kelton Director watch can first be seen in the 1946 Sears* catalog and October 21st edition of LIFE magazine. *Source wishbookweb.com
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DexterCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1946Case: Gold plated This Kelton Dexter watch can first be seen in the 1946 Sears* catalog and October 21st edition of LIFE magazine. *Source wishbookweb.com
Brand: KeltonModek: Kelton DeanCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1946Case: Gold plated This Kelton Dean watch can first be seen in the 1946 Sears* catalog and October 21st edition of LIFE magazine. *Source wishbookweb.com
Brand: KeltonModel: Kelton DavidsonCaliber: M21, manual windYear: 1945
Brand: TimexModel: Timex Model DGender: Men’s WatchReference: D-21Caliber: M21 (Manual Wind)Year: 1949 / 1950Dial Code: N/ACase: Gold platedLug Width: 16mmDial Markings: Made in U.S.A. Catalog Description: D-21. Modern design, 10K rolled gold plate bezel, gold etched numerals, cordovan color leather…
For Repair Brand: U.S. Time / TimexModel: E-21Style: Tank WatchCaliber: M21 (Manual Wind)Year: 1949Case: 10k rolled gold platedDial Markings: Shock Resistant
Brand: U.S. Time / SagaModel: D-21Caliber: M21 (Manual Wind)Year: 1949Case: 10k rolled gold plated