TIMEX BRAND AMBASSADORS - JESSY MENDIOLA & JOSEPH MARCO

Oldest TIMEX Watch Found Alive & Ticking

Timex Ambassadors Joseph Marco & Jessy Mendiola award $1000 reward

World-renowned watch makers and global icon, Timex recently brought to life the TIMEX® Originals, an exciting new collection that features vintage designs inspired by TIMEX products throughout the decades, as well as modern updates to classics still in the line today. The line celebrates the brand’s 156 years of watch-making experience; a homage to its heritage of authenticity.

Coinciding the launch of this new set of superior quality watches last January, TIMEX initiated a massive countrywide Hunt-down for the Oldest TIMEX Watch. The brand raised a $1000 reward up for grabs for anyone in possession of an authentic TIMEX watch with working, intact and complete parts. After a month of search, the shortlist of 20 entries with an original Timex, alive and ticking were finally bared.

Last May 25, 2011 at SM Makati, Timex gathered them all for a special moment to award the owner of the oldest Timex watch and celebrate with the rest of the partakers of the exciting promo. Joining the day were the new Timex brand ambassadors and two of the fast-rising young stars of today, Joseph Marco and Jessy Mendiola. Together, they took guests to an afternoon of rediscovering the brand’s amazing history and its prized time-trackers. “We are very happy with the response of the consumers to the Oldest Timex contest. We got really great entries which all demonstrated the incomparable quality, functionality and sturdiness every Timex watch possess. And it is something unique to our brand, something we are very proud of,” said Timex marketing director Gemma Pagsibigan.

Besting hundreds of entries to claim the top prize was Armando Paez and his 1894 Waterbury pocket watch (grand prize). The Waterbury watch, a sister company of Timex, manufactured the first inexpensive mechanical pocket watch in 1880 and quickly sold more than any other firm in the world. "The Waterbury" is known for its extraordinarily long, nine-foot mainspring and was assembled by a predominantly female workforce whose dexterous fingers were prized for the close and exacting work.

“Known as the "The Watch That Made The Dollar Famous", my Waterbury Pocket Watch came from my father as a gift on my college graduation which in turn was also was given to him by my grandfather. Up until now, this classic watch still ticks and shows no sign of stopping,” said Armando Paez when asked about the watch that won him the $1000 cash prize. Top two winners were Daniel Cheng and his 1897 Ingersoll Buck pocket watch (top 2) and Aileen Cheng and her 1931 Ingersoll “Yankee” pocket watch 1931 (top 3).

The contest’s grand winner and the top 21 shortlisted participants also each received a Timex® Modern Originals Camper, a watch inspired by a men’s military watch first launched by Timex in 1918. This new version is oversized and has convenient features like an INDIGLO® night-light and an interchangeable, slip-through nylon strap. It has the ever-reliable date feature and 24-hour markings and is water resistant up to 50 meters.

The TIMEX Originals

Those wanting to have their very own vintage original TIMEX like the promo’s winners need not fret. The celebrated brand’s latest time-trackers, with sheer look and feel inspired by the glory years, are now available in stores, ready for picking. Not only are they up-to-the-minute to complement new-age fashion but they’re also equipped with unique design details that take us back to the magnificent eras they were “born” in.

First are the TIMEX Originals with the 1900's Inspiration. With a creatively crafted dial inspired by the original Yankee pocket watch from 1896, this watch maintains a clean, sharp, minimalist impression. To give that bit of classic ruggedness, both the stainless steel case and the vintage construction expansion band and genuine leather strap have time-worn finish. Watches from this bunch are enhanced with the date feature, INDIGLO Night-Light and mother of pearl dial options. Plus they’re also water resistant up to 50 meters.

Next are the timepieces with the 1940's Inspiration. A certified stunner, this watch takes the simplicity of 1940s timekeeping and introduces 21st century colors and materials. Having the same basic features as the ones from the previous set, one can choose from either a nylon canvas strap or a vintage construction expansion bracelet.

In the 1970s, Timex introduced ultra-precise quartz technology to the mass market at an affordable price. The custom of the time was to call out “Quartz” on the dial, letting consumers know what they were getting, just as you see with 1970's Quartz watch, its contemporary rendition. Coming in either a classic stainless steel expansion band or genuine leather strap, these fashionable pieces are perfect for work time down to the happy hours.

And last but not the least are the most iconic wristwatch, the Timex Modern Originals Easy Reader. This time, this classic time-teller gets a makeover in a bigger size and new colors, including fashion-forward shadow models in black and white. The eye-catching oversized stainless steel or brass case matched with genuine leather strap fits just right for any occasion day or night and simply projects its wearer’s unfussy yet impeccable taste.

Go to www.timexstylewatch.com/originals/for more information. TIMEX Originals are distributed by Newtrends International Corporation. It’s not original unless it’s a TIMEX.

     MAY 25, 2011  "SM MAKATI"