Timex Revives Its First-Ever LCD Watch After 50 Years
▼ Summary
– The Timex SSQ Digital Reissue revives the 1975 SSQ watch, which was the first to feature a low-power, always-on LCD display.
– This reissue includes modern electronics but maintains the minimal functionality of the original model.
– Updates to the watch include a recycled stainless-steel case, a brushed stainless-steel bracelet, and a navy blue acrylic bezel.
– It replaces the original’s single crown dial with pusher buttons on either side for easier time setting and is water resistant to 50 meters.
– The watch is priced at $159 on Timex’s US site, where it is sold out, and preorders in Japan start on October 17th, 2025.
Fifty years after launching its pioneering LCD timepiece, Timex has brought back the groundbreaking SSQ watch in a modern reissue that honors its minimalist heritage. While the original model from 1975 helped establish digital watches as practical accessories by using low-power, always-on liquid crystal display technology, this new version blends nostalgic design with contemporary upgrades.
The revived SSQ Digital model does not replicate the 1970s original in every detail. Internally, it houses modern electronic components, yet it preserves the straightforward functionality that characterized its predecessor. Notable updates include a case crafted from recycled stainless steel, complemented by a matching brushed steel bracelet. A substantial navy blue acrylic bezel frames the LCD screen, reinforcing the watch’s vintage aesthetic. One of the most significant changes involves the control mechanism: the reissue replaces the single crown dial with two pusher buttons positioned on either sides of the case, simplifying the time-setting process. This model also offers water resistance down to 50 meters, though pressing the buttons underwater may compromise this feature.
Pricing and availability reflect regional variations. On the Timex Japan website, the watch is priced at 28,600 yen, approximately $187, with preorders scheduled to begin on October 17, 2025. Meanwhile, the U.S. version lists for $159 on the company’s American site but currently appears as sold out.
(Source: The Verge)
