Announcement

**Artemis12** · 09-01-21, 09:23

Quick stroll around the block to get the 6105-8110 fully charged

**sladew** · 09-01-21, 10:02

Trying on my, new to me, vintage Timex Electric (1969 ish?)

**Hammers** · 09-01-21, 21:23

Really worn, but when it does get an airing is does still make an impact IMO.

**Don** · 10-01-21, 00:57

Originally posted by sladew View Post

...

Originally posted by sladew View Post

...Hi Don,

I like it a lot. I'm fascinated by the 60's electrics. I'm amazed at how many different types and makers there were prior to the rise of quartz.

I received a late surprise Xmas gift of several vintage watches from my mother-in-law in the US. The MiL said the Timex dates to '69 and it is a rare model from "Great Britain" but that doesn't make a lot of sense to me given the Timex US focus at the time, so I need to do a bit of research and confirm the date and movement.

I don't know the model and I'm still trying to track down a decent list or catalogue of models. I think it is probably a Timex Type 40 movement, but I have to confirm. Timex have released a bunch of earlier Service Manuals so there's a bit to go on (and read through).

I closed the case back really firmly after I replaced the battery and I still have to work up the courage to prise it off (I don't want to scratch it up)...

Nothing like a MiL-issued watch

...Very thoughtful and kind of your mother-in-law

...I don’t have much experience or knowledge of electric watches, have yet to own one, but like you, I find their history fascinating. Though Electric movement technology eventually made way for Quartz, I feel their existence and success in the market played a large part in giving the watch industry the confidence to invest in making quartz a mainstream technology.

To consumers at the time, Electric primed their wallets for Quartz, making the latter a lot less alien-technology than it would have been had it not followed Electric.

As mentioned, I don’t know a lot about these, just the very basics, so here’s what I have to help start off your research. Yours is, I think, either a Timex Electric 76160-4071 or 76160-4072, and it is possible that this reference number used to appear on the dial, underneath the 6 o’clock hour index. Over time, the number may have been rubbed off or dissolved by moisture condensation (happens on many vintages). “76160” is the Catalog Number of the watch, indicating the case style. “40” is the movement, Model 40 (M40). 71 or 72 will have indicated the year of manufacture.

Here’s an image capture from the Timex Catalog 1961-71, showing the 76160-4071 at the bottom.

According to this catalog, the first 76160 was introduced in 1971. I have also found examples on the web—they seem to be rare, but not very rare—4072, dating to 1972. Regarding the origin, Great Britain is entirely possible, and I have come across later Timex Electric models with “Great Britain” at the 6 o’clock instead of the model reference. “Germany” is also seen—I’m not sure of the reason.

Here’s a vintage printed ad from 1971, showing both versions of the 761x0 (image source Arteepee's Watch Collection).

Re the case back, as far as I’m aware, you can open the battery hatch to replace the battery, but this watch is actually a front-loader. That is, the movement is accessed by removing the crystal, and what looks like a press-in case back is actually semi-permantly sealed from the factory with epoxy glue.

**Artemis12** · 10-01-21, 10:56

Started off the morning with my Nixon 48-20

but decided to go with my 1974 6105-8110 and a coffee of course

last day of the holidays for me, heading back to work will give me a bit of R&R time

**Kronos** · 10-01-21, 13:20

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**sladew** · 10-01-21, 20:14

Originally posted by Don View Post

Nothing like a MiL-issued watch

...Very thoughtful and kind of your mother-in-law

...I don’t have much experience or knowledge of electric watches, have yet to own one, but like you, I find their history fascinating. Though Electric movement technology eventually made way for Quartz, I feel their existence and success in the market played a large part in giving the watch industry the confidence to invest in making quartz a mainstream technology.

To consumers at the time, Electric primed their wallets for Quartz, making the latter a lot less alien-technology than it would have been had it not followed Electric.

As mentioned, I don’t know a lot about these, just the very basics, so here’s what I have to help start off your research. Yours is, I think, either a Timex Electric 76160-4071 or 76160-4072, and it is possible that this reference number used to appear on the dial, underneath the 6 o’clock hour index. Over time, the number may have been rubbed off or dissolved by moisture condensation (happens on many vintages). “76160” is the Catalog Number of the watch, indicating the case style. “40” is the movement, Model 40 (M40). 71 or 72 will have indicated the year of manufacture.

Here’s an image capture from the Timex Catalog 1961-71, showing the 76160-4071 at the bottom.

According to this catalog, the first 76160 was introduced in 1971. I have also found examples on the web—they seem to be rare, but not very rare—4072, dating to 1972. Regarding the origin, Great Britain is entirely possible, and I have come across later Timex Electric models with “Great Britain” at the 6 o’clock instead of the model reference. “Germany” is also seen—I’m not sure of the reason.

Here’s a vintage printed ad from 1971, showing both versions of the 761x0 (image source Arteepee's Watch Collection).

Re the case back, as far as I’m aware, you can open the battery hatch to replace the battery, but this watch is actually a front-loader. That is, the movement is accessed by removing the crystal, and what looks like a press-in case back is actually semi-permantly sealed from the factory with epoxy glue.

Don,

That is wealth of fantastic information! You have helped incredibly just by identifying that model number. Many, many thanks for that. I will be very careful about accessing the movement after your warning about the crystal. The watch seems to be running OK with the new battery, if a touch fast.

I got lost just by visiting Arteepee's Watch Collection site, and I ended up stumbling down a rabbit hole of "Mad Men" style late 60's ads for Timex Electrics. I have to share just a few...

Thanks Don. I will post some pics of the other surprises shortly including the "Jean Cardot" that it looks like could be a white/private labelled Soviet movement watch. V. cool.

Slade.

**lepo76** · 10-01-21, 20:52

Vintage Wyler Vetta

**sladew** · 11-01-21, 08:46

Seiko 5 this morning, looking all gloriously golden
I keep toying with the idea of replacing the original bracelet with a suitably distressed brown leather band.