Armitron vs. Timex Review: Which One Is Better?

Choosing between an Armitron and a Timex is like deciding between two reliable old friends who have never let you down. You are likely here because you want a watch that tells time accurately, looks decent, and won’t require taking out a loan, but you can’t quite pin down which budget titan offers the better deal. I have spent years wearing both brands, subjecting them to daily abuse, office grind, and weekend adventures to see which one truly holds up. In this breakdown, I will guide you through the specific strengths and weaknesses of each to help you make the right choice.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Experience With Armitron

I remember picking up my first Armitron at a local department store simply because it looked like a sci-fi prop from the 1980s and cost less than a tank of gas. Over the years, I have come to view Armitron not just as the “cheaper option,” but as a brand that understands exactly what it is. I have worn their Griffy model to formal dinners as a conversation starter, and I have thrashed their digital sport watches while working in the yard.

What strikes me most about using Armitron is the lack of pretense.

When I strap one on, I am not trying to impress watch snobs; I am wearing a functional piece of gear that often has a surprising amount of charm.

The buttons on their digital models usually have a satisfying tactile click, distinct from the mushy feel you get with generic knock-offs.

I have found that their stainless steel models, while sometimes using folded links rather than solid ones, sit comfortably on the wrist without pulling hair—a minor detail that matters when you wear a watch for ten hours straight.

However, my time with Armitron hasn’t been entirely perfect.

I have noticed that on some of the analog models, the second hand doesn’t always line up perfectly with the markers, a common quirk in budget quartz watches that can drive perfectionists crazy. But considering I paid roughly the price of a large pizza for the watch, I generally let it slide. The brand feels like a fun, low-stakes entry into watch collecting that delivers honest value.

Read More: My Thoughts On Larsson & Jennings Watch

Pros Of Armitron

When looking at the advantages of Armitron, we have to look through the lens of value-per-dollar, where this brand is practically unbeaten.

• Unbeatable Price-to-Value Ratio: The most significant advantage of Armitron is simply how much watch you get for your money. I am constantly surprised that you can find a fully functional, water-resistant stainless steel watch for under forty dollars. Unlike many “fashion brands” that mark up cheap movements by 500%, Armitron keeps their margins tight. This means if you are on a strict budget or need a “beater” watch that you won’t cry over if it gets scratched, Armitron is often the superior choice. You can essentially build an entire collection of different styles—dress, sport, retro—for the price of one entry-level Swiss watch.
• distinctive Retro and Digital Designs: If you love the aesthetic of the late 70s and early 80s, Armitron is a goldmine. Their “Retro” collection, featuring models like the Griffy and the Rubik, offers a legitimate vintage look that feels authentic rather than forced.¹ Because Armitron was actually making LED and LCD watches during that era, they aren’t just copying a trend; they are reviving their own history. I find these designs often pop more than Timex’s standard digital offerings. The red LED displays and boxy steel cases get more compliments from non-watch people than many expensive automatic pieces I own.
• Reliable Japanese Quartz Movements: Despite the low cost, Armitron generally uses reliable Japanese quartz movements, often sourced from Miyota.² This is a massive “Pro” because it ensures longevity. A cheap watch is useless if it loses ten minutes a day, but in my experience, Armitron watches keep time just as well as watches costing five times as much. You are getting a workhorse engine inside a budget chassis. This reliability extends to battery life as well; I have had digital Armitrons run for years before needing a swap, which is convenient for anyone who wants a “set it and forget it” accessory.
• Durability in Sport Models: The resin-cased sport watches Armitron produces are built like tanks.³ While they may not have the brand cachet of a G-SHOCK, they offer very similar shock resistance and water resistance for a fraction of the price. I have taken these swimming and hiking without a single issue. The screens are legible, and the resin straps are generally sweat-resistant and easy to clean, making them excellent gym companions.

Cons Of Armitron

No watch brand at this price point is without its flaws, and Armitron has several that you need to be aware of before purchasing.

• Lower Quality Case Materials: While they look great from a distance, once you hold an Armitron in your hand alongside a higher-end piece, you can feel the cost-cutting. Many of their silver-tone watches are not solid stainless steel through and through; they are often plated brass or base metal alloy. Over time, and with heavy acidic sweat, this plating can wear off, revealing the copper-colored metal underneath. I have seen this happen on vintage models specifically. Additionally, the crystals used are often standard mineral glass or even acrylic on the cheaper models, which pick up scratches much faster than sapphire or hardened mineral glass.
• Lack of Lume Quality: If you need to read the time in the dark on their analog models, you might struggle. In my usage, the luminescent paint on Armitron hands and markers is often weak and fades quickly after exposure to light. Unlike Timex, which relies on its famous Indiglo technology, Armitron’s analog night-time visibility is mediocre at best. Unless you are buying a digital model with a backlight, do not expect to see the time clearly in a movie theater or a dark bedroom.
• Resale Value is Non-Existent: You should buy an Armitron because you want to wear it, not because you view it as an investment. The secondary market for these watches is very small. If you decide to sell one later, you will likely get pennies on the dollar, if you can sell it at all. They are essentially disposable commodities in the eyes of the wider watch market. This contrasts with some vintage Timex models which have actually gained a cult following and some value over the years.
• Bracelet Hair Pulling: This is a specific gripe I have with their metal link bracelets. The folded link construction used to save money and weight often results in a bracelet that acts like a hair epilator. It can nip and pinch the wrist hairs, which becomes annoying after a few hours of wear. While you can swap the strap on some models, many Armitrons use integrated bracelets or odd lug widths, making it difficult or impossible to put the watch on a more comfortable leather or NATO strap.

My Experience With Timex

Timex feels different. When I strap on a Timex Weekender or an Expedition, I feel a connection to American heritage, even if the manufacturing has long since moved overseas. My experience with Timex has been characterized by their legendary slogan: “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” I have dropped my Timex Expedition onto concrete floors, and I have accidentally banged my Weekender against doorframes more times than I can count. Every single time, I pick it up, and it is still running perfectly.

One thing that always stands out to me with Timex is the versatility. I can wear a Timex Marlin to a wedding and look incredibly sharp, or I can throw on a plastic Ironman for a 5K run. The user interface on their digital watches is intuitive, but the real magic for me has always been the Indiglo night-light. Pressing the crown in to light up the entire dial in a cool blue-green hue never gets old, and it is a feature I genuinely miss when I switch to more expensive luxury watches that lack it.

However, the “Timex tick” is real. In my quiet home office, I have had to put my Timex Weekender inside a drawer because the ticking sound was so loud it became distracting. It is a quirky characteristic of their lower-end quartz movements that some people find charming, but I have found it occasionally irritating when I am trying to focus in silence.

Pros Of Timex

Timex commands a slightly higher price than Armitron on average, but for that extra money, you get several distinct advantages that appeal to enthusiasts and casual wearers alike.

• Indiglo Night-Light Technology: This is arguably the single greatest feature Timex offers. Unlike standard lume which requires charging from a light source and fades over minutes, Indiglo is an electroluminescent panel behind the dial that lights up the entire face evenly with a push of the crown.⁴ I cannot overstate how useful this is. Whether you are checking the time in a dark tent while camping or just waking up in the middle of the night, Indiglo is superior to almost any other illumination method at this price point. It is a game-changer for usability.
• Rich Heritage and Brand Prestige: Wearing a Timex carries a different weight than wearing an Armitron. Timex has a history dating back to the Waterbury Clock Company in 1854.⁵ When you wear a Timex, you are wearing a brand that has been on the wrists of presidents, celebrities, and soldiers. This heritage has allowed Timex to release “reissue” models like the Q Timex and the Marlin which are genuinely respected by high-end watch collectors. You can walk into a room of watch enthusiasts wearing a mechanical Timex Marlin and receive a nod of respect, which is rare for a budget brand.
• Versatile Strap Swapping: Most Timex watches, especially the Weekender and Expedition lines, are designed with standard lug widths and are often sold on NATO slips-through straps.⁶ This makes customization incredibly easy. I love that I can own one Timex watch and five different $10 straps, essentially giving me a different watch for every outfit. The ability to change the look of the watch in ten seconds without tools is a massive benefit for fashion-conscious users.
• Availability of Mechanical Options: Unlike Armitron, which is almost exclusively quartz (battery-powered), Timex has aggressively re-entered the automatic and mechanical watch market. If you are interested in the engineering of watches—gears, springs, and rotors—Timex offers the most affordable entry point into reliable mechanical horology. The Marlin and certain Expedition North models allow you to experience the sweep of a mechanical second hand and the charm of winding a watch without spending luxury prices.

Cons Of Timex

Despite my affection for the brand, Timex has quirks and quality control issues that can be frustrating, especially if you are expecting perfection.

• The Loud Ticking Sound: I touched on this in my experience, but it deserves a spot as a major negative. The acoustic volume of standard Timex quartz three-handers is notorious. In a quiet room, exam hall, or bedside table, the tick-tick-tick can be genuinely audible from several feet away. For sound-sensitive individuals, this is a dealbreaker. It makes the watch feel somewhat “cheap” or toy-like compared to the silent operation of an Armitron or a higher-end piece. Note that this mostly applies to their cheaper quartz models, not their chronograph or mechanical lines.
• Hit-or-Miss Quality Control: While generally reliable, I have encountered alignment issues with Timex. It is not uncommon to buy a Timex chronograph where the hands do not reset perfectly to zero, or a quartz model where the second hand lands in between the markers rather than on them. While this doesn’t affect the timekeeping, it is visually annoying. Additionally, the chrome-plated brass cases used on the lower-end Weekenders can pit and corrode over several years of heavy use, unlike solid stainless steel.
• Water Resistance Limitations: While their Ironman digital series is great for water, many of their popular casual analog watches (like the Weekender) only have 30 meters of water resistance. In practical terms, this means they are splash-proof but should not be submerged. I have seen many people ruin a Weekender by forgetting to take it off before jumping in a pool. Compared to Armitron, which often throws 50m or 100m water resistance on even their cheap analog watches, Timex feels a bit more fragile regarding water exposure.
• Stiff Leather Straps: The “genuine leather” straps that come stock on many lower-tier Timex models feel very synthetic and stiff right out of the box. They take a long time to break in and often crack or peel after a few months of daily wear. I almost always factor in the cost of a replacement strap when I buy a Timex because the factory leather rarely meets my standards for comfort or longevity.

Also Read: Comparison Of Gevril and GV2

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

If you are looking for a watch that offers maximum durability and retro flair for the absolute lowest price, Armitron is your winner. It is the perfect choice for a work watch, a gym companion, or a fun vintage digital piece that you don’t have to worry about damaging.

However, if you value history, need the best night-light in the industry, or want to dip your toes into mechanical watches, Timex is the superior option. It offers a bridge between the budget world and the enthusiast collector world that Armitron simply cannot match.