Timex Revives 1980s Tennis Watch Style With the $199 END. x Timex 1981 Reissue Inspired
Timex has brought a fresh dose of retro charm to the US watch market with the launch of the END. x Timex 1981 Reissue Inspired. Priced at $199, the new model is a collaboration with menswear retailer END. and draws heavily from the clean, compact sports-watch designs of the early 1980s.
The watch arrives at a time when smaller case sizes are making a strong comeback. Instead of chasing oversized modern proportions, Timex has kept this reissue compact and easy to wear. The stainless steel case measures 35mm wide and 8.5mm thick, giving it a slim, vintage-inspired profile that should appeal to fans of classic everyday watches.
Its design blends polished and brushed stainless steel with a softly octagonal bezel, creating a look that feels sporty without being too flashy. The ice-blue sunray dial is one of the standout details, offering a bright, elegant finish that changes subtly in the light. A delicate globe etching adds character, while applied hour markers give the dial more depth than standard printed indexes.
A date window sits at the 3 o’clock position, keeping the layout practical and familiar. The watch is paired with a matching 16mm stainless steel bracelet and a fold-over clasp, staying true to its vintage sports-watch inspiration. On the caseback, Timex adds a custom END. engraving featuring a tiger design, giving the collaboration a more collectible feel.
Inside, the END. x Timex 1981 Reissue Inspired runs on a quartz movement powered by an SR920SW battery. The watch uses a mineral crystal rather than sapphire, which is expected at this price point. It also offers 50 meters of water resistance, making it suitable for daily wear, rain, hand washing, and light swimming, though it is not built for diving.
At $199, the watch sits in an accessible price range for buyers looking for a stylish retro Timex with a more refined finish. It is available in the US through Timex’s official sales channels.
The launch also reflects a wider trend in the watch world: smaller, more wearable designs are becoming popular again. Collectors and casual buyers alike are showing renewed interest in compact stainless steel watches with vintage styling, especially models that balance nostalgic looks with modern reliability.
Timex is not the only brand leaning into this direction. Casio is also expected to expand its ABL-100 Vintage lineup with two additional color options. The upcoming versions are said to include a navy dial model known as the ABL-100WE-2A and a grey dial model known as the ABL-100WE-7A. These updates are expected to be cosmetic, using the same hardware as the current ABL-100 models.
Pricing for the new Casio colorways has not been confirmed. However, the existing silver and gold ABL-100 watches launched in the US at $79.95 and $99.95, so the new versions are likely to remain in a similar affordable range.
For watch fans who appreciate compact cases, stainless steel bracelets, and retro styling, the END. x Timex 1981 Reissue Inspired offers a polished throwback to the 1980s with enough modern practicality for everyday use.
