After reintroducing the Enigma last year to much acclaim, Timex has doubled down on arguably the most conversation-starting timepiece in its current catalog. At just around $200, the brand’s revival of the 1975 original was pretty darn faithful but their ongoing quest to breathe life into their archive has now garnered an arguably more modern spin. Instead of the signature blue dial and steel bracelet that was carried over from five decades ago, Timex has now brought both black and green into the fray, but with some more strap options this time around.
Building a Mystery
The original Enigma emerged during watchmaking’s most experimental era, when quartz technology freed designers from traditional constraints and space-age aesthetics ruled everything from architecture to rotary dial phones. In 1975, the timepiece represented Timex’s boldest swing at creating something mysterious: hands that appeared to float without connection to any visible mechanism.
Stemming from the late 19th century wall clocks, the idea of mystery watches really came about during the mid-20th century when pieces such as the Rotonde de Cartier Mysterieuse or the Zodiac Astrographic awed onlookers. While the former uses a complicated method of hiding its movement at the side of the dial, the latter is more of a magic trick with the movement rotating clear discs, on which the hands have been placed, creating more of an illusion.
While the Enigma doesn’t really nail the trick at quite the same level, it’s proof that sometimes form can actually trump concept. Just like the 1975 original, the latest iteration maintains that same visual trickery by sticking to simplicity. More of a practice of monochromatics, the ostensible illusion stems from matching the hand stems to the dial color perfectly, while a painted dot on the crystal’s underside all but conceals the central post. White-tipped hour and minute hands seem to glide independently across the dial, while a colored seconds hand dot completes the floating effect.
A Whole Different Vibe
All said, these new variants are merely color swaps, but notable color swaps to say the least. Timex kept the brushed and polished stainless steel construction from the original, while the 37mm case size is also maintained for these two new colorways. Both new variants — jet black and forest green — benefit from tonal matching that enhances the floating hand illusion. Over the dial is a domed acrylic crystal that allows light to bend a bit, contributing to the illusion at certain angles.
The aforementioned floating dot is yellow on the green dial version and light blue on the black dial, with the latter evoking some serious deep space imagery. The floating effect is at its best here. On the other hand, the green option might go backwards in terms of trickery but certainly has more field watch vibes despite the retro-futuristic pretense.
Around the dial, the minute tracks are slightly different colors than the dials themselves. For the green, you get a darker shade of the color, but the black dial features a gray minute track.
New Straps Too!
Timex wisely retained the day-date complication at 3 o’clock, ensuring the Enigma functions as more than just a gimmick. Inside, the watch is powered by a reliable quartz movement that helps keep prices low. Likewise, we were surprised last year to find out that these watches have a 50m water resistance, which is brought back this time as well.
Available in striped green or black to match the dials, the new fabric NATO strap options represent a significant departure from last year’s steel bracelet, dramatically altering the watch’s character to look more like a tool watch, but without losing any of its vintage charm. You can also get a leather strap for the black model, which will give it some more formality for certain occasions.
Spec Sheet
Model: Q Timex 1975 Enigma Black & Green
Case Size: 37mm
Case Thickness: 12.7mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Domed acrylic
Movement: Quartz
Water Resistance: 50m
Strap: Fabric NATO (both variants), leather option (black only)
Limited Edition?: No
Pricing & Availability
The Q Timex 1975 Enigma in black and green colorways is available now via Timex’s website for just $209 regardless of strap.
Recap
Timex Q Timex 1975 Enigma Black & Green
Building on last year’s reissue of the 1975 Enigma, Timex now made black and green dial versions of the floating hand watch, along with striped NATO straps to push these into field watch territory.
