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Is Happy Day! Watch or Accessory Review The spoils of my Orlando Mall Crawl


Ricky Lee
December 07, 2011 05:57PM
 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 17,866 (2012-03)

As revealed in the earlier post, it's a TX Watches by Timex Watch Co.. But which one? Smile Well, read on! Wink

First a word about my buying experience at The Time Factory. In a word, it was Grrrrrrrrrrrr8! The sales persons were friendly and helpful, and technically astute. I bought a bracelet model, and they installed an extra link for me quickly and competently. And the price was superlative Thumbs up! at roughly half of the best online price google shopping turned up. Hard to beat that!

OK, OK, I'll 'fess up. This here's the one what "followed me home"...

Stock photo

A Flyback Chronograph, model T3C197. That's a stock photo, obviously. Here are the specs according to TX themselves:

* 44mm solid 316L stainless steel case
* Screw down crown with TX logo
* Water resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters/328 feet)
* Etched case back
* Solid 316L stainless steel bracelet
* Premium TX clasp
* Premium sapphire crystal
* Sculpted dial
* Super LumiNova® hands
* TX proprietary high-hand chronograph movement
* Four independent stepping motors, each driving a specific function
* Four-hour fly-back chronograph (one-fifth of a second accuracy)
* Dual multifunction retrograde displays
* Second time zone
* 4-years battery life (based on normal usage)

But you want some real photos, huh? Can do!

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo

Most stock photos make the dial appear white or, as in the case of the one above, a very light cream. My photos here are, for a wonder, very accurate color-wise. It must be the Florida light. Laughing The dial is what I'd call a medium ivory hue.

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

The blue hand is the chrono seconds, and it sweeps at 5-beats-per-second. The top hand is running seconds and it steps in the normal quartz 1-beat-per-second. It's pretty cool to watch the two hands race each other around the dial. Smile

The chrono was running in the above photo, and the reading is 59 minutes 33 seconds. When the chrono is not running the top sub-dial displays a second time zone of your choice.

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

The screwdown crown is nicely finished and the thread engagement is smooth and positive. The chrono pushers operate smoothly and precisely, though they offer little in the way of tactile feedback (IOW no real 'click').

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

The case is a pleasing mix of polished and satin-brushed.

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

The machined deployant is a dual-pushbutton butterfly, quite well-finished, with a smooth positive action.

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

No fine adjustment, but the links are short enough that achieving a proper fit shouldn't be much of an issue. As provided the bracelet is sized for ~ 8-⅛ inches (20.6 cm), and fits me perfectly with one additional link installed. It's very comfortable, extremely supple, and has a "feel" that is, to me, quite reminiscent of a Jubilee bracelet.

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

The screwdown caseback is nicely finished...

So, can you tell that I like it? Smile Yup, I'm pretty stoked! WIS Honeymoon Is it perfect? No. I do have a few nitpicks.

First, the 20mm lugs seem a wee bit small for a watch of this size. 22mm would have been better perfect, I think. Or, at the very least, the bracelet should be a little thicker and heftier. It's not bad, ye ken, and could be easily remedied with a Watchadoo or a strap. Then, too, I do like my chrono pushers to have a bit of a click. Again, no deal-breaker, and this is a matter of personal taste, of course. Finally, while a nice feature, the second time zone is not exactly a paragon of readability.

Edit - more nitpicks: Slow date changeover. The date starts changing at 22:30, and is complete by midnight. Not a deal-breaker, and I do prefer the "early" slow changeover to a "late" one (IOW starting at midnight and complete at 01:30). Still, "instant" date changeover would be nice. Also, and this is not a criticism per se, though it is a bit disconcerting at first - it's pretty obvious that, when in setting mode, the crown isn't physically mechanically driving the hands. Rather, the crown is connected to a potentiometer (or some like sensor) and is passing electronic instructions to the hands. I've encountered this on several Casio models, and one Seiko. Again, not a disadvantage in and of itself, and it's actually pretty cool once you get used to it. (end edit)

But one thing's for sure..

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..it wears Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr8! WIS Honeymoon Thumbs up! Well worth the roughly $300 street price, and at the price I paid I reckon it's a sure 'nough Catch Of The Day. Wink WooHOO!

Thanks for your time, dear Constant Reader...

Cheers!

-Ricky
Messages In This Thread

Is Happy Day! Watch or Accessory Review The spoils of my Orlando Mall Crawl Image Attachments URL

 Ricky Lee 269 December 07, 2011 05:57PM

Re: Is Happy Day! Watch or Accessory Review The spoils of my Orlando Mall Crawl

That is a stunning watch! I want one!!!!!! DroolingEnvious
 Magnum 22 December 29, 2011 10:25PM

Great choice!! Very handsome Timex or TX (nt) (n/t)

 davec 29 December 08, 2011 08:23PM

Very handsome watch and solid looking bracelet. Congratulations.Thumbs up! (n/t)

 Paul J Costa 29 December 08, 2011 06:51AM

Update! Added more info on 2011-12-08 @ 06:35

See the body of the main post for addendum.
 Ricky Lee 37 December 08, 2011 06:41AM

A really great choice, Ricky! Cheers! Thumbs up! (n/t)

 IF 36 December 08, 2011 05:15AM

Great Looking watch there Ricky! I like the dial layout! Thumbs up! (n/t)

 Timemiser 28 December 07, 2011 11:16PM

Very unique and sharp watch, Ricky. I also live in Florida in the Tampa Bay area. We should all have a meet >

and greet .....and trade fest at your next visit.
 poywatch 43 December 07, 2011 11:13PM

Doh! Oops! The smart thing would've been to post a "Let's GTG" before leaving home, obviously...

Hindsight. It's 20/20. Wink
Quote
poywatch
I also live in Florida in the Tampa Bay area. We should all have a meet and greet .....and trade fest at your next visit.
Sounds like a plan! Thumbs up!
 Ricky Lee 29 December 08, 2011 06:55AM

Great choice, the bracelet is classy. First time I saw one of those was in Orlando!

About three years ago at the Barney's outlet, but they were a little too proud of it!
 itschris 39 December 07, 2011 10:25PM

Barney's used to be cool, back when they carried our glassware - then they stopped paying vendors Eek! (n/t)

 BobbyMike 27 December 08, 2011 11:33AM

Re: About three years ago at the Barney's outlet, but they were a little too proud of it!

I confess I had to google "Barney's".

They're sure pushing the Lady Gaga merchandise hard! Eek! Enough reason for me to pass right there. You might say I'm allergic to Lady Gaga... Wink
 Ricky Lee 27 December 07, 2011 10:42PM

You're saying she makes you gagag?Laughing (n/t)

 itschris 39 December 08, 2011 11:24AM

Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

In a word, yes. Innocent
 Ricky Lee 24 December 09, 2011 09:58AM

That's a real looker! Not sure I could read the dial, but it sure is pretty! Thumbs up! (n/t)

 JFK3531 35 December 07, 2011 10:20PM

Thanks Bro. Joe! Cool

It's really a lot easier to read than you'd think judging solely by the photos. After one day I feel perfectly at home with it. Thumbs up!
 Ricky Lee 29 December 07, 2011 10:37PM

Congratulations - it looks good and it was a great deal! Thumbs up! And a small TX question ...

... I am a little tempted by T3C296 but there is no way I would pay more than like 150$ for it - was that model also on sale there?
 Catalin 124 December 07, 2011 10:05PM

Re: ..was that model also on sale there?

It was indeed. And several other rose gold models, too. They're beautiful watches in their own way...
Quote
Catalin
..I am a little tempted by T3C296 but there is no way I would pay more than like 150$ for it..
Orlando's nice this time of year... Laughing
 Ricky Lee 35 December 07, 2011 10:34PM

Congrats, it looks very nice! Thumbs up!Thumbs up! (n/t)

 Need_Omega 41 December 07, 2011 09:06PM

Thank you! , I do appreciate it. BTW..

Quote
Need_Omega
"There is just one thing I can promise you about the outer-space program - your tax-dollar will go further." --Wernher von Braun
Have I ever mentioned how much I love that tagline? Smile

Freiherr von Braun was very much a personal hero of mine...
 Ricky Lee 28 December 07, 2011 09:48PM

Congrats Ricky Thumbs Up (n/t)

 Reto 25 December 07, 2011 09:05PM

Thanks Boss! Gif Attachments

Do you have a TX Watches in your collection?

If not, I'd highly recommend considering one! Thumbs up!Thumbs up! A true Poor Man's Luxury Watch, IMHO. Smile
 Ricky Lee 35 December 07, 2011 09:42PM

No TX ... yet (n/t)

 Reto 29 December 08, 2011 06:07AM

Youve got a winner there RIcky!!! Congratulations.!!!!

Love the color scheme. Reminds me of a Riedenscild I once saw....and fell in love with....cheers!!!! Thumbs up!
 dano0 50 December 07, 2011 09:02PM

Re: Love the color scheme.

Yeah, that's what sold me on this model vs. the other Flybacks. Photos don't do it justice, really. If I'd walked out of the shop without this watch it would have haunted me. Laughing Thanks for the kind words Bro. Dan!
 Ricky Lee 38 December 07, 2011 09:33PM

Thumbs Up Congrats Ricky! smile (n/t)

 Wen 25 December 07, 2011 09:02PM

Thank you! Bro. Wen. (n/t)

 Ricky Lee 33 December 07, 2011 09:38PM

Congrats, that looks like a winner!

Another interesting chrono with a unique movement, I like it! It does seem like you have to piece together the chrono time a bit, looking at both subdials. Still, a very cool way of keeping the dial nicely non-cluttered.
 Dre 35 December 07, 2011 08:56PM

Re: It does seem like you have to piece together the chrono time a bit, looking at both subdials.

Somewhat. But it's actually proved to be quite intuitive, for me.
Quote
Dre
Another interesting chrono with a unique movement, I like it!
Thank you!
Quote
Dre
Still, a very cool way of keeping the dial nicely non-cluttered.
Again, I'd say "somewhat". Smile

It's an odd dial layout in that, sometimes, it strikes me as being quite busy. Other times it seems clean as a whistle. I am confused

No argument on the "unique" part! Laughing
 Ricky Lee 36 December 07, 2011 09:27PM

A great looking Timex, Ricky. Congratulations.Thumbs up! (n/t)

 Mark C. 31 December 07, 2011 08:31PM

Thank you! Bro. Mark! Gif Attachments

But please don't call my TX Watches a Timex Watch Co.! I am angry!

Wink Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off
 Ricky Lee 37 December 07, 2011 08:53PM

I do like it, and the bracelet is nice....but >

those open end links kill me on a bracelet.
 greg honeycutt 33 December 07, 2011 08:22PM

Re: ..those open end links kill me on a bracelet.

Yeah, I know that a straight-end bracelet is not optimum for many folks. But I don't mind them whatsoever. Smile

And this watch is so nicely finished in the area betwixt the lugs that it seems a shame to hide it with fitted endlinks. Laughing
 Ricky Lee 32 December 07, 2011 08:48PM

A great choice, and welcome to Florida!

Sorry about the weather! 40 tonight in O-town?
 Les 33 December 07, 2011 08:00PM

That's what they're saying. Still, it was 20°F (-7°C) at home the morning we left.

And, up 'til this evening the weather's been great during our visit! Thumbs up!
Quote
Les
A great choice, and welcome to Florida!
Thanks mate!

And I must apologize, for I'd forgotten you were in Florida. Oops! I know Orlando's not exactly your neck o' the woods, but still we might have gotten together. We took a wee side-trip to Tampa on Monday, so I was practically next door. I am crying I did try to hook up with FloridaSam but, alas, it just wasn't in the cards.

Tomorrow's well and truly booked, and our plans are to leave in the wee hours on Friday morning. Maybe next time...
 Ricky Lee 30 December 07, 2011 08:45PM

Absolutely!

I'm always looking for an excuse to visit the Torneau shop, and I often meet my sister for lunch at PF Chang's at the Millenia Mall. (Amazingly, we don't have one in Sarasota)

Let me know next time you're in the hood!
 Les 29 December 07, 2011 09:28PM

Excellent catch! Love the dial and "beads of rice" bracelet! Thumbs Up Thumbs Up (n/t)

 StefG 33 December 07, 2011 07:42PM

Thanks Bro. Stef!

Yeah, "beads of rice", that's the term I was looking for. Blushing
 Ricky Lee 26 December 07, 2011 08:50PM

Update! TX Flyback Chronograph model T3C197 Update!

December 30, 2011 07:55PM

There seems to be a bit of affection for the TX Watches Flyback Chrono, and I felt guilty about blowin' y'all off in the rollcall this morning. Turned out Miss Pams Honey Do List wasn't too extensive.. So I snuck the camera gear out and shot some photos of the watch on the black G10 NATO. Laughing

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

I stress that this is a temporary measure, designed to make the watch more conducive to dual-wristing. (I wear only nylon straps on the right wrist.)

That being said, I'm pretty stoked with the combo! Thumbs up! The NATO gives the watch a sort of no-nonsense "businesslike" look, IMHO, and totally transforms the wearing experience.

One thing's for sure..

TX Flyback chronograph
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..it wears Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr8! on the NATO! WIS Honeymoon Laughing

Cheers!

-Ricky


"A watch should be worth looking at even when you already know the time" - vintage Omega ad

Messages In This Thread

Update! TX Flyback Chronograph model T3C197 Update! Gif Attachments Jpeg Attachments URL

 Ricky Lee 215 December 30, 2011 07:55PM

Since Cap'n Grammar is being shy today, I will address the misnaming of this watch by TX... Jpeg Attachments URL

 Ricky Lee 34 December 31, 2011 04:51PM
But I won't let him totally off the hook. Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off Here's our eMail thread in JPG format...

eMail from DJM

It should speak for itself. Long story short, "Flyback" is indeed a technical misnomer for these models. Oops!

Here are the links mentioned:

* Jeremy Dean's PMWF thread

* Catalin's most informative link

Cheers!

Blushing I need to work on coming out of my shell. laughing (n/t)

 DJM 27 December 31, 2011 06:12PM

Ah, but if shell it is..

..it's a candy coated shell! WIS Honeymoon

Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off
 Ricky Lee 30 January 01, 2012 09:12AM

laughing ROTFLMAO! laughing smile Blushing (n/t)

 DJM 15 January 02, 2012 12:18AM

Wow, I'm impressed with how good that looks! Thumbs Up (n/t)

 Nuvolari 24 December 31, 2011 12:06PM

It's a combination thats works well visually. (n/t)

 Paul J Costa 25 December 31, 2011 10:07AM

Elegant TX and "rough" basic nato, a marriage that works! Thumbs Up Really cool smile (n/t)

 Bock 34 December 31, 2011 07:55AM

Yeah, it is something of "a play against type", I guess. Smile

But it does indeed work for me! Laughing
Quote
Bock
..a marriage that works! Thumbs Up Really cool smile
Blushing Thank you!
 Ricky Lee 31 December 31, 2011 09:29AM

Cheers! Also, have a fun New Years evening and a grrrrrrrrr8 start of 2012, Ricky! Thumbs Up smile (n/t)

 Bock 25 December 31, 2011 09:47AM

Looks great, Ricky.Thumbs up! (n/t)

 Mark C. 25 December 31, 2011 07:38AM

Thumbs up!Smile (n/t)

 IF 25 December 31, 2011 02:44AM

Great pics Ricky & that nato looks good on it. (n/t)

 Timemiser 26 December 30, 2011 11:30PM

pretty cool, I think the nato is goldilocks for that....

but the dial kinda makes me want to tilt my head a little to the left when I look at it!!!!

Kudos to times for bringing us something original (seems to me anyway)
 Cleans Up 34 December 30, 2011 10:58PM

Re: ..but the dial kinda makes me want to tilt my head a little to the left when I look at it!!!! Gif Attachments

Laughin' like a hyena!

I had exactly that same reaction, at first. Smile

But you get over it pretty quick.. at least I did.
Quote
Cleans Up
Kudos to times for bringing us something original (seems to me anyway)
Thank you!
 Ricky Lee 31 December 31, 2011 09:26AM

Clapping! on the pix, Ricky! EXCELLENT watch. I must put one of the TX's on my "want" list>>>>

as they are outstanding watches. The TIMEX Factory Store is now offering the TX line at a decent price....$150.00 USD. Thanks for posting. Check out my newest TIMEX addition in my post below.
 EdH 35 December 30, 2011 10:30PM

Well. That's gonna be a tough choice! (n/t)

 Ricky Lee 47 December 31, 2011 07:29AM

Hey Ed, I think I saw some new retrograde chronos on Timex' site >>>

when I looked to see if they had your new one. Thanks for the answer above, by the way.
 DJM 42 December 30, 2011 10:32PM

They only have one model Retrograde on their website >>>>

but they have lots of analog chrono's. However, when you search on the model number of mine (T2N563) nothing is returned for the search. Thanks for the info.
 EdH 32 December 30, 2011 10:46PM

I think I saw more than one. Several versions of one with a compass and others without the compass. (n/t)

 DJM 35 December 31, 2011 02:14AM

Here's a link Ed. URL

[www.timex.com]

Look down the list on the left side. There are three categories of fly-backs, each with a few different versions.
 DJM 33 December 31, 2011 02:18AM

One problem, though. Jpeg Attachments

If you dig a bit deeper, nearly all those Flyback chronos are tagged as "out of stock". Frowning

A pity...

Stock photo

Stock photo

Stock photo

..as there are some Way Cool CooL ones! Thumbs up!
 Ricky Lee 34 December 31, 2011 08:20AM

Doh! I didn't look that far. Frown, Sad (n/t)

 DJM 24 December 31, 2011 10:32AM

Thanks, Dan! I saw the Flybacks....but not the model I have. Smile (n/t)

 EdH 32 December 31, 2011 07:28AM

It would appear that the T3C197 has been discontinued. Crazy! Loco!

It's not currently listed on the Official Web Site, in any case. I am confused

But that's OK! Makes mine more exclusive, right? Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

Cheers!

Edit - And did I mention that I prefer the T3C197 to any of the current "Flyback" models? Wink
 Ricky Lee 30 December 31, 2011 05:03PM

Looks good RL! Thumbs Up (n/t)

 DJM 24 December 30, 2011 09:08PM

Thumbs up! Nice dial and photos! (n/t)

 ajt36 26 December 30, 2011 08:12PM

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