Timex

So here's the thing about Timex-it's one of those brands that basically everyone knows, but not everyone really appreciates. And that's kind of a shame, because there's way more going on here than just "that affordable watch brand your dad wore."

Founded in 1854 as the Waterbury Clock Company in Waterbury, Connecticut, Timex has been around for more than 170 years. That's not a typo. While other watch companies were busy making expensive timepieces for the wealthy, Timex was democratizing timekeeping-making watches that regular people could actually afford. By 1962, one out of every three watches sold in the United States was a Timex. Think about that market dominance for a second.

But the real genius move? The famous "Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking" campaign. They literally tortured watches on live TV-strapped them to outboard motors, threw them off cliffs, had dolphins wear them-just to prove these things were indestructible. It worked. People loved it.

Then there's the Indiglo story, which is honestly pretty incredible. Timex introduced the Indiglo night light during the Christmas shopping season in 1992. Indiglo made headlines as a result of the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing, in which an office worker wearing a Timex with an Indiglo night light used its light to guide a group of evacuees down 40 dark flights of stairs. This caused sales to immediately take off. Sometimes a product feature becomes a lifesaver-literally.

Today, Timex Group is a privately-held company headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut with multiple operating units and over 3,000 employees worldwide. As one of the largest watch makers in the world, Timex Group companies produce watches under a number of well-known brands, including Timex, Nautica, Guess, GC, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Ted Baker, Missoni, Furla, Adidas, Philipp Plein and Plein Sport. So yeah, they're not just making budget-friendly Weekenders anymore (though those are still great).

The watches themselves range from classic dress pieces to rugged outdoor models, digital chronographs to automatic movements. You can grab a solid Timex for under $50, or you can spend a few hundred on something with a Japanese automatic movement and sapphire crystal. The variety is actually pretty impressive.

And notice how Timex keeps collaborating with everyone from Peanuts to fashion brands? That's smart. They're staying relevant, keeping things fresh, appealing to collectors and casual wearers alike. The Q Timex reissues of vintage '70s designs have been particularly popular with watch enthusiasts who appreciate retro aesthetics without the vintage price tags.

The bottom line? Timex isn't trying to be Rolex, and that's exactly why it works. They're making honest, reliable, affordable watches that look good and actually last. In a world of smartwatches and disposable fashion, there's something refreshing about a company that's been doing the same thing well for over a century and a half.