Timex Group USA, Inc. -knowing as Timex Corporation, one of the oldest American watchmakers- is an American global watch manufacturing company founded in 1854 as the Waterbury Clock Company in Waterbury, Connecticut. By the 1850's, the America clock industry was producing millions of clocks and Connecticut's Naugatuck River Valley was the "Switzerland of America"; Waterbury Clock Company was one of the largest producers with domestic and export sales.

In 1887, the firm introduced the large Jumbo pocket watch and put on the market in New York City on a trial basis and this caught the attention of Robert H. Ingersoll. During the turn of the century, Waterbury Clock Company produced millions of pocket watches for the Robert H. Ingersoll & Bro. watch company. In 1896, Ingersoll introduced the Ingersoll Yankee, a dollar pocket watch supplied by Waterbury Clock Company.

In 1944, the company was reformed and became into United States Time Corporation. By 1950, the United States Time Corporation was convinced that "an inexpensive watch would be a market success if it was both accurate and durable." A simple and durable design was accomplished through a new hard alloy to produce longwearing bearings, replacing the expensive jewels traditionally used in a watch movement. These innovations introduced the Timex brand.

In 2008, the company was acquired by Timex Group B.V. and was renamed Timex Group USA.


KELTON

"The brand that revolutionized the watch market in the 1970's (...) It was the first to offer (very) accessible awards in the history of European watchmaking."

Kelton, born in 1955, was the result of the meeting between the American giant Timex and Stephane Boullier -a director of a prestigious watch brand that equipped pilots of the French Air Force.

Stephane Boullier, in one of his commercial operations in the USA, proposed to Timex to develop in Europe a market similar to that the America, which already sets apart from its competitors by affordable prices. Timex took the adventure and invested in the French market, then a new brand was born, Kelton.

The first workshop was set up and Kelton watches were assembling; the workshop operations were limited to the assembly watches with Timex parts manufactured in Scotland. Demand grew very fast and Kelton grew as a result. Thus, new more premises were built.

The prices of Kelton watches were so attractive that jewelers refused to sell them, what caused, Kelton deployed an unusual point of sale, Kelton watches were sold on tobacco offices, press houses and stationery, so the public finds watches in new places and success was confirmed.


KELTON
Wristwatch
By US TIME

This unique timepiece, is a vintage Kelton wristwatch dated from the 1960's. It is a manual wind watch, with a US Time (Timex) movement, sweep second movement.

It is 28.8mm round case, case back signed US TIME.

After 60 years, it still has a perfect two-tone (gold/black) dial with luminous Arabic Numerals, bold minute marks and luminous hands as well. The dial is also signed with the Kelton name on.

This watch is coming with a vintage gray two-pieces leather strap.

It is a very attractive looking watch, it is in good condition, runs very well and it keeps great time!

Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.

Measures (mm):
Case Diameter 28.8
Case Lug to Lug 39
Case Thickness 12.7
Lug Width 16
Band Width 15

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men's watches typically measure between 29-36mm (some larger, some smaller) wide excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women's watches from the 1900s-1970s were also somewhat smaller than today’s offerings in many cases. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.

We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust light, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.

The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.
See all the photos, feel free to ask questions if you have any.

It will be carefully packed.

Check out my other items listed.
Thanks for looking!

WA-2067