90's Timex Humvee....Life with a 75 cent watch.

This is not really new but I just wanted to add some info on this watch and show the evolution of mine. A few months ago I stopped at a rummage sale and picked up this Timex Humvee for 75 cents. Seemed like a good deal for the price.




It was a little dirty and worn but it had the original band. Here are some shots of it when i got it home. The last one is with a Pre-Daytona Rolex that sold for over $20K, so I wanted to show the difference between a $0.75 watch and a $20K watch.  



















First I changed the battery hoping it would come to life. These take a lithium CR2016. The new battery worked great and the watch came back to life!! I figured out how to set it (more on that later) and next it needed a good cleaning!





When I scrubbed the band with a brush to clean out the funk, the band basically disintegrated in my hands. Crap!! The rest of the watch cleaned up OK, so I threw it on this velcro band that I never had a use for. It looked OK but didn't really fit.









Next I tried a Deep Blue rubber strap I had lying around that I wasn't using, I had to notch the ends (basically ruining the strap to use on anything else) it looked good but it was thin didn't really capture the 'tough guy' image of the watch....











Then I found a perfect strap that had been sitting in my strap box the whole time. This yellow piped rubberized sail cloth strap was just the right size and looked perfect. I also had to notch it, but no big deal...this is going to be the one I stick with.











This watch has a couple of neat features, of course it had Indiglo....the patented Timex back lighting......but if you hold the Indiglo button for approx. 3 sec, it beeps, and the 'Night Mode' activates. Each press of the Indiglo button now results in the light staying on for about 4 sec. The light will also comes on with any button being pressed. Night mode is deactivated by holding the Indiglo button until it beeps again.





The next neat feature is the screen itself, it can be green, gray or amber depending on the angle and the ambient light. (or blue with Indiglo on) This was to increase visibility in all lighting conditions. Here is green and gray I will try to get good shots of amber later.







In addition to the regular time mode, the watch has modes for chronograph, 2 alarms, countdown timer and dual time zone........so the watch is not a bad everyday piece.

Once you get past the 'Transformers' or 'Lego' look of the watch, the case is rated for 200MWR! It also has these weird articulated end lugs that use  a long screw to connect the band. I think this actually makes the watch MORE comfortable to wear, and safer on the wrist than spring bars.

A feature that doesn't work so well is the printing for button function is on the side of the case. This makes it hard to read while wearing, but once you get the location memorized this is not really an issue.

I will be adding more info and pictures to this write-up as time permits.

1995 Timex Humvee Instruction Manual courtesy of Timex Customer Service.....3 jpgs below are the whole thing, clicking will take you to the gallery and then you can click to get full sized image.

https://xtrememeantime.forumotion.com/gallery/Personal-album-of-sixtysix/Timex-Humvee-manual-1995-001-pic_19.htm

https://xtrememeantime.forumotion.com/gallery/Personal-album-of-sixtysix/Timex-Humvee-manual-1995-002-pic_20.htm

https://xtrememeantime.forumotion.com/gallery/Personal-album-of-sixtysix/Timex-Humvee-manual-1995-003-pic_21.htm

Gary, holy cow !!! Fantastic stuff ! Has there ever been a cooler find for the price? Unbelievable !

Guess this is a great example of Timex's old saying: It takes a licking, but keeps on ticking here ! In fact
I think this one actually looks better now then it did originally. The way you cleaned it up, got it going,
and added this strap which is perfect for it by the way is outstanding. Not that the strap that originally
came with it wasn't awesome, but it seems like it was almost meant to disintegrate, and allow you to
give it a new feel, and lease on life.

What a terrific story behind this, as well as job Gary. Shows us all just how cool this hobby can be, and
how cool any, and every watch can be. It's amazing really. Thank you !

Thanks also for the info about this Timex. Actually didn't know about it, but it definitely has that tough guy
way about it, and looks like it could even intimidate a G-Shock. The color changing screen sounds, and looks
incredible too. ..Yowza, neat stuff once again sir. Looking forward to more !  

Original ad from 1997-1998.....

I added the setting instructions for this watch above...click on link and then click picture to get full size.

sixtysix wrote:

I added the setting instructions for this watch above...click on link and then click picture to get full size.

Whoa Gary, how'd you do that? Very nice of you ! ..Not only is it neat to actually see the instructions
for the watch like this, but now anyone who might have this watch will be able to find out what they might
want, or need to.

Cool stuff sir. Thanks so much !

Found some more ads from about 2000-2001

https://xtrememeantime.forumotion.com/gallery/Personal-album-of-sixtysix/timex-humvee-watch-snowboarder-small-19184-pic_25.htm

https://xtrememeantime.forumotion.com/gallery/Personal-album-of-sixtysix/timex-humvee-watch-rollerblader-small-71204-pic_23.htm

https://xtrememeantime.forumotion.com/gallery/Personal-album-of-sixtysix/timex-humvee-watch-biker-small-10983-pic_22.htm

Oh neat Gary, are those great or what?! Very funny too !

Timex really put a lot of thought into not only the watches, but also the ads evidently. It's so interesting,
and also cool getting to see all of this like this. Can't get enough actually. ..Thanks once again !

AtomicTom wrote:

Oh neat Gary, are those great or what?! Very funny too !

Timex really put a lot of thought into not only the watches, but also the ads evidently. It's so interesting,
and also cool getting to see all of this like this. Can't get enough actually. ..Thanks once again !

Yes Tom, all this fun for only $0.75!! (OK the strap was a few bucks). I just saw one on eBay in England....for $156.00 (99 pounds)!!

sixtysix wrote:

AtomicTom wrote:

Oh neat Gary, are those great or what?! Very funny too !

Timex really put a lot of thought into not only the watches, but also the ads evidently. It's so interesting,
and also cool getting to see all of this like this. Can't get enough actually. ..Thanks once again !

Yes Tom, all this fun for only $.075!! (OK the strap was a few bucks). I just saw one on eBay in England....for $156.00 (99 pounds)!!

Amazing honestly ! Even with the strap Gary !

Hearing about what they are going for too in England has to make you feel really great about all of this,
and like you almost got away with something. So nice sir !

And then there were two!! Picked up a silver one on eBay in basically mint condition. I outfitted it with the same strap only with white stitch. This one is a bit newer, with the larger time and no lines on the screen. It's awesome!!

Hey, this IS awesome Gary !!! Yowzers ! You know what they say, two watches of the same
model are better than one. ..Yup, just made that up, but it's true ! Now you have two watches
to really enjoy here sir, and it's really neat seeing the similarities, and differences. That silver finish
all by itself changes things a lot ! You end up noticing more detail within the case, and maybe even
get more of an industrial feel like it is actually made of steel.

Cool how this newer version had no lines on the screen too, along with the bigger numbers
like this also Gary !!! ..Yet another excellent edition to the collection here ! HUGE congrats
to you sir !!! Looks great next to the all black model by the way ! ..Keep on enjoying !

AtomicTom wrote:

You know what they say, two watches of the same
model are better than one. ..Yup, just made that up, but it's true !

Thanks Tom, that's some funny stuff right there ....There is one more color...desert tan. But they seem to be very high priced when you find one. Might as well get that one too. Not sure why I've taken to these HumVees, I just like wearing them (usually at work) they are super comfortable with the wide strap.

sixtysix wrote:

AtomicTom wrote:

You know what they say, two watches of the same
model are better than one. ..Yup, just made that up, but it's true !

Thanks Tom, that's some funny stuff right there ....There is one more color...desert tan. But they seem to be very high priced when you find one. Might as well get that one too. Not sure why I've taken to these HumVees, I just like wearing them (usually at work) they are super comfortable with the wide strap.

Hey don't mention it Gary !  ..Yes, definitely need to make it a hat trick with the tan now.

Think it's great how you have gotten into these like this. Like you said they're evidently very comfortable, and are also
something very cool, and unique that you honestly aren't going to find on everyone's wrist either.

Congratulations once again here !!!

The trifecta is now complete! The tan model has finally been acquired . I went with a leather band on this one as it was the correct color and had a black buckle already.

Oh neat Gary !!! I knew it was only a matter of time !

You now what Gary?! ..This might be the sleeper hit among the three. I mean the silver, along with
black models really grab your attention from the get-go. Then all of the sudden your new tan one
comes in, and steals the show imho. The color is just very different, and together with your leather
strap makes for one especially eye-catching combo sir. ..In a way, it's more futuristic, and industrial
looking. Maybe even classy, but definitely cool ! ..Huge congratulations on finding, and adding this
one to the family Gary ! Keep enjoying !

I have the same watch... tan one but got it new when I was deployed to Iraq in 2004. I don't have the original box or any of that--it's been over 19 years so I'm lucky I still have the watch itself. My only problem with it is the band/pins. I had no issue getting the battery swapped out but the band/pins is in bad shape. The pins are corroded so I need new ones. Any ideas where to get them? (Went to a couple watch shops but the odd pins are AWOL... just the usual ones most watches have, with the little release hinge.)

There is a style of those available at watch parts places online. Band is easy....just need to use an 18mm NATO (or other), looks kind of dorky because it seems small at first or notch out whatever style you like (like I did on mine).I have the Timex replacement Velcro they sold as replacements for a while, I would be willing to sell.

You need this style pin:

https://www.esslinger.com/watch-band-parts-imitation-gucci-style-lug-screw-refill/

They do sell a 28mm size, which is what mine measures at. too bad it's either silver or gold, you may have to magic marker it black or paint it. They are 3mm heads and stock is 4mm, so will have to measure the hole, bar is 1.3mm, so make sure it fits hole.

Notching tool:

https://www.esslinger.com/watch-strap-band-notching-pliers-3mm-gucci-style-band-tool-lug-cutter/

If you can't do measures, I can take mine apart and do it for you.

Also look for 'screw pin watch' on eBay and internet to see if something closer comes up.

BTW, Welcome to the world's smallest watch forum, only 3 full time members, so far!!

And let me join Gary in welcoming you aboard RKusaf, as well as of
course THANK YOU for everything !!! Honestly, you
are a superhero to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart
for all you do and have done for our country as well as the world.
We are beyond fortunate to have you here with us at the forum and
want to thank you just for joining up here !

It’s an honor to have you here with us.

By the way, what an amazingly awesome watch. I hope Gary’s great
info helped you out. Terrific insight, along with gesture !

Thank you both. Regarding the width measurement, you meant 18mm there about the lug screw replacement not 28mm right?

RKusaf wrote:

Thank you both. Regarding the width measurement, you meant 18mm there about the lug screw replacement not 28mm right?

Nope, those pins are measured to the OUTSIDE of lugs, not inside. The inside could be 2mm or 27mm and it would still take the same length pin. It's actually 28.3, but I am hoping the threads are able to make up the .3mm. You will need to locktite screw end in if you can't tighten to stop. 29 would be too long.

RKusaf wrote:

Thank you both. Regarding the width measurement, you meant 18mm there about the lug screw replacement not 28mm right?

Thank YOU RKusaf !

I bought pins on eBay before posting on this forum. They were size 18 mm so I was just going by the measurement image that was included by the seller with the photos of the pins on eBay. (I included it in this post for reference.) Basically, it measures the width between lugs but also includes overall width (outside lugs). I bought pins based on lug w
idth. Hopefully, that's what seller sold them as...