In case you’ve learn any of my work, you’ll know I’ve all the time had a fascination for Eighties and 90s watch design. It’s a interval typically neglected inside the accumulating group, and thru my writing and analysis, I hope to deliver some much-needed consideration to it. Just a few months in the past, I wrote an article in regards to the Timex Skiathlom that appeared to curiosity a lot of our readers. One other enjoyable piece Timex produced throughout this identical period was the Triprix. Although not as flashy because the Skiathlom, a number of notable elements of its design set it aside out of your typical digital watch. It’s enjoyable, it’s mighty practical, and it’s as near proudly owning a Seiko Giugiaro for underneath $100 as you may get––what’s there to not love?
The Triprix’s Historical past and Design
In accordance with info gathered by varied boards, commercials, and web sites, the Triprix was launched within the late Eighties and continued manufacturing all through the early Nineties. The mannequin got here out throughout a interval the place Timex set their eyes on producing timepieces aimed toward sporting and leisure actions like snowboarding, browsing, fishing, crusing, and operating. The central thought was for these timepieces to function an array of features that may help the proprietor of their leisurely endeavors. In accordance with a 1990 catalog, all variants of the Triprix offered for $40, the equal of roughly $100 by in the present day’s requirements.
Shifting to its design total, probably the most noticeable facet is its slanted digital show. Paying homage to Seiko’s A828 Digital Speedmaster designed by acclaimed automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, this tilted display screen format is each visually fascinating and sensible. Applied to make fast glances on the watch hypothetically simpler and extra handy whereas driving, holding a baton, steering a jet ski, or just operating, using the slanted show permits the wearer to rotate their wrist lower than usually wanted. The Triprix’s split-segment LCD display screen itself is spectacular and appears to be prime quality with sharp characters and wealthy distinction. In addition to the display screen, the remainder of the dial/bezel incorporates the Triprix and Timex logos, button operate labels, and water resistance image with matching 50m depth score.
The tilted show not solely presents straightforward studying, but it surely provides loads of room to incorporate the sizable front-facing buttons. Each the pink and black buttons work to start out, cease, cut up, and reset the module’s chronograph performance. Their placement permits for simpler use of the chronograph when engaged in bodily actions, particularly when any kind of gloves are concerned. Different options embrace an alarm, countdown timer, 8-lap reminiscence/recall, and a quite dim backlight. With a case diameter of 36.5mm, thickness of 8.5mm, and 19mm lug width, its sizing will go well with virtually any wrist. It’s a quite easy watch operationally talking, however between its distinctive display screen format and slew of coloration choices, the Triprix presents its performance in model.
Variants and Shopping for Information
As I’ve talked about a pair occasions already, the Triprix got here in quite a lot of variants sporting an assortment of colours and bands. The mannequin highlighted right here incorporates a purple, pink, and blue coloration scheme with an identical polypropylene cloth strap. Different Triprix variants got here in mixtures incorporating these colours, crimson, inexperienced, and yellow, although the principle distinction got here by the use of the strap’s coloration, not the watch itself. In addition to the quirky tilted show, one other marketable facet of the Triprix was its Shooter Buckle, a trademarked closure system created by Timex. The buckle provided fast resizing capabilities and enhanced sturdiness when put by harsher endeavors. The Triprix was additionally provided with a resin two-piece band on only some variants, and Timex even produced a ladies’s/midsize mannequin with the identical design cues however in a a lot smaller package deal (seen under courtesy of Brennan Paul). In case you haven’t heard of Brennan and his unimaginable assortment, I extremely advocate trying out his Instagram and different social media pages devoted to researching and preserving this era of Timex and Casio historical past. He’s actually an unsung hero relating to this sphere of the watch accumulating group.
In case you’re fascinated with selecting up a Triprix of your personal, they are often quite troublesome to nail down. They’re often listed on on-line public sale web sites however solely not often underneath the Triprix title. There’s a gray space during which many watches (normally digitals) dwell and die on-line, and whereas there’s no particular title for this phenomenon, I wish to name it the “The Land of Oversimplified Titles and Merchandise Descriptions,” or TLOTID for brief. Websites like eBay, Mercari, and Etsy’s search features usually make use of your actual wording when looking for gadgets and may have a tough time finding listings in the event that they comprise normal, non-specific titles and knowledge. If a Triprix is listed as “Timex Watch,” it might be virtually hidden from view with out inputting a primary, extra simplified search. My predominant suggestion could be to save lots of each the “Timex Watch” and “Triprix” searches to widen your view and permit for the occasional TLOTID piece to floor. Usually listed for underneath $100, the hunt is unquestionably price it in the long run. Be sure to search for examples with absolutely functioning modules, as elements could be comparatively onerous to return by. Additionally guarantee the unique polypropylene cloth strap is included to finish the look––these fashions simply look so a lot better on these heavy-duty bands.
Last Ideas
I merely won’t ever get sufficient of the 80s and 90s catalog of manufacturers like Timex, Casio, and Seiko. What was completed throughout this period helped pioneer future watchmaking methods and options that many take with no consideration these days. Whereas the Triprix doesn’t provide any novel technological developments, it exists as a enjoyable and distinctive time capsule timepiece that simply matches with the retro developments of in the present day. Its subtly slanted show is each helpful and aesthetically pleasing, and its use of vivid colours helps to separate itself from different conservatively styled digital items.
The Triprix is a enjoyable and practical look ahead to a lot lower than the price of a Seiko Giugiaro however possesses simply the correct quantity of aptitude to separate itself from different items within the Timex catalog. Whereas I don’t advocate placing on that pair of spandex tights and leg heaters you will have in your closet or reenacting your finest David Hasselhoff seashore run accompanied by a Sony Walkman, I extremely advocate giving the Tripix and all its retro glory an opportunity in your assortment.
