If you’ve sensed a theme with my work throughout the last year or so here on Worn & Wound, you’re not alone. The 1980s and 90s Timex catalog has fully gotten a hold of my attention for the last year or so, with pieces from that era finding their way into my watch boxes and causing a seismic shift in my collecting habits. Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: I’ll never stray away from my mechanical pieces and Seiko divers. However, the fun and quirky nature of Timex during the latter half of the 20th century is an era I will now hold forever near and dear to my heart. I added this Timex Hooks model to my collection only a few months ago after wanting one for several years. Though I’m not an incredibly passionate fisherman, there was always something about the watch’s design that piqued my interest. Go grab your fishing rod, get some nightcrawlers from the local gas station, and head out to your nearest bubbling brook, as we take a look into what makes the Timex Hooks such an underrated watch in the brand’s catalog.
History and Design
According to advertisements and catalogs, the Timex Hooks model was released in 1990 alongside other outdoor watches designed at assisting in specialized outdoor activities like skiing, surfing, cross-training, mountain climbing, and more. Possessing many impressive and high-tech features for that era that we’ll dig into shortly, the Hooks retailed for $65 (the equivalent of roughly $161 in 2025). Simultaneously, Timex released the Blazer hiking model, retaining all the same features and aesthetics of the Hooks apart from a black colorway, silver inner ring near the bezel, and “Blazer” wording on the resin strap.
Aesthetically speaking, the Hooks is a delightful time capsule of 1990s ingenuity that still manages to be a tasteful piece on any collector’s wrist in 2025. The dark green case and band matched with light orange accents creates an understated yet still eye-catching colorway that can blend in with most outfits the Hooks is paired with. The busy dial with readouts galore is still manageable and not too overwhelming like other watches that pack even less features (I’m looking at you, Citizen Nighthawk). The Hooks measures in at 41.5mm in diameter with a 10mm thickness, with the only out-of-the-ordinary dimension being the rather massive 25mm lug width. As I’m sure you’ve already seen in the included pictures thus far, the lugs on the Hooks are atypical from ones seen on many other watches. This is achieved by the use of hinged lugs that are secured to the case and extend out to allow the heavily tapered 25mm strap to be secured. The Hooks and its relatively conservative dimensions offer quite a lot of functionality for such a small profile. Speaking of that functionality, let’s dig into its many features, shall we?
The Timex Hooks comprises of––I have to take a big breath before I list all these––a rotating high tide indicator bezel, liquid and air thermometer, built-in compass in the resin strap, chronograph with lap/split, countdown timer, alarm, hourly chime, and backlight. All of the functions on my example seem to work quite well despite being in use for over 35 years. The only aspect to note regarding my personal piece is the compass placed inside the band. A majority of the other examples I’ve seen in advertisements, catalogs, and hobbyist’s collections sport compasses with a green north arrow and the word “Japan” written on the inner disc, meaning mine might have been replaced with an aftermarket compass at some point in its life. Incredible to think that there used to be a replacement parts market for watch accessories like this back in the day, isn’t it?
Buying Guide and Pricing
Interested in picking one up yourself? The Timex Hooks can be a relatively difficult watch to come by on online auction websites, but it never hurts to put notifications on for a saved search. When they are posted, you can expect to pay around $100-$125 for a stellar example and less than $75 for one with a bit more wear and tear. I suggest always asking the seller if all the functions have been tested since there are so many packed into the Hooks. Also pay close attention to the screen to verify that the digital readout has solid contrast and is not washed or dim, as this could sometimes mean the battery needs to be replaced or, much worse, that there’s any underlying issue with the LCD display itself. Lastly, because of its uncommon 25mm lug width, I would aim for picking one up with the original tapered band rather than opting for an aftermarket strap. Not only does the original complete the look very well, but the compass is a huge selling point because of the additional functionality it offers.
Final Thoughts
The Timex Hooks is a watch I will forever be surprised has slipped through the cracks of many collectors’ attention. Although it may be a tough watch to hunt down on the used market, I can assure you it’s a venture worth attempting. The proportions, the functionality, and the design are all excellently executed, and the scarceness of it is all the more reason to at least put the Hooks on your radar. Whether you’re an avid fisherman looking to add another tool to your tacklebox, or a wristwatch collector looking for yet another conversation piece for your collection, the Timex Hooks should be in the running to become your next companion. While I won’t guarantee you’ll be catching a trophy bass because of it, you’ll at least look good catching a few minnows along the way.
Tommy Demauro
2025-11-27 17:00:00