Much of the United States has plunged into a veritable Polar Vortex, with thousands carrying out their potentially hazardous commutes to work and turning their heaters on high. Having just returned from shoveling 6 inches of snow off my driveway, I’ve become envious of some who have experienced higher than average snowfall, and are able to enjoy winter activities like sledding down the local hill or having snowball fights or hitting the slopes to ski or snowboard. With this, I felt there’s no better time to look back at the Timex Skiathlom (yes, not Skiathlon), one of the brand’s most ambitious models to date. A watch designed for skiers with all the bright and bold aesthetics of late 80s and early 90s design, it’s become a cult classic among collectors’ circles and a piece worthy of more attention. Here, I’ll provide some background on the Skiathlom’s history, detail what makes the watch such a unique piece of horology, and offer some tips for purchasing one if adding this bodacious retro oddity to your collection seems right up your alley.
Release, Design, and Specs
The Skiathlom trademark was registered by Timex on March 5th, 1986––and eventually cancelled on March 29th, 1993––while the earliest advertisement for the watch was published in 1987. The Skiathlom was often featured alongside other sporting-focused watches the company produced during this era such as the Victory, Hooks/Blazer, Tri-Prix, and Wave Rider models. These pieces were sold in sporting goods stores rather than the usual jewelry and department stores, typically packaged within large plastic or cardboard boxes containing manuals and additional bands. While the other models in this series are also quite desirable amongst collectors, the Skiathlom is by far the most sought after.
While its rarity undoubtedly contributes to its value on the market, I feel its design is what takes center stage. Though its colors aren’t fluorescent like the neon featured prominently on skiwear of the era, the combination of bright white, red, and blue is almost equally as striking. The case measures 45mm across and 36mm lug-to-lug, barring the fixed metal shackles that bump its vertical dimensions to a staggering 57mm when fully extended. It should be noted that these measurements are hard to rationalize when reading them on paper and are far more conservative when actually worn, especially the shackles which are hinged and rest on the wrist when fully secured. It’s surprisingly only 9mm thick and practically weightless when put on a standard strap. Its oblong hexagonal shape gives the watch a unique profile but also allows users to easily press the large circular buttons on its face with bulky winter gloves. The two-tier LCD display shows the time, date, and day of week when in its main timekeeping mode. Other functions on offer are a timer, chronograph, alarm, thermometer, and––albeit faint by today’s standards like most older digitals––backlight.
The elastic strap is such a treat. Its incredibly long length allows the owner to wear the watch atop their puffy skiing jacket to ensure easy access for timing purposes. I’m unable to make it small enough to wear without a jacket underneath unfortunately, but this may be a user error judging by photos posted online of other owners wearing theirs on this strap. Included in the original package for these was a rubber two-piece band and either this NATO-esque strap or a buckle strap, the latter being the rarest variant.
Market Availability and Buying Tips
The Skiathlom can be quite a tricky piece to nail down, but not as elusive as some of the other models within the sporting collection mentioned previously. Recently sold examples have gone for anywhere between $175-$300 depending on condition, the inclusion of an original band, and any packaging or manuals included. If you live in a warmer climate, skiing isn’t your thing, or you prefer water sports over winter sports, I suggest looking into the Wave Rider and K-28 Chill Factor models. Both marketed towards surfers, the watches sport an almost identical case shape but with different colorways and no thermometer. These are even more rare according to the research I conducted, but examples exist if you look hard or wait long enough.
If the larger elastic band is of interest, pay close attention to its condition to ensure there aren’t any stains or unremovable wear on the cloth. Besides the patriotic colorway seen here, there exists another variant of the Skiathlom with light blue and purple features that seemingly pops up more often. The good news is that the inner shackle width on both models is 24mm and will accept basic NATO straps in a pinch, though I should warn you that the shackles may shift more frequently without the extra, thicker material of the original strap.
Because of the Skiathlom’s rarity, parts are also hard to come by. Very few examples are listed for parts or repair, so it seems that these movements have thankfully withstood years of wear and tear rather well. As with all vintage digital watches, I always recommend paying close attention to the LCD screen to confirm there isn’t any significant damage or liquid that has begun seeping into the display. These models accept a traditional CR2016 battery and only require a small screwdriver to change, so taking a risk on an “untested” example might result in a good deal.
Conclusion
This watch will certainly not be for everyone. The vibrant color scheme will probably not work with an Armani suit or pair nicely with a candlelit dinner, and the relatively lofty price tag as a result of its rarity may deter some from hunting down an example of their own. If you can find one for the right price though––regardless of what type of watch collector you are or the collection you’ve cultivated––I cannot recommend getting a Skiathlom enough. There are times I feel bogged down in the conservative, classy styling of my dress watches and the utilitarian nature of my divers. Owning a few watches that exist solely as fun weekend pieces that occasionally see wrist time is perfectly justifiable and, in my opinion, essential in having a well-rounded collection. Though you won’t be catching me hitting the slopes anytime soon, I guarantee the gnarly Skiathlom will be on my wrist as I shovel the next totally radical six inches of snow arriving later today.