Timex TW2Y24100 Waterbury Heritage Chronograph Black Dial Leather Band

Timex TW2Y24100: The $309 Racing Chronograph

The Timex TW2Y24100 Waterbury Heritage Chronograph is Timex reaching back to the 1970s golden age of motorsport watches and pulling it off at a price that makes you double-check the spec sheet. The two-tone case with its black tachymeter bezel and gold-tone pushers borrows design language from watches that cost ten to twenty times more. At 39mm, it sits in that increasingly rare sweet spot where a chronograph looks purposeful without overwhelming your wrist.

Racing DNA on a Budget

The design references are obvious and intentional. The black tachymeter bezel with its gold markings, the champagne sub-dials against the black dial, the perforated brown leather strap—this is 1970s pit lane style distilled into something you can actually afford. Timex calls it the Waterbury Heritage for a reason: the Waterbury Watch Company has been making watches in Connecticut since 1854, and the Heritage line draws from that history without being heavy-handed about it.

What You Get for the Money

Inside is a quartz chronograph movement—accurate and low-maintenance. The 39mm stainless steel case features vertical brushing on the sides and wears comfortably thanks to its moderate proportions. Anti-reflective mineral glass covers the dial, which helps with legibility in direct sunlight. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters, enough for everyday splashes but not suited for swimming. The perforated leather strap has quick-release spring bars, so swapping it out takes seconds, not tools.

Two-Tone Done Right

Two-tone watches can go wrong fast, but Timex kept this one restrained. The gold-tone bezel ring, crown, pushers, and buckle add warmth without overwhelming the stainless steel case. The champagne chronograph registers against the black dial create strong contrast that makes the sub-dials easy to read at a glance. It manages to look more expensive than it is without trying too hard.

The Bottom Line

If you want a racing-inspired chronograph that nods to the Daytonas and Autavias of the world without the five-figure price tag, this is one of the better options under $500. The 39mm case fits a wide range of wrists, the quartz movement means accuracy without fuss, and the design has genuine personality. It is not a mechanical watch, and it does not pretend to be one—but as an affordable tribute to an era of great watch design, it delivers.