Referee-Inspired Watch Designs

Timex and Nigel Cabourn Collaborate on a 1950s-Style Watch

The 1950s-style watch aesthetic is back thanks to American manufacturing company Timex. Recognizing a sway in the market in the direction of nostalgia, the company has been placing the onus on curating collections of retro timepiece designs.

Timex's latest offering — the 'Referee,' is the result of a collaboration between the watchmaker and British menswear designer Nigel Cabourn. Released just in time for the World Cups, the silhouette of the 1950s-style watch takes cues from British football in the mid-20th century. The inspiration is not only contained in the aesthetic of the timepiece. Timex and Nigel Cabourn also infuse the product with "a standout football function [as] three-quarters of the dial is color-blocked in red [to] signify [...] half of a match's playing time."

The 1950s-style watch is made out of stainless steel and it retails for about $176 USD.

Nostalgic Watch Aesthetic
Opportunities for retro-inspired designs that tap into consumer desires for nostalgia.
Functional Design Elements
Innovations to add practical and functional elements to watch designs, such as the color-blocking function in the Referee watch.
Collaborative Design Projects
Opportunities for collaborative design projects that tap into the expertise of multiple industries and create unique and innovative products.

Sectors Adopting This

Watchmaking Industry
Opportunities for watchmakers to tap into the growing demand for retro-inspired designs that offer functional and practical elements.
Fashion Industry
Opportunities for fashion designers to collaborate with watchmakers and offer unique and innovative watch designs that reflect current trends in the fashion industry.
Sports Industry
Opportunities for the sports industry to tap into the trend of nostalgic watch designs by collaborating with watchmakers and creating watches that incorporate functional features like the Referee watch's color-blocking function.
SCORE
2.1 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 24%
Activity 29%
Freshness 9%