Wow! This brings back memories! I was visiting Zappos the shopping portal and ran across these Timexwatches! I guess I’m dating my age here, but as a child I remember hearing the then-famous voice of John Cameron Swayze the spokesman for Timex watches. He was famous for saying “Timex, it takes a licking an keeps on ticking” after these watches performed some feat that dramatically displayed their strength and endurance.
According to Wikipedia, Swayze was born in Wichita, Kansas, the son of a wholesale drug salesman. He first sought to make his way as an actor, but his move to Broadway in 1929 was derailed by the scarcity of acting roles following Wall Street’s stock market crash! He went into reporting and by the 60’s he was famous enough to be a paid spokesman for the Timex watch company. The commercial that stands out is one where a Timex was strapped to a huge snow mobile… one with a cab for the occupants and powered by huge treads. At the end, the Timex is still working fine he reassures us.
Well at Zappos when you check out the Timex watches, I doubt if they tick anymore, and I didn’t hear John Cameron Swayze’s voice…but it sure brought back the memories of hearing about those rugged time keepig devices! Instead of paid spokesmen, you can read the actual reviews of real customers and see how THEY like the modern array of Timex watches! I do miss the snow mobile however! These days, paid spokesmen are out and social media “people proof” is the order of the day and these Times watches have plenty of that! Oh well, a nice trip down memory lane!
Kelli on April 14th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Chuck,
At the risk of dating myself as well, I remember those Timex commercials too. Fondly! I still wear a Timex. It doesn’t tick, and I don’t have to wind it, but I would strap it to a snowmobile any day.
Back in “The good ol’ days” we grew up listening to respected voices such as John Cameron Swayze and Rex Allen, Jr.
Too bad the commercials are no longer as good as the product.