Most Timex watches are made at a single factory in Cebu, the Philippines.
That plant has been running since 1979, and it is fully vertically integrated.
Additional production happens in China and India, while movements are frequently sourced from Japan.
Timex traces its roots to the Waterbury Clock Company in Connecticut.
Despite that American heritage, the brand’s ownership has shifted several times over the decades.
This article covers where Timex watches are actually built, who owns the company today, and how its history explains both.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Where Are Timex Watches Made?
Since 1979, Timex’s primary manufacturing hub has been a factory in Cebu, the Philippines.
According to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the Cebu plant employs more than 1,300 workers and generates over 62 million dollars in exports.
More than 80 percent of Timex watches sold globally are made, assembled, or shipped from this single site.
The Cebu factory handles dial and hand manufacturing, component production, and full assembly under one roof.
Who Owns Timex?
In 1941, Norwegian businessman Thomas Olsen purchased a majority stake in the Waterbury Clock Company.
The Olsen family controlled the company for decades afterward.
In 2020, Boston based investment firm Baupost Group took ownership of Timex Group, though the Olsen family reportedly retains a significant interest.
Timex is now held through Timex Group B.V., a Netherlands based holding company, per Wikipedia.
Where Did Timex Come From?
Timex traces its roots to the Waterbury Clock Company, founded in Connecticut.
The Olsen family took control of the company in 1941 and steered it for decades.
Timex sells watches today through its official site timex.com.
That long history is why many shoppers still assume Timex is an entirely American made brand.
Is Timex Made in the USA?
Timex does not manufacture the bulk of its watches in the United States.
Some specialized or limited collections are assembled domestically, but that is a small fraction of total output.
The mainstream Timex lineup, including everyday and fitness models, is made primarily in the Philippines.
Where Else Does Timex Manufacture Watches?
Alongside Cebu, Timex also manufactures in China and India.
Movements for many models are sourced from Japan.
This multi country approach lets Timex balance cost, capacity, and speed across its many product lines.
Timex vs Casio: Who Makes Each?
Casio, one of Timex’s closest competitors, manufactures primarily in Japan, China, and Thailand.
Casio uses its own owned and licensed facilities across those countries.
Timex leans more heavily on a single flagship plant in the Philippines rather than spreading production as widely.
Both brands source movements and components internationally, and neither positions itself as a fully domestic manufacturer.
What Is Next for Timex?
Timex’s ownership under Timex Group B.V. and Baupost Group appears stable heading into 2026.
The Cebu factory remains the backbone of production, with more than 80 percent of global output tied to that single site.
There is no indication of a shift toward domestic US manufacturing for the brand’s mainstream lines.
For more brand supply chain breakdowns like this one, see our guides on Seiko Watches and Citizen Watches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Timex Watches Are Made
Are Timex watches made in China?
Some Timex watches and components are produced in China. However, China is secondary to the Cebu, Philippines factory.
The Philippine plant accounts for more than 80 percent of global Timex output, with China supplementing capacity for certain models.
Is the Timex Ironman made in the Philippines?
Timex has not published a definitive breakdown confirming every Ironman model’s exact factory.
Given that more than 80 percent of global output passes through Cebu, it is likely that most Ironman models do as well.
Who owns Timex Group today?
Timex Group is held through Timex Group B.V., a Netherlands based holding company.
This followed the 2020 ownership change that brought in Baupost Group, though the Olsen family reportedly retains a significant interest.
Does Timex make any watches in the United States?
Timex assembles a small number of specialized collections in the United States.
Mainstream lines, however, are made primarily in the Philippines, with additional output from China and India.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.