Iron Maiden and Timex’s 1986 Tribute Watch Has Two Faces, and the Second One Glows Red

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Summary

  • Timex and Iron Maiden have released the 1986 Tribute, a 40mm black stainless steel watch available for preorder now
  • The watch reimagines Timex’s rare original 1986 Iron Maiden Fan Club watch, drawing from the visual world of the band’s sixth studio album Somewhere in Time to mark both Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary and the album’s 40th
  • Cyborg Eddie appears in blue on the dial under standard light, but activating the INDIGLO backlight shifts him into an otherworldly red glow, a design choice that directly mirrors the album’s themes of layered, non-linear time

Timex and Iron Maiden have collaborated on a unique watch that operates on two frequencies. The new 1986 Tribute watch, currently available for preorder, is inspired by a rare fan club watch from 1986 and the band’s sixth studio album, Somewhere in Time, known for its striking visual style. This 40mm black stainless steel watch has a special feature: it reveals a hidden design when exposed to darkness.

The core idea behind this release centers on the album itself. Originally launched in 1986 and now marking its 40th anniversary – coinciding with Iron Maiden’s 50th year as a band – Somewhere in Time envisioned a future where time isn’t a straight line, but rather a blend of the past, present, and potential futures. This concept was equally expressed through its imagery. The album cover, created by Derek Riggs, featured Cyborg Eddie in a vibrant, futuristic city filled with subtle details and hidden surprises – a design that encouraged careful observation. The watch is designed with the same principle in mind: the more closely you examine it, the more it reveals.

The watch face features Cyborg Eddie in blue against a dark background, with the Iron Maiden logo and “Somewhere in Timex” printed around the edge. It feels like a well-designed piece of band merchandise, but also a quality watch. However, when the INDIGLO backlight is turned on, the watch truly comes alive. Eddie glows an eerie red, turning the dial from a simple image into a striking visual that reflects the album’s themes of time and how we see it. It’s a clever and creative use of a simple technology.

As a huge Iron Maiden fan, I was really impressed with how well the watch is made. The 40mm black stainless steel case feels solid, and I loved discovering the Iron Maiden logo subtly engraved on the back – it’s a cool detail you notice when you really look at it. The rubber strap seems super durable, and it’s easy to switch out if you want a different look, which is great because I can see myself wearing this watch with everything. Honestly, the engineering just enhances the already awesome design – it doesn’t try to do too much, it just makes everything work perfectly.

The 1986 Tribute watch holds a special place in the history of both Iron Maiden and Timex. The original fan club watch it’s based on is incredibly rare, often appearing at auctions and highly sought after by collectors of music memorabilia and watches. Timex’s choice to recreate this piece shows their Co_Labs program isn’t just about licensing – it’s about creatively drawing inspiration from historical items. The final product is unique, working as both a respectful nod to the past, a collectible item, and a watch you can wear every day.

You can now preorder the Timex watch created to celebrate Iron Maiden’s 1986 tour. It features a 40mm face and an HNBR strap, and is priced at $249 USD directly from Timex.

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2026-05-26 09:56