Technology

Timex Ticks into the Metaverse with Bored Ape Yacht Club

TechnologyDec 05, 2022

Timex Ticks into the Metaverse with Bored Ape Yacht Club

The watch brand will create 500 custom timepieces for holders of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs.

20221205_1-Timex Bored Ape Watch.jpg
The Bored Ape Yacht Club is a collection of NFTs featuring cartoon apes generated by an algorithm. Timex is partnering with the brand on a limited-edition collection of one-of-a-kind watches, available only to Bored Ape NFT holders.
Middlebury, Conn.—Timex is entering the metaverse with its first collection of one-of-a-kind watches accompanied by an NFT.
 
An NFT, or a non-fungible token, is a financial security comprised of digital data stored on a blockchain.
 
The timepieces will be available to select members of the Bored Ape Yacht Club and Mutant Ape Yacht Club communities.
 
Created by Yuga Labs, the Bored Ape Yacht Club, often shortened to Bored Ape, is a collection of NFTs built on the Ethereum blockchain. 
 
Members own unique profile pictures of cartoon apes that are generated by an algorithm, choosing from more than 170 possible traits, including expressions and clothing. Owning the NFT also gets members access to an online community.
 
The price of a Bored Ape is 0.08 ETH, or $103 as of press time, when purchased directly. There are only 10,000 available.
 
Ownership of an NFT is able to be transferred to a new owner as NFTs are sold and traded. Bored Apes sold on a secondary marketplace can sell for much higher prices.
 
Bored Ape created an extension of the community via the Mutant Ape Yacht Club, a collection of NFTs that display a Bored Ape that has been mutated. There are 20,000 available. 
 
Like the NFT, each Timex watch will be unique, custom made in physical form and as a digital collectible.
 
20221205_2-Timex Bored Ape Watch.jpg
Only 500 of the watches and their matching NFTs will be made available to Bored Ape and Mutant Ape NFT owners.

Based on the Timex Waterbury Classic design, the watch will be personalized with the holder’s ape and customizable case, strap, and etchings options.
 
There will be 500 watches and matching NFTs available exclusively to Bored Ape and Mutant Ape NFT owners.
 
"Timex is entering Web3 [another name for the metaverse] by keeping creativity and community at the forefront," said Shari Fabiani, senior vice president of global marketing and creative services at Timex Group.
 
"In partnership with the Bored Ape Yacht Club community, we are redefining and pushing the boundaries of physical, virtual and now ‘phygital’ products."
 
Timex consulted long-standing Bored Ape community members—including Josh Ong, CryptoVonDoom, The Miami Ape, Logik, BaronVonHustle, and Zeneca—about creative direction, design, and Web3 utility,.
 
"As a part of the OG [original gangster] Bored Ape community, it's been dope to collaborate with the OGs of watchmaking," said CryptoVonDoom.
 
Community member Josh Ong said, “From customizing the digital collectible and unboxing the physical watch to flexing at ApeFest, these incredible timepieces will delight Ape holders and keep them guessing at surprises yet to come."
 
ApeFest is a community gathering of Bored Ape and Mutant Ape holders hosted by the Bored Ape Yacht Club team.
 
A Timex pre-sale event for community members was held Dec. 2 at an invite-only launch party during Art Basel in Miami. 
 
From Dec. 4-31, all Bored Ape and Mutant Ape NFT holders can buy a Timepiece Forge Pass NFT for 2 ETH ($2,566) to purchase the watch and verify its authenticity.
 
In mid-December, pass holders can go online to customize their one-of-a-kind watch, expected to arrive at the beginning of Q2 2023.
 
Timex is working with Daz3D, a leader in Web3 strategy, marketing, and full-stack development, to create the watches. The company also operates a 3D creation platform with millions of professional and recreational artists. 
 
Tiffany & Co. also entered the metaverse in August, launching a collection of pendants available exclusively to CryptoPunk NFT holders. Priced at more than $50,000, the limited-edition collection quickly sold out.  
 
Signet Jewelers brand Banter also stepped into the metaverse via a partnership with DressX, launching a jewelry collection that’s available in physical and digital form.
 
 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Screenshot of Taylor Swift's "Elizabeth Taylor" music video
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and Center

Iconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.

Neiman Marcus store in Fort Worth, Texas
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This Summer

The luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.

NouvelleBox logo
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer Ballroom

The NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.

GIA iD100®
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Buddha Mama Moon Locket
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To Dallas

The one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.

Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Pandora distribution facility Canada
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff Concerns

The new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.

Michelle Yeoh Mikimoto
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign

The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.

TopImageCrop.jpg
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

GIA President and CEO Pritesh Patel at GIA Taiwan campus
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in Taiwan

It is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.

DCA Second Spark Workforce Initiative Graphic
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce Initiative

The initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.

Michael Angelo
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales Representative

The wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.

Pandora and Foundrae medallion jewelry
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion Designs

Foundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.

John Jacob Astor IV's Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co., Battin & Co. pencil case
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to Auction

A Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.

Stock image of a Shell gas station
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in March

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.

Zach Bear and the Window Necklace Children’s Book from Zachary’s Jewelers
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s Book

The retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.

Accredited Gemologists Association Logo
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant Applications

Applications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.

National Jeweler columnist and Smart Age founder and CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading

These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Mejuri Puzzle Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ Collection

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

Ashley Longshore in Buddha Mama jewelry
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in Dallas

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.

Natural Diamond Council world diamond day
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'

The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.

Jillian Wolk, the new CEO of Tracr
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr

Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.

Tom Moses examining the “Motswedi” diamond
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA

Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.

Oscar Heyman Spring Catalog Aquamarine and Diamond Necklace and Platinum Opal, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond Bracelet
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring Catalog

The new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.

Diavik Diamond Mine winter aerial shot
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from Diavik

Production has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.

Tanishq Westborough Massachusetts store
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England Location

The store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.

Saks Fifth Avenue door sign
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 Stores

Two Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.

Jimmy West celebrating 40 years with Leading Jewelers Guild
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72

West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy