The Demise of Timex Computer Corporation

I was one of the first people to learn that Timex was getting out of the personal computer retail market. A friend of mine, who was working there, called me to tell me the news just minutes after she received the word herself.

My first reaction was that it was hard to believe, although Timex had suffered some setbacks, it was looking like they might make it. Especially with all the good reviews of the TS 2068 and the new peripherals that were about to be marketed, e.g., the modem, the 80 column printer, the microdrive.

I remember initially feeling like a member of my immediate family had died. I personally have been involved with both Sinclair Research, Ltd. and Timex Computer Corporation since August of 1981. I had observed first hand the excitement and enthusiasm that the Sinclair and Timex computer products had generated from its owners and users, not to mention all of the more than 500 third parties that had developed products to support the TS computers.

In addition I had worked for Timex and experienced being laid off myself, I knew exactly what those 24 people were feeling, after being told to get their personal belongings, since they no longer worked there. Some people, like my former boss, had worked for Timex for 23 years, it is not easy to pick up the pieces and go on. To these people I wish them the best.

After a good night’s sleep, I began to realize that this did not represent the end, in fact after reading several accounts of this dismantling in various newspapers and talking with a variety of individuals, including Timex and Sinclair spokespersons I was feeling much more hopeful. Some of the reasons for this included:

1. Sinclair is still in business. We have an unusual situation in that Timex was the distributor for the computer only in North America and a few European countries. Sinclair Research is still marketing the ZX81 and the ZX Spectrum in the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.
2. Sinclair’s newest computer, the QL or the Quantum Leap has been very well received in the UK. Sinclair Research will be marketing it here in the US this fall along with their flat screen tv.
3. Mike Jacobi, the Marketing Director for Timex, stated that the marketing and/or manufacturing rights for the TS 2068 are up for negotiation, which means that either Sinclair could get the rights back for the TS 2068 or some third party could get the rights to the computer.

Presently, Sinclair Research denies any intention to market any computer but the QL, but I have seen this type of situation change before. Also, the opportunity for a third party to step in could mean that an existing company could come in and take over the marketing rights or a new company could be formed of individuals who had the right combination of capital and understanding of the TS community.

This could work to the benefit of the present owners and third party manufacturers/marketers. With the right company in charge, we could see even more cooperation in dissemination of information between these groups.

Only time will tell, in the meantime, we cannot think that this whole issue is over, this is not like Texas Instruments announcing that they are getting out of the personal computer market. There are a few more variables at play here.

What are we to do in the meantime? For one thing, I think that we have to unite. Particularly user groups, we need to form a tighter network of communication between our members as wel1 as between user groups across the country.

One concrete suggestion that I can give is for user group directors to poll their members either formally or informally to determine which users are still interested in contining with their Timex Sinclair computers. Then, if we could gather this data to disseminate it to the third parties and/or the any perspective investors for the Timex marketing rights, we would be able to document that there is a viable market out there!

That it is worth someone investing more money for product development and support for TS related software and hardware.

As for Timex’ plans for the future, they will continue to honor the warranties on their existing equipment, and they will be selling off their present inventory which includes TS 1300, TS 2068, limited supplies of their new modem, and existing software. The fate of their 80 column printer and their microdrive are right now on hold, with no plans to market either of the 1atter two products. Basically, anything that was produced prior to the announcement will be made avai1able, but no new product development in the computer area is in the wind for now. <I qualify my statement because I have seen things change too many times to consider anything associated with either Sinclair or Timex as final.)

I received many calls from TS owners, third parties, and the press, from all over the country and the UK, expressing concern about what the future will be for the owners of the Timex or Sinclair computers. My answer has been that we need to hang in there, not to give up, and to remember that the dust has not settled. Me have an opportunity to influence the future of the Timex Sinclair line, by showing that there is a strong enthusiastic market still out there!