Vintage 1960's men's KELTON gold plated manual wind wristwatch, running well!

I know, it looks like a Timex, but this Kenton watch from the 1960's was made in France in a partnership with Timex.

The gold plated case measures 34.4 mm / 1.35" in diameter, excluding crown and lugs, and surrounds a simple gold dial that contrasts sharply against black hour, minute, and sweep second hands, black Arabic numbers, and crisp outer-chapter, all under a clear crystal.

The manual wind movement sets and winds as it should, is running strong and keeping very good time.

It has a snap-down back and has been fitted with a new, 18 mm, genuine leather stitched and embossed black 2-piece strap with stainless buckle which will fit up to an 8" wrist.

STOCK CODE: K-5

ABOUT KELTON WATCH COMPANY:

Kelton is a French watch brand created in 1955 through a partnership between TIMEX and Stéphane Boullier, becoming famous in the 1960s–70s for its affordable watches, mass distribution, and major cultural impact in France.

It grew rapidly with factories in Besançon, sold millions of watches, declined in the 1990s, and was revived in 2016
.

Founded in 1955 after Stéphane Boullier (of VIXA) met TIMEX executives and proposed a European venture. The name “Kelton” came from the Elton Hotel where Boullier stayed.

First assembly workshop opened at 14 rue des Villas, Besançon, using parts mainly from TIMEX’s Scottish factories.

Kelton pioneered selling watches outside jewelry stores—through tobacco shops, newsstands, and stationery stores—thanks to distribution expertise from a former BIC sales director.

Golden Years (1962–1975)

TIMEX opened the first full Kelton factory in Besançon in 1962; annual sales reached 136,000 watches that year.

By 1972, production neared 4 million watches annually, with 3,000 employees by 1970.

Kelton became a cultural icon with its famous slogan “You change, change your Kelton.”

Celebrity collaborations included Sylvie Vartan (1969) and F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi (1975).

Later Developments and Decline (1975–1993)

Kelton expanded into electric and quartz models, including the Kelton Electric and colorful Calypso lines.

Due to market changes and Timex’s global consolidation, Kelton was discontinued in 1993.

Revival (2016–Present)

Revived in 2016 by AS Conseil with retro-inspired collections assembled in France.

Recent milestones include collaborations with the French Football Federation (2018), a brand refresh in 2021, and limited-edition diving watches in 2023.

Summary

Kelton’s history spans affordable innovation, mass-market success, cultural influence, decline, and modern revival—making it a distinctive chapter in French watchmaking heritage.


We are Stonehenge Watch Company and have been selling vintage and new watches on the internet for over 19 years with hundreds of happy, satisfied, often repeat, customers with over 5,000 positive reviews

We offer free ground advantage domestic shipping on our watches and ship First Class International Mail, where available, for a flat fee of $22.00 to assure prompt, safe, and secure shipping to our customers.

Please note: We offer our products on multiple sites and do not remove them until payment has posted and very rarely multiple customers will "buy" an item but it will be sold to the first payment received.

We do our best to accurately describe items on our site and, if for any reason, you are disappointed in your purchase we will provide a swift and satisfactory resolution to your concern.