General Information
Release Date: Summer 2025
Price Point: $60 MSRP (per watch)
Retailer: INFANTRY Web Site
Free Product Disclosure: Ben's World of Transformers offers its thanks to INFANTRY for providing a free watch for this review. The specific model provided was the INP-TF-03.
Official Information from INFANTRY Web Site:
Step into the world of Autobots and Decepticons with Infantry's latest TRANSFORMERS collaboration watch. This analog timepiece features a 24-hour time indication, luminous hands, and a robust chronograph function. Crafted for both style and durability, it captures the dynamic essence of the TRANSFORMERS universe. The intricate design and functionality make it perfect for both fans and collectors, ensuring you stay on top of your game. Gear up and transform your look with this exceptional timepiece from Infantry!
Please note that each blind box is randomly arranged. If you purchase multiple blind boxes, there is a possibility of duplication. Returns are accepted only in the case of quality issues.
Background
INFANTRY is a watch company founded in 2011 by Jason Wai. Wai was born in Hong Kong in 1985 and moved to Canada in 1998. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force cadet program in his teen years, an experience that would go on to inspire the designs of the watches made by INFANTRY.
In 2025, INFANTRY took two concepts and merged them into one: licensed watches and blind boxing. Their INFANTRY x Transformers (Prime) line of watches used G1 characters and designs to create a set of seven watches that were blind boxed. At $60 USD each with potential for duplication, that makes obtaining a complete set a task worthy of only the most hardcore collectors. Much to my surprise, there is not a pile of these on ebay at scalper prices, so for now getting these watches appears to be something you will have to do via INFANTRY itself.
Packaging:
The INFANTRY x Transformers watches are packaged in a small rectangular box. It features artwork of G1 Optimus Prime facing off against Megatron. The back of the box shows off six of the styles that are available in the assortment. The seventh is a "mystery design" that is represented on the side by a silhouette with a question mark. It is also indicated as "1/120" so may the odds be ever in your favor on lucking upon one. The background has a beautiful G1 inspired "grid" and the letters are mostly in white or embossed silver. A holofoil sticker holds the top flap closed, adding to a more premium feel to this collectible.
Inside the watch is wrapped around a foam holder. Interestingly, there is also an unexpected bonus in the box: a collector card! Specifically, the cards are part of the Vanch Card Transformers collection, something I confess I had no idea existed until I saw this card. These are not just cards to collect, they are part of a Collectible Card Game (CCG) that you can learn more about here. In my box I received Ultra Magnus in his Alt Mode. My guess would be that these cards are randomly packed with the watches. This was a fun and unexpected bonus!
Aesthetics
INFANTRY's watch designs are influenced by founder Jason Wai's time in the Royal Canadian Air Force cadet program, so many of their watches have elements of military aesthetics in them. Generally their watches are bold in appearance with thick case, a very prominent bezel and a medium to wide strap. With the Transformers watches, INFANTRY went for a more sleek appearance. The watch is still bold looking, but it is also very streamlined compared to some of their other watches. This makes for a happy medium where a wide range of fans can wear these watches comfortably.
The INP-TF-03 is an Autobot-centric model. The bezel has numbers set up for a Tachymeter in blue lettering against a brushed steel background. The interior features a circle with numbers and notches representing seconds. Then further inside you have a background featuring a partial illustration of Optimus Prime and an Autobot symbol. The Transformers logo is set towards the top. In a really fun touch, all the numbers around the dial are in Cybertronian writing. Towards the bottom near the number "6" is the name "Optimus Prime" spelled out in Cybertronian letters! This is a really nice touch and the black and white colors of this background really pop against the silver colors.
The strap is black on top and beige in the back with blue stitching on the sides. The black and blue colors in particular offer a nice visual callback to the colors on the watch face and interior. Overall this is a fine looking watch with a strong design that is sleek at the same time.
Specs & Functionality
This watch features an analog display. The INFANTRY site indicates it has Quartz movement, a premium alloy watch case with PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), an anti-scratch mineral glass top, stainless steel case back and a faux leather strap.
The face of the watch has a lot going on, so it will take your eyes a bit to adjust to the various lines and Cybertronian writing. Once you do, it is not hard to read. Out of the box I used the crown right away to adjust the time with no issues. There are two buttons for the stopwatch feature. I honestly was not 100% sure how this worked so I found this video on Youtube that explains stopwatches on analog wristwatches (though functionality may vary from company to company).
The hour and minute hands on this watch both have a line of glow in the dark material on them. However, I found even after leaving the watch under a bright lamp for about a half hour, the minute hand glow was much stronger than the hour hand. I'm wondering if this is specific to the copy of the watch I received or something line wide, so be aware of this potential limitation.
This watch is water resistant up to 3ATM, which represents how much pressure it can take before water leaks inside. This means you should not go submerging the piece in water, however it is able to take an accidental splash of water or light rain. If you want to read more about watches and atmospheres, check out this page.
The day I opened the watch, I made it a point to wear it the entire day. From doing chores to just walking around my building I kept it on to get a good feel of it. I originally feared that the watch would feel too heavy or uncomfortable because of its appearance. However, after wearing it for several hours I can honestly say it is surprisingly comfortable! In contrast, I usually just wear a Fitbit Charge, which is much smaller and lighter but the two felt very similar in terms of comfort. That said, I think any future watches from this collaboration could benefit from having an option of purchasing a different band (not that you couldn't do that at any reputable watch repair shop of course).
Final Thoughts
INFANTRY's series of "Prime" Transformers watches is an interesting experiment in the world of collecting. Transformers action figure fans usually have a "built in" collector mindset so the thought of hunting down blind boxed items is hardly alien to them. However, such hunting is usually reserved for likes of Blokees figures and vehicles but not wearable items like watches. At a $60 USD price point per watch, I would say only the most hardcore of collectors will pursue a full set of these watches. I do speculate however that there may come a time where collectors of these watches will find each other online and perhaps arrange trades so they can all complete sets.
That said, you do not need to own the entire set of watches to appreciate these time pieces. No, these are not high end boutique watches such as an Omega, but they're not meant to be. They are intended to be relatively affordable and collectible watches that show love for our favorite Robots in Disguise and to that end they do the job very well. Recommended to collectors who want a solid Transformers themed watch but do not want to break the bank in the process.
