J.Crew Timex Watches {price drop!}

I am not sure when it happened, but both J.Crew's Timex Military Watch (Item 10884) and Timex Vintage Field Army Watch (item 27460) dropped in price from $150 to $98. I should add, they are not on sale. It looks like this is the new set point for price.

This is a pretty significant price drop that I was surprised to see. After all, J.Crew tends to increase prices, not reduce them. I immediately checked out the straps, like the Solid Watch Strap (Item 19474). They are still priced at $20, but I do remember when customers could buy two regular-priced straps and save.

This all got me wondering, why did J.Crew reduce the price on these watches? Especially since so many retailers were imitating the style. (Fossil offers a similar style. Target offers a similar Timex version for a lot, lot, lot less.)

Since J.Crew has a lot of Timex-watch competition out there, they probably decided to be a little more price-reasonable. (Although, let's face it, the watch is still expensively priced. This coming from a consumer who purchased the watch at $150.) Plus, it could create a loss-leader type situation. (Kind of like video game consoles, where the real money is made on the games and not the console.) Make the watch itself, cost a little less, and keep the regular price straps at a high price point. I mean, how can you buy this watch and not get an additional strap or two? ;)

Of course, this has got me hoping that J.Crew will reduce the starting price point for other pieces that are set a bit too high.

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Timex watches? Did you notice the price reduction? Do you think they are worth the value?

Product Review: Timex® Traveler Watch

Timex® Traveler Watch
Click here for product page
Item 37301
Regular: $98.00
Sale: $78.00

J.Crew describes it as the following:

Introducing our very first ladies' watch designed in collaboration with the iconic American watchmaker. Inspired by a 1960s wristwatch we found at an estate sale, it fuses vintage elements with world-class modern crafting. Featuring an unfussy yet feminine silver-tone case, a crisp analog dial and a cherry red arrow at the second hand (a rare vintage detail we adore), this is one you'll wear day after day, year after year. Brass and stainless steel watch case. Nylon strap with stainless steel hardware. Diameter of watch case: 25mm. Strap width: 12mm. Import. Timex is a registered trademark of Timex Group USA, Inc.

Earlier in the year, I mentioned how J.Crew's Timex watch for women caught my eye. (Refer to the January 25th "New Lady Watch from Timex For J.Crew" post.) I already own J.Crew's Timex Military Watch (Item 10884; $150.00), and could not justify another one... or could I? Yup, I can! I simply could not resist when the Timex Traveler Watch went on sale last week with an additional 30% off! (I think so many of us jumped to buy this watch because of the sale too.)

My watch has finally arrived and I have to say... loves it!!! I normally favor larger watches. However, this one is so pretty thanks to its beautiful design. Some might think the poly straps would make this watch look more casual. However, the diminutive size of the watch adds to its overall delicate nature, giving it a really chic feel.

Similar to the Timex Military Watch, the straps are interchangeable and too long (requiring it to be folded over and tucked). The original Timex comes with a black strap. However, the women's version includes an olive green strap– a perfect shade that will work with almost any outfit. The cherry red arrow on the second hand really pops on the watch too!

Overall, very pleased with this watch! I already ordered an additional Women's Watch Strap (Item 39298; $12.00; select colors $2.99), and plan to get a few more colors in the upcoming year.

The real life image above of the watch is from the Sincerely Sammie blog where she beautifully incorporates J.Crew's Timex® Traveler Watch with her outfits. Check out her "Mint Cherry" (where the above image was from) and the "Orange Crush" post to see more images of this watch! :)

What are your thoughts on the Timex® Traveler Watch? Do you own this watch? Have you tried it on at a store? Do you like this style? If so, please share with us your review. :)

J.Crew Offers {New} Classic Timepiece

"Thanks!" to J.Crew Guy In Canada, who let us know about an article over at The New York Times (click here to read in its entirety):

Ticking Again: Reviving a Classic Timepiece
By Erica Blumenthal
November 7, 2011

The watch mavens at Tourneau have teamed up with J. Crew to revive a little-known Swiss watchmaker, Mougin & Piquard. The company, founded in the 1920s by Ernest Mougin and Paul Piquard, had designed traditional mechanical watches with a Parisian sensibility, much in the manner of the Mougin family, which made ornate timepieces in late-19th-century Paris.

The company changed hands in 1960, then went out of business the following decade with the advent of the quartz movement. The new watches, with the rare Mougin & Piquard logo, are based on sketches from the company’s archives. Swiss-made with a quartz movement and a stainless steel case, they have either a cream face and brown leather strap or a black face and strap.

Mougin & Piquard for J. Crew grande seconde watch, $425 at J.Crew Men’s stores; jcrew.com.

J.Crew does a good job with their partnerships with watches. I constantly wear my Timex Military Watch (Item 10884; $150.00) from J.Crew. As for the Mougin & Piquard for J. Crew... me likey! It's a good thing that the price tag is too high for me, or I would have already ordered one of them! ;)

What are your thoughts on the watch offerings at J.Crew? Are you a fan of the latest classic timepiece?

Gap Likes To Wear J.Crew Too {who doesn't!}

"Thanks!" to Lauren who shared a J.Crew sighting in an unlikely place: Over at the Gap!

Gap has a new Summer Look Book (click here), where it looks like they incorporated not only J.Crew's Timex Military Watch (Item 10884; $150.00) with the Solid watch strap (Item 19474; $20.00) in Bronzed Beige, but also their Marissa Crystal Cuff Bracelets (Item 40978; $29.50, now $14.99) in Golden Topaz. In fact, even the model featured use to be in J.Crew's catalog and website.

I have seen J.Crew items being used for other retailers, but not direct competitors like the Gap. For example, every once in awhile I will see a J.Crew item or two in a Pottery Barn catalog. Although, I honestly cannot blame the Gap for wanting to be more like J.Crew. ;)

Did you catch the J.Crew items over at the Gap? Have you spotted any other J.Crew items at other places?

GQ Eyes J.Crew's Timex Watch

"Thanks!" to J.Crew Guy In Canada who shared an article from GQ's Eye (click here to read in its entirety):

Watch of the Week: Timex for J.Crew
Ted Stafford
May 27, 2011

We know we've mentioned them a few times now, but these Timex for J.Crew military-inspired watches are the ideal summer accessory: the no-sweat band, the punchy colors, the screaming price ($150, c'mon!). They also strike a perfect balance of All-American style and quality, a fact that makes them the spot-on timepiece for that Memorial Day BBQ this weekend. Our advice? Buy another strap and save it for the Fourth. At $20 a piece, you can afford to mix things up.

Available at J.Crew stores nationwide and JCrew.com.

J.Crew's Timex Military Watch (Item 10884; $150.00) really is a classic piece. It's simple, but elegant in its design. And the interchangeable straps are an easy way to accessorize any outfit. I even coordinate the straps around holidays. For example I use the red strap for Christmas and Fourth of July!

Do you like J.Crew's Timex Watch? Own it? Do you own more than one strap (like me!)? Please share! :)

J.Crew + Timex Watch = Tell Me More!

"Thanks!" to Wm who shared the following fascinating article about J.Crew's Timex Military Watch (Item 10884; $150.00) from Hodinkee (click here to read in its entirety, with lots of close up images):

The History of the REAL Timex Military Watch: Plastic, Disposable, And A Product Of The 1980s
By Hodinkee.com
April 20, 2011

Something about the J.Crew / Timex military watch never really jived with us. They claimed it was designed after a watch built to military specifications in the 1940s, but we could never actually find that watch. Even when we went into the vault at Timex, we saw watches from the 1940s, but they didn't look anything like the modern interpretation that we see so often on the wrists of the young menswear set. So, we went on a mission to discover where this design came from, and when, if ever, Timex had a military contract to make wristwatches. We found the watch that inspired the J.Crew piece, but we came to realize that it wasn't from the 1940s at all, but rather from the first half of 1982. And the story doesn't end there. ...

...The Timex Mil-Spec W-46374B is totally fascinating timepiece. It was produced for a questionably short period of time to standards that destined it to be a true "throw away" watch. Yet, the one true Timex military watch has reached grail status to those enraptured with the brand, and certainly those who have a proclivity towards American military pieces. It is, also, the true inspiration for the J.Crew / Timex watch, but we suppose the 1940s just sounded a bit more glamorous than "Two months in the early 80s" to the J.Crew marketing folk. Can't blame em' for that.

First, "kudos!" to the writers of that article who gave such an in-depth history on military watches from Timex.

Second, I think it is pretty darn hysterical that J.Crew's expensive Timex watch was inspired by a cheap 1980's design. Not nearly as funny as me paying full price (minus educator discount, which was allowed back in the day) for it. ;) (What can I say, I really love the watch with its simple design and interchangeable straps.)

Third, I can't help but wonder if J.Crew knew about the true origins of their watch's inspiration. Did they think the 1980's had less of a magical feel to it, then the 1940's?

What are your thoughts on the article? Do you like J.Crew's Timex Watch? Own it? Please share! :)

New Lady Watch from Timex For J.Crew

A week or two ago, I stopped by one of my local brick & mortar (B&M) stores and noticed a new Timex for J.Crew watch being offered. But it was different from its current offerings (click here to shop Timex for J.Crew online). This new watch was smaller and the band was thinner. I thought to myself, "Dang it! I love the look of this watch too."

The following is a post from the New York Times Magazine Blog (click here to read in its entirety) that discusses this very watch:

The High Low | Timex for J. Crew
By Edward Barsamian
January 20, 2011

What: Timex for J. Crew watch

How Much: $98, watch; strap, $12 at J.Crew stores or, as of January 27, at jcrew.com.

Two years ago, J.Crew introduced a Timex watch for men. Recently, Marissa Webb, the head of women’s design, decided it was about time the girls got one of their own. “The dial is noticeably smaller than the men’s watches,” she says, adding, “Not all women want to wear a large, men’s field watch.” Other feminine twists include a range of stripy straps. “They are a nod to our men’s styles, [but] the colors are vibrant.” Think green and orange for prepsters and shocking pink for those who still have their calendars set to 1987.

I do love the simple look of this watch. Although I did not try the new version on, I have a sneaky feeling that the strap length is the right size too (not so long that I have to double fold it.)

I already own the Timex Military Watch, so I can't justify another one right now. (Well, give me time! I mean Valentine's Day is just around the corner.) :)

What are your thoughts on the latest Timex for J.Crew watch? Do you like this new version? Have you seen or purchased this new version? If so, please share! :)

Cardmember Email: Just for Cardmembers: a sneak preview of our newest Timex

"Thanks!" to Dane, who shared with us another email from J.Crew to its card members.

The email above features the not-yet-officially-released-online Timex® Vintage Field Army Watch (Item 27460; $150.00). J.Crew describes this military style watch as:

Presenting the watch of the hour: a new white-faced version of our popular military watch (also created with legendary American watchmaker Timex). Based on an iconic 1940s military style from the Timex archives (and only available here), we gave it a new subtly distressed, off-white dial face, Arabic numerals and olive-toned watch strap. Like our other version, this piece is built for the trenches: it has a quartz analog movement and is water-resistant to 50 meters. A timeless blend of functional design and modern crafting, you won't find this anywhere else. (It's already the preferred everyday watch for our troops.) Stainless steel watch case. Nylon strap. Quartz analog movement. Off-white dial with full Arabic hour markers. 24 hour markings. Battery powered. 50M water-resistant.

I love J.Crew's original Timex Military Watch (Item 10884; $150.00). So of course, I love this latest version too! I really like the off-white dial face & olive-toned watch strap— it has a fresh feel for Spring & Summer. I guess I am not the only one who is loving this piece, because it is already wait-listed (expected to ship 07.19.2010).

What are your thoughts on the Timex® Vintage Field Army Watch? Do you like this version more? Do you think you will purchase one?