January 21, 2011

What Time Is It?

I generally wear a man’s watch, finding it’s easier to glance at and check the time. It’s usually a cheap model, since I figure I will drop it or break it and drown it. It always has a stripey grosgrain band from Brooks Brothers, in some combination of cheery colours. ticktockticktock

I saw that J. Crew is selling a Timex watch for $98. It’s about as plain as can be and doesn’t even have J. Crew’s name plastered all over it. But it’s $98! You can buy an identical watch at your local drugstore, or at Target for about $30. J. Crew does have grosgrain watch straps, and they’re $12, which is less than Brooks Bros.

Would you get your plain Timex from J. Crew or Target?

18 comments:

  1. Meg,
    I'm with you on this. I'll take the $30 Timex over the $98 JCrew Timex any day.

    I wear a similar watch. A man's ecocitizen that looks similar to the Timex, but with a black face. Grosgrain ribbon, of course.

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  2. What time is it?

    Just ask the Scots!

    Scots Tell London, Hands Off Our Clocks

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/world/europe/21inverness.html

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  3. I stick with the Swiss, I wear Swatch Watches, retro, inexpensive, awesome customer service and the COLORS, my GOD, the COLORS! :) Love the store in Harbor Place. Have a great weekend!

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  4. I soooo many watches with dead batteries. Its easier and more fun to go to Target and get another. Who does J. Crew think he is? $98for a Timex!

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  5. I am a Target Girl! I am always losing them! They somehow manage their way to my teenager daughters wrist. I guess I should be happy I have "cool" taste right?

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  6. Target! You could get three there for the price of just one J Crew.
    Cathy

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  7. Give me Target any day of the week for a Timex; but for style, I'll take J.Crew.

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  8. J Crew's chargind the extra dinero for matching the second hand to the band?!? I like cruising the Crew shop/site to get styling ideas, but everything they sell is totally overpriced and who wants to see themselves coming and going anyway? My goal is to become as well-versed as you are with those Baltimore shops to find the REALLY cool stuff that Crew knocks off...

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  9. I liked J. Crew in the late 80s, but find their mens' clothes overpriced for the quality these days. The grosgrain watch straps are something I have overlooked, however.

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  10. I love the watch , for for a guy to having watch really attracts me.

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  11. I paid 150.00 for the J.Crew men's "military-style" watch with the black dial. The website claimed that it was theirs exclusively.

    I would have much preferred a lower price from Target or a similar store, but I guess I did not check carefully enough because I couldn't find one quite like the one offered by J. Crew.

    I especially like it that it doesn't have one of those little date boxes. I prefer the simplicity of no date on the dial.

    I have several J.Crew grograin straps. My wrist is not that small, but the straps are too long for me. I'm thinking I need to return them while the window in their return policy is still open.

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  12. When I wear a watch, I wear a departed relative's Timex with it's original black leather band--all very worn, but that makes it better in my book. I've also carried pocket watches. Call me quirky.

    I am not so wedded to the idea of watches that I would ever invest a great deal in one. If I want status, send me to Harry Winston. I could do a lot of damage in there.

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  13. Well I guess I'd go to Target! Who knew - I do like it however - it's got that utilitarian chic that I love.

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  14. Sounds like a trick question...Target but of course. maybe buy the spare too. However, I gave up watch wearing some time ago. I just look at my computer or phone.

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  15. "Tar-jhay" (Target) all the way, baby. My favorite man's watch was my dad's. Looks a lot like your red one, except it has a brown leather band. I love men's watches. Another fascination of mine: pocket watches!

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  16. I just received the J.Crew Timex vintage field army watch as a gift and am still considering returning it. As mentioned above the straps are too long for small- to even medium sized wrists. Also because it is labeled "vintage" the bezel has been roughed to look old or used. For $150 a more polished look would be expected. As a mid-grade option take a peak at Orvis, they sell a Grosgrain Ribbon Watch which comes with 4 different bands for just $69.

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  17. I am Anonymous who commented above about the length of the grosgrain strap. I am writing now, in hopes of helping Molly.

    I'm sorry I don't remember where, but after posting the above, I watched a video on the internet of a fellow doing a sort of fold with the end of the strap after he put the watch on. He made it sound like it was intentional. I tried it, and it works, so I guess I'm keeping the overpriced watch. It may have been on youtube.

    I apologize for being vague, but my memory is kind of sketchy. I'm anonymous because it's easy to click, and I'm not good with computer stuff. I love to read blogs, but I don't have one.

    I respect and appreciate the time and effort so many people put into their blogs.

    Enough of my rambling.

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