You can get far on a good reputation. For men’s style, nowhere is that more clear than with J. Crew’s marketing & selling of Timex Watches. They look great and many swear by them despite the price, but reasonable alternatives exist for a fraction of the cost. For more, see our archive of similar looking watches that cost a whole lot less.
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The Timex Weekender Slip-Thru – $32.00 w/code SUMMER11

Full credit to Ben R. for sending in the style tip on these. Is it possible to rip yourself off? Because if it is, that appears to be what Timex is doing. The Timex Weekender Slip Thru looks almost identical to the J. Crew Military watch. They’ll probably feel different in your hands, but the looks are awfully close. The Slip Thru comes with a variety of NATO straps, plenty of dial color options (try this one in grey with the orange striped band) and free shipping kicks in at $75 pre-code. Which means you can get a dark dial and a light dial shipped free for $64 with the code SUMMER11
The WOMEN’S Timex Weekender Strap – $36.00 w/code SUMMER11

This is a woman’s watch. Just 32mm in width so it’s downright tiny. So, not for us fellas this time around, but, if they made it in a men’s size… well just look at how similar it is to the almost $200 J. Crew Timex 1500. Yes the details aren’t quite as good looking. But it’s $36.00 as opposed to $200.
The Timex “Dress” Sport – $52.00 w/code SUMMER11

Switch out the strap. Just take that leather one off and slip on a blue NATO strap (heads up: lugs are 22mm). Not technically a part of the weekender series, but it’s reasonably close to J. Crew’s newly launched Andros. No word on whether the bezel rotates either, or if the design was inspired by “one of the most breathtaking and extraordinary barrier reefs in the world.” Feel free to get it wet though. Just like the Andros, it’s water resistant to 100m.
It’s unknown when the Timex code SUMMER11 expires. The J. Crew Timex Alternatives series continues tomorrow.
I have the J. Crew military black watch (among others) and I swear by it. The Weekender is a great alternative for those absolutely not committed to spending $150 on a Timex, but I like the little details on the Crew watch (like the luminous hands and those little triangles near the numbers).
Agreed. I have the 1600 watch, from my girlfriend. Sure it’s marked up a ton, but the details are all just right. I’ve yet to see an alternative that I prefer.
I actually prefer the look of the Weekender to the J.Crew version… the rounded edges of the case, the cleaner dial design (especially on the white/cream dial)… plus I will gladly trade a couple of luminous hands for the Indiglo feature, which is one of the few value-added details that has always stood out about Timex watches.
The Weekender Slip Thrus are selling like hotcakes from the Timex site (only three colorways left at the moment). If you don’t mind coughing up the extra few dollars for full price, though, the full range of colors is still available at Kohl’s and JCPenney. I’ve heard from a couple people who’ve come across them in-store at JCPenney so that might be a good way to look before you leap if that’s how you roll.
they are also available at target for 34.99, and they have timex straps for 6.00!
Just saw this today.
http://luxury.dailysteals.com/?utm_source=DailySteals.com+-+Deal+of+the+Day&utm_campaign=6b001ac29c-8_8_2011_Monday_5_Deals8_5_2011&utm_medium=email
$54 for a Seiko Black w/ Black canvas strap
That seiko wins over all the options above IMO. Nice find.
I found this watch at Target for $29.99: http://www.target.com/Timex-Reader-Quick-Expandable-Silver/dp/B000B5459Q/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_3
Paired with some watch straps I picked up at AE, it’s a great everyday watch that can be dressed up or dressed down! I love that it also has both the date AND day of the week, as well as 24hr times. It is slightly smaller than the “Weekender Series”, so it works well for my smaller wrists.
The Seiko 5 series is definitely the best value for entry-level automatics out there. My daily office watch is a Seiko 5 dress watch and I like it a lot – I think I’ll like it even more when I finally stop waffling and pick out a nice leather strap to replace the cheap factory bracelet.
Still, for a low-cost “beater” watch, it’s hard to beat these Timexes. I appreciate autos but for care-free convenience and accuracy, quartz is the way to go.
I prefer all the J Crew versions and honestly, wouldn’t have a problem paying those prices if they were automatic (even manual). I simply don’t like battery watches.
How did you put straps on that?
How can i find NATO straps w/o buying them from their website? (because they only sell in large quantities)
How can i find NATO straps w/o buying them from their website? (because they only sell in large quantities)
How can i find NATO straps w/o buying them from their website? (because they only sell in large quantities)
While a disagree with spending $150 on a Timex, the details of the JCrew watch (that I can see from the pictures online) make the watch far superior to the “reputations”.
If all you have is a few sawbucks, then the rep will do just fine, but $150 kinda seems worth it to me.
It might just be the shitty stock photos versus J Crews photography.
While a disagree with spending $150 on a Timex, the details of the JCrew watch (that I can see from the pictures online) make the watch far superior to the “reputations”.
If all you have is a few sawbucks, then the rep will do just fine, but $150 kinda seems worth it to me.
It might just be the shitty stock photos versus J Crews photography.
While a disagree with spending $150 on a Timex, the details of the JCrew watch (that I can see from the pictures online) make the watch far superior to the “reputations”.
If all you have is a few sawbucks, then the rep will do just fine, but $150 kinda seems worth it to me.
It might just be the shitty stock photos versus J Crews photography.
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http://www.broadarrow.net/maratac.htm
Less of a selection in colors, but great basics and very quality straps. Good company to deal with.
http://www.broadarrow.net/maratac.htm
Less of a selection in colors, but great basics and very quality straps. Good company to deal with.
http://www.broadarrow.net/maratac.htm
Less of a selection in colors, but great basics and very quality straps. Good company to deal with.
To continue what another commenter had said, I did some scouting and Target does indeed carry the Weekenders as well as some different straps. The strap colors I saw in-store were green/navy/white, navy/light blue/red, black with a single grey stripe, red, neon orange, and khaki. For those familiar with watch strap lingo, they are basically a slightly shorter Zulu strap with a conventional square buckle. Quality is very good for the price ($6.99) and comparable to my Maratac Zulu, which cost something like $17. The hardware on the straps is sewn and not merely heat-bonded, too, so hopefully they will be relatively durable. Width is 20mm.
Even if you’re not sold on the watches themselves, these straps look like a pretty good deal if you want to give your old watch a new pair of shoes.
To continue what another commenter had said, I did some scouting and Target does indeed carry the Weekenders as well as some different straps. The strap colors I saw in-store were green/navy/white, navy/light blue/red, black with a single grey stripe, red, neon orange, and khaki. For those familiar with watch strap lingo, they are basically a slightly shorter Zulu strap with a conventional square buckle. Quality is very good for the price ($6.99) and comparable to my Maratac Zulu, which cost something like $17. The hardware on the straps is sewn and not merely heat-bonded, too, so hopefully they will be relatively durable. Width is 20mm.
Even if you’re not sold on the watches themselves, these straps look like a pretty good deal if you want to give your old watch a new pair of shoes.
OK – so I ordered one of these, but now I’m wondering. My main watch is an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra that is pretty versatile in terms of being both sporty and dressy. Will I / should I ever wear the Timex?
OK – so I ordered one of these, but now I’m wondering. My main watch is an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra that is pretty versatile in terms of being both sporty and dressy. Will I / should I ever wear the Timex?
You really can’t think of any point when you’d rather wear a $40 watch than a $2000 one? Oh, I don’t know… biking, working out, painting, camping, hiking, running, cleaning, yard work, doing odd jobs around the house. Not to mention going anyplace where an expensive, name-brand watch like Omega will tempt thieves.
Perhaps you’ve not heard the term “beater” in reference to inexpensive watches. Well, if you hadn’t before, you have now. Your new Timex can be the watch that takes the beatings you’d rather your Omega didn’t.
Remove the metal band and replace it with a fabric strap: http://pugwash.info/articles/nato/
A few Target locations I have been to have them as well.
Just picked up a Weekender from Target and I do enjoy the simplicity and price of it.
These are good alternatives, but the first one is the only alternative I would like as much. The other two look nicer from J. Crew.
Thanks – honestly, in terms of those practicalities, no. I’ve been wearing only the Omega all the time the last several years (at the gym, in the pool, in bed etc.) and I’ve never worried from a practical standpoint that I need to substitute a cheaper watch. The nice thing about a more expensive watch is that the materials are hard core, so it totally stands up to all that abuse without looking any worse for the wear. The glass in particular just doesn’t scratch.
. . . But I was just thinking that the Timex looked really cool, so it might be nice to switch things up from a style standpoint.
Weekender is also sold on Amazon for $32 with free shipping.
can women wear the weekender?
They’re actually unisex watches…. so men, women and kids can wear ’em!
Yeah, if you look under accessories for men on the site it is listed there too
I tried the timex weekender on. Is it me or is the straps super short? Does anyone know if they sell longer straps?
Yes, I get the point of this post and I actually purchased a Weekender Sport (looks great for a $35 watch), but sometimes you pay a premium for design and the J. Crew watches all have a classier more elegant look especially the Andros. The deep navy color and proportions make it stand out. But, yes, if you are on budget go for the non-J. Crew versions.
The amount of compliments I’ve received on my $32 Timex Weekender is high. The stock photo is rather poor, yet the watch itself is fantastic. I highly recommend it.