In Review: The Timex + Red Wing Natural/Tan Chrono

Timex Waterbury + Red Wing Chronograph – $158.00

NOTE: You can get one of these for less via END.Clothing. Just $119.00 through them, but know that shipping is $11.95 and it ships from the U.K. So you’re on the hook for international returns, which could be extremely pricey. 

To say the Timex + Red Wing Collaboration was a success would be a massive understatement. These watches got real popular, real quick. So much so that  the Black Dial / Rust band Chronograph is on back order until June at Todd Snyder (the exclusive USA Distributor). And even then, they seem to be indicating that they only have a limited quantity to sell. So, what to do?

The good news is that you’ve got options.

Option #1: This Natural Dial / Tan strap Chrono. Yes, it is a Red Wing Timex. And why it’s not designated more clearly as such on the Todd Snyder site is a mystery.

Yes, it’s a Red Wing.

The proof is stamped clearly on the back of the leather band. And let’s be clear: it sure seems that it is only the leather band, cut from Red Wing’s thick yet flexible boot leather, that makes these Timexs a “Red Wing” Timex. Everything else is stock, and the chrono timepieces themselves (especially on the more popular dark dial/brown band version) have been around for a while.

Thick but soft boot leather for the strap.

Same good lookin’ domed crystal. Same dial layout & indicies. Same quartz movement. Same 50m water resistance. Just a different color scheme. And it’s one that’ll look great with the lighter shades and fabrics of the warm weather season. But it’s understandable that not everyone is gonna like the lighter colored version. So…

Domed Crystal. Indiglo. 42mm Case.

Option #2: END. Clothing just got more of the black dial/rust band Red Wing chrono’s in stock. And they’re cheaper there. Yes really. At END these watches are priced at $135 with shipping going for $11.95 via fed ex. Todd Snyder puts em’ at $158. So that’s a savings of eleven bucks. But be warned that END ships from the UK, and you’re on the hook for international returns. That might be enough to scare some guys off.

Look what just got back in stock in the UK.

Option #3: Get an almost identical watch for much, much less, and swap out the band.

Here’s one example. For $96.00 (20% off $120 w/ MOM20), you can get the exact same black dial Timex Chrono that’s used on the back ordered Red Wing models. Again, it appears that it’s “just” the band that makes these things a Red Wing Timex. So, get the watch itself and find a new band. Consider one of Crown & Buckle’s Made in the USA straps, or, one of Worn & Wound’s Model 2 straps. Get the on-sale W&W Horween Crimson option, and you’ve got a custom setup that ends up costing a few bucks less than the Todd Snyder option.

Got all that? You’ve got the Natural / Tan option. You’ve got the U.K. for the more popular color scheme. And if all else fails, you can always make your own by picking up the watch itself and getting a different band.

Appears to be the same time piece as the sold out Red Wing Waterbury. Just gotta find a new strap.