Introducing: The Timex x Cara Barrett Edition V1
What We Know
It’s been two years since Cara Barrett officially bid adieu to her editing days at Hodinkee – and she’s been busy. Not only has she founded her own colorful brand of kids’ watches with Parchie, but she was also very quickly approached by Giorgio Galli at Timex to gauge her interest in personally collaborating on a watch. Striking an impressive balance between Cara’s keen knowledge of vintage design and her penchant for horological joy, the result of her collaboration with Timex has arrived: The Timex x Cara Barrett Edition V1.
One of the great strengths of this piece is that it has a little something for the seasoned vintage aficionado and the watch newbie alike. Let’s start with the dial. The light, baby blue hue is definitely a choice that reflects Cara’s own taste, and reads as versatile enough to wear both in casual and formal spaces without sacrificing any charm or feeling stuffy. The silver-toned Breguet numerals are a little nod to classic Patek Calatravas, and are well-matched with the slim sword hands. The domed acrylic crystal protecting the dial also has a very classic, pleasantly old-school feel.
At 36mm, the stainless steel case is not too bulky – but also not too wispy. While the design, namely the dial color and the cabochon-style crown, does fall into the realm of traditional women’s watches, when you get down to it, there’s not a whole lot that strikes as overwhelmingly (or even patronizingly) feminine – in a way that’s really refreshing.
Within this watch, Timex and Barrett have chosen to go with a hand-wound mechanical movement, which you might have already guessed from the “Mechanical” text on the dial. To be more specific, it’s the Sea-gull TY6DSK-1(6103K-S), which has a power reserve of 40 hours. As yet another vintage callback, a cabochon-style detail has been added to the crown in a black shade that matches the dotted minutes track. Très chic.
What We Think
We know (and admire) Cara for her vocality around the way that women are marketed to and represented within the watch industry as a whole, and it’s clear that that line of thinking touches all the details of this piece. The decidedly unisex case size. The lack of any frivolous sparkle, glitter, or pomp. It’s refined, vintage-inspired yet free of kitsch. This is a watch that finds its chicness in subtlety.
As a woman with an admittedly scrawny wrist, I’m a huge fan of the ease of the adjustable bracelet, which Timex has dubbed the Perfect Fit Expansion Band. After quickly removing (all) of the extra links, it fit like a dream, and there was something fun and easy-going about its stretchiness and elasticity. The sky blue dial classifies as an elevated neutral in my book, and I think it would pair particularly well with a black leather strap, given the small black details. That being said, I’d probably wait until after summer is over to make the switch – a sweaty wrist doesn’t quite suit my personal style, but you do you.
Considering the addition of the hand-wound movement, $249 might be more expensive than others in the quartz-heavy Timex catalog, but is still an approachable, entry-level-friendly price. It’s versatile and easy-wearing, and a great place to start if you’re just dipping your toes into the wild world of watches, but don’t want to break the bank on a budding collecting vice just yet. Call us biased if you must, but we really think Cara knocked it out of the park with this one.
The Basics
Brand: Timex
Model: Timex x Cara Barrett Edition V1
Reference Number: TW2V62600JR
Diameter: 36mm
Thickness: 10.4mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Baby blue
Indexes: Applied
Lume: No
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Stainless steel Perfect Fit Expansion bracelet
The Movement
Caliber: Sea-gull TY6DSK-1(6103K-S)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Power Reserve: 40 hours
Winding: Mechanical
Frequency: 21600 bpm
Pricing & Availability
Price: $249
Availability: Immediately at Timex and the Hodinkee Shop
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Hodinkee is an authorized retailer of Timex. For more information on the Timex x Cara Barrett Edition V1, find it here in the Hodinkee Shop.
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