It’s so funny to me what is happening with Timex. The stodgy Middlebury, Conn. watchmaker is pretty popular in the heritage-obsessed circle-jerk-menswear-blog-world right now (which, for better or worse, I am undeniably a part of). The funny thing is, Timex releases all of these special watches to sell at fashion stores (at an increased price) but it is still selling basically the same stuff at Wal-Mart and everywhere else. Case-in-point the Timex Camper XL. Not that $50 is too much for a watch, it’s not. I even paid $150 to buy the J.Crew Timex “military” watch, a damn fine looking item. When I was in Japan two years ago I bought a Camper (for about $80) thinking it was a special Japan-only watch, only to see it at Target in Jersey City a month after I got home. Beep, boop. Internet-based-menswear-FAIL on my part.

Funny that while the cool kids (again myself included) are hyping the more expensive special Timex editions, you can get a regular old Timex Camper or the Camper Expedition (as pictured below) for $22 and $26 respectively. You know someone in marketing at Timex is taking credit for the high-margin special-menswear-blog-edition idea, but everyone in the menswear circle-jerk knows that J.Crew went to them with the idea and not vice versa. So ease back there Timex marketing guy, let the J.Crew marketing guy talk.

I’ve been wearing the Camper Expedition (which I bought on Amazon for even less, $18 I think) for about the last six weeks and nearly everyday someone asks me what it is. It’s amazing to me how many people comment about it. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar it is probably the most remarked item I have ever owned. This all made me think that I need to do a better job of seeing what’s in front of me (or seeking out things from unexpected places) and not just focusing on what is being regurgitated on Twitter and in the menswear internet hand-job-fest that closes in more and more everyday. Ironic that I am writing this on a menswear internet site, yes. But at least I recognize the irony.

End rant. #movingonnow

Good ol’ Andy (of Reference Library fame) sent me a link last night to a post on Sweet Juniper about the bailout of the U.S. automotive industry. I definitely have my issues with the companies and the unions that have let their stubbornness and poor business models get them to this point, but I don’t agree with Americans that want to let these companies fail. I think what little manufacturing that remains in this country should receive a helping hand from the federal government. Why would we as tax payers help bailout investment bankers and not the American middle class? Take a few minutes and read Jim’s post on the state of things in Michigan, his take is right on the money with my thoughts. Sweet Juniper: Don’t Let Them Die.

Images from a now defunct vocational school in Michigan, because who needs to know how to make things anymore. (via Sweet Juniper)