Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

The editors at DS often get asked for a good watch recommendation at a reasonable price.  Though we feel this market continues to be underserved, there are a handful of watch brands that manage to deliver both quality and design without becoming the one outlier of a credit card charge on your billing statement.  We’ve always been fans of Timex with their history of producing durable and dependable watches, and with the launch of the TX line in particular, they’ve further enhanced the styling and engineering behind their timepieces without unreasonably elevating their price point.  And with the two Timex watches below, you could probably buy one with the cash in your pocket, while the other would be on par with the cost of your bar tab from a couple weekend’s worth of shenanigans.

Item A.

Timex Camper (available at Timex for $35): with a nylon strap, luminescent hands/markers and water resistance up to 30 meters, the Timex Camper is direct, rugged, takes a licking, and keeps on…you get the picture.

Item B.

TX 730 Series Classic Fly-Back Chronograph (available at Timex for $550): on somewhat of the opposite end of the design spectrum, the TX 730 Series features multifunctional movement with a compass, tachymeter, date and four-hour fly-back chronograph functionality, housed in a slick aviation-inspired case (and the fact that it’s blacked out certainly doesn’t hurt either). 

Adventure, Gear, Outdoors, Watches

We’re pretty sure we’re not going diving anytime soon (let alone in Arctic conditions).  But on the off chance we found ourselves in that type of situation, we’d feel a lot more secure being equipped with the Kobold Arctic Diver Swiss Tactical (available at Kobold for $5,250).  The Arctic Diver has a black DLC-coated stainless steel case and features Swiss automatic movement.  The dial is deliberately spartan for high visibility underwater and an extra-thick sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside further ensures clarity under all types of conditions.  And with your choice of a black nylon Zulu strap or natural rubber strap (both included with this limited production watch), you can swap them out interchangeably using a set of two screwdrivers that Kobold provides for your DIY pleasure.

Related Item:
Kobold Phantom Tactical Chronograph

Accessories, Style, Watches

The hat trick.  The trifecta.  The trinity.  There’s always been something sublime and utterly complete about things that come in threes.  With the Suunto Elementum (price TBA), you’re able to choose from three separate watch lines that equip you to handle the elements while exploring: Aqua (for diving), Terra (for outdoor expedition) and Ventus (for sailing).  All three share a ruggedly modern aesthetic and a bevy of features specifically designed to ensure your safety and survival, whether measuring dive depth, reading barometric pressure and trend, or providing 3D compass directions.  In addition, every Elementum is made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating, while being water resistant from 100m to 200m, depending on the model.  You can also choose from steel, leather, and rubber straps in various colors, allowing you to personalize your Elementum to fit your sense of style while roughing it in the great outdoors.

Adventure, Gear, Outdoors, Watches

They say you always bet on black—and with the detailed yet resolute design of the Nixon Magnacon (available at Nixon for $600), you couldn’t bet against it.  Made of titanium carbide coated stainless steel, the Nixon Magnacon features Swiss-made chronograph movement with a custom developed ballistic nylon band, double gasket screw crown and scratch resistant sapphire crystal.  The black on black colorway is accented with red and white hashmarks and hands, resulting in a striking mash-up between an aviation and covert ops aesthetic.  And though we’d hesitate to call the Magnacon inexpensive, it’s one of the few watches we love with both substance and style coming in under the four digit price point.

Accessories, Style, Watches

Concepts.  Whether we’re talking about concept vehicles or products, they invariably represent the most forward thinking in technology and design, capturing our attention and imagination while often instilling in us the hope of seeing these visions realized on a larger scale, and the Tag Heuer MONACO Twenty Four Concept Chronograph is no exception.  Unveiled at BASELWORLD 2009, this concept MONACO continues the storied tradition of embodying Steve McQueen’s exceptionally singular spirit in what has always been our favorite line of Tag Heuer watches (it was the first serious time piece we purchased).

Inspired by the legendary race cars of the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as McQueen’s 1970 classic film, Le Mans, this MONACO features an oversize “24″ and signature Gulf Oil blue and orange stripes on the dial.  The polished black PVD-coated case is sleek, striking and houses a floating, “see-through” dial (with two semi sub-counters at 9 at 3) powered by Tag Heuer’s 36 Calibre Movement.  And these precise inner workings are protected by a unique shock absorption system, insulated by an aerospace industry “composite filter” material, and cradled in steel-tube housing.  With these myriad technological advances and exceptionally slick aesthetic, we can only hope the Tag Heuer MONACO Twenty Four Concept Chronograph represents the future design direction of the MONACO in both the near and long-term.

Accessories, Style, Watches

Appearing as if it was exquisitely formed from the aftermath of a violent explosion of onyx and concrete, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph (available at certified Audemars Piguet retailers for $25,800) is a timepiece that elevates even our own idealized conception of what a watch should be.  The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph has a compelling boldness that draws your attention to the symphony of visual textures in the black forged carbon body.  Its dappled beauty is sealed down and framed with a sleek black ceramic bezel which is accented by Audemars Piguet’s signature steel screws and gorgeously contrasted with a vivid yellow tachometric scale, numerals and stitching on a black saddle-cut crocodile leather strap.  And with a Calibre 3126/3840 self-winding movement, 60 hour power reserve and water resistance of up to 100 meters, the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph delivers not only a substantially high level of performance, but also a striking aggressiveness worthy of the Audemars Piguet namesake.

Accessories, Style, Watches

It’s hard to imagine that computers were once unwieldy, glorified typewriters that solely resided on top of desks.  They’ve since exponentially increased in power and functionality while diminishing in weight and size, enough to rest comfortably on our laps and now, even our wrists.  And when you’re trekking to the outer reaches of civilization, you can feel confident with the world’s smallest and lightest outdoor GPS wristop computer, the Suunto X10 (available at Buy.com for $403) securely attached to your wrist.  Equipped with an altimeter, compass, barometer, and powerful GPS, the Suunto X10 monitors altitude and barometric pressure, records speed and distance, and navigates up to 500 waypoints, guaranteeing you’ll reach your destination with precision and reliability from anywhere within the world.  And Suunto Track Exporter software even lets you upload completed journeys to Google Earth, where you can recreate, view and share your travels with friends and family using real satellite imagery.

Adventure, Gear, Outdoors, Watches

Produced as a tribute to its original release in 1957, the Breitling Superocean Héritage series (available at authorized Breitling dealers from $2,985 – $4,800) retains the spirit and design details that made the watch special decades before.  Available in two sizes, a 38mm and 46mm as well as a Chronographe version, the Superocean Héritage line features a unidirectional, 120-tooth ratcheted bezel that circumscribes a dial displaying the 1950s logo with the Breitling signature topped by an 18K gold letter B, and a thick, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that’s been glareproofed on both sides.  However, of all its details, the bracelets are what make the Superocean Héritage something to behold.  You can choose either the steel mesh Ocean Classic bracelet (editor’s choice) or the Ocean Racer strap in rubber (which is color matched to the black, blue and bronze dial/bezel options).  Both use a clasp with a precise folding mechanism that allows you to easily adjust for comfort and fit.  So whether you’re diving 200 meters underwater or just diving into a new book at a downtown cafe, the Breitling Superocean Héritage will keep you well apprised of just how much time you’ve got to kill.

Accessories, Style, Watches

Since we were kids, we’ve always loved watches that did more than just tell the time, but sometimes the situation requires for more than just help with a long division problem.  The Timex Expedition WS4 Watch (available at Timex for $200) is the ultimate adventure watch with its breakthrough wide-screen dashboard providing four functions: altimeter, thermometer, barometer and compass.   Whatever extreme outdoor activity you’re undertaking, the Expedition WS4 will tell you how high you’re going, what weather conditions you’ll be facing, and what direction you’re heading in as well.  And being water resistant up to 50m as well as being equipped with the INDIGLO night-light feature, this Timex will keep doing its job whether it’s day or night or even if you happen to find yourself underwater.  Available in five colors (editor’s choice: yellow), the Timex Expedition WS4 is sporty, stylish, and may just end up saving your life one day.

Outdoors, Style, Watches

Magnetic fields can be found wherever electric currents abound—in all electrical appliances, audio speakers, and also if you happen to inexplicably find yourself near a power plant.  For most self-winding watches, magnetic fields can potentially disrupt their ability to function accurately as parts in the movement become magnetized.  That said, if there’s one watch built to withstand a highly magnetic environment, it’s the Rolex Milgauss 116400GV (available at authorized Rolex dealers for $6,575).  The Rolex Milgauss is waterproof up to 100 meters and resistant to a magnetic flux density of 1,000 gauss, remaining impeccably precise even in the presence of significant magnetic fields.  As much as we appreciate its technical features, it’s really the green sapphire crystal offset by a smooth polished steel bezel framing a black dial with orange numbering that makes the Rolex Milgauss a watch worth coveting.  The difficult part remains finding the elusive Milgauss as production numbers remain low.  Though we generally recommend buying from authorized retailers such as Wempe (who will take down your information and contact you when one becomes available), if you must have the Rolex Milgauss now, there are other means available.

Accessories, Style, Watches