Men's Vogue > Style

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A popular, inexpensive, and smartly designed line of watches might just be the next Swatch.

ToyWatch, limited edition

clock stopperThe inner dials track seconds, minutes, and military time.

ToyWatch, a small Chicago-based company, does not demand the heavy metals and heavy price tags one finds on the wrists of most watch aficionados. With their signature nylon bands, rainbow color schemes, and inexpensive price tags, the timepieces recall a certain watch found on the wrists of 1980s teenagers. Still, the notoriety stemming from such stylish inspiration was something to be aspired to. As the firm's CEO Randy Gordon put it, "If we play this right, we could be the next Swatch."

This chronograph, developed in a collaboration between Men's Vogue and ToyWatch founder Marco Mavilla, is the perfect next step. Its brushed-steel face, black bezel, and matte dials subtly contrast the rose gold detailing. And the gray grosgrain ribbon, replacing the usual nylon, helps keep it remarkably light at a mere 1.6 ounces. The result looks as if it should cost thousands, yet remains proudly democratic. This series of only 200 numbered pieces proves that a ToyWatch can be a very serious thing indeed. (Available at Barneys New York, $250; toywatchusa.com.)

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Photo by Mitch Feinberg
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