Todd Snyder and Timex Take a Crack at the Chronograph with the MK-1 Sky King

Todd Snyder and Timex have this long standing partnership that dates back to 2016 with the release of the MOD watch. Like many of their collaborative pieces, the designs lean strongly on military field watches, vintage cues, and design-forward decisions that are clearly being made by Mr. Todd Snyder himself. The latest collaboration from the two established American brands marks the first time they step into chronograph territory. The new release is dubbed the MK-1 Sky King and comes in two different variations – a coated steel case with a matching black dial and a traditional steel case with what Todd Snyder x Timex is calling a ‘blaze orange’ dial.

The MK-1 Sky King has all the hallmarks of a tried and true pilot’s watch. The main one being legibility, and that is highlighted by a bold upright triangle marker at twelve o’clock and accompanying circular hour plots of the same magnitude. Looking closely, you’ll notice that the hour plots get shifted in closer to the center of the dial, and do not reside on the same track as the triangular marker. This decision compresses the dial visually and also offers a bit of a distinctive dial trait. What does reside on the same track as the twelve marker is a fully indexed minute track that encircles the dial with corresponding Arabic numerals at intervals of five. The addition of hash marks between each minute marker gives the appearance of a solid line around the dial at glance and tightens up the dial aesthetically.

Three subdials take up dial space at six, nine and twelve with each respective subdial tracking hours, minutes, and seconds. Each subdial is also defined by their own hash marks, which increase as you go counterclockwise from the hours subdial. The chronograph feature, along with the center handset and date function are powered by a quartz movement.

The black dial variation gets a matching black stainless steel case and white dial accents, as well as a prominent orange seconds hand. Against the inky tone of the dial and case, these accents really jump out at you. The blaze orange dial gets the more traditional stainless steel case look, and although the vibrant dial can be seen across the room with ease, the black accents within the subdials are a little tougher to make out. The brushed case finish gives the watch a purpose-built quality and helps with toning down the orange dial, keeping the military aesthetic in the MK-1 Sky King. Both cases come in at 42mm in width, sport a water resistance up to 50 meters and come with a domed acrylic crystal which only compliment the vintage vibes both Todd Snyder and Timex were intentionally (and classically) going for.

Each of the MK-1 Sky Kings will deliver on an olive green canvas strap that comes with a tan leather lining and gunmetal hardware. Worth noting that the strap itself is made out of recycled clothing. Now is the recycled strap made out of your favorite Toddy Snyder x Champion t-shirt or crewneck sweatshirt? Probably not. But it’s recycled and repurposed nonetheless. You can’t help but feel the tone of the strap, which perfectly compliments the black and orange dials, as well as the gun metal hardware, we’re also design touches from Todd Snyder.

The Todd Snyder x Timex MK-1 Sky King is currently available at your local Todd Snyder brick and mortar store. You can also purchase the new collaborative piece directly online through Todd Snyder. The Todd Snyder x Timex MK-1 Sky King retails for $168. Todd Snyder x Timex