In the world of watches, reissues can go one of two ways. Some stick religiously to the original blueprint, reviving a piece exactly as it once was. Others take inspiration from the past but adjust for the present day — changing proportions, materials, or details to make the design more relevant and wearable now. The new Timex Intrepid × Dimepiece Edition lands firmly in the second camp, taking the bold, oversized sports watch of the mid-1990s and reimagining it as a smaller, more inclusive design.

A Cult Classic with Presidential Style

The story of the Intrepid goes back to 1995, when Timex released a sailing-inspired sports watch with a distinctive slide-rule bezel, a 46 mm case, and a clean, almost minimalist dial. While it wasn’t the kind of watch you’d find in a luxury boutique, it built a reputation for being rugged, functional, and — thanks to its unusual proportions — quietly stylish. Then came a celebrity connection that would help define its legacy: John F. Kennedy Jr. was photographed wearing the Intrepid on numerous occasions, pairing it with everything from crisp polos to casual knits. In an era when the “preppy” look was riding high, this was enough to seal the watch’s place in the style playbook of the decade.

Fast forward nearly thirty years, and the Intrepid found itself back in the spotlight thanks to Brynn Wallner, the founder of the watch-focused media platform Dimepiece. While researching images of JFK Jr., she came across those now-famous photos and became intrigued by the model he was wearing. That curiosity led to a conversation with Alan Bedwell of vintage retailer Foundwell, and soon after, Timex itself was involved. The result was a faithful reissue of the original Intrepid in its unapologetically large 46 mm form — a bold statement piece that sold out quickly and introduced the model to a whole new audience.

Key Changes

But as exciting as that revival was, it came with an obvious limitation: not everyone wants a 46 mm watch on their wrist. For many, the sheer size was impractical, and even for those willing to wear it as a fashion statement, it wasn’t an everyday choice. Wallner and Timex saw an opportunity here — not just to make the watch smaller, but to rethink it in a way that spoke to a wider audience, free from traditional “men’s” or “women’s” watch categories. The result is the new Timex Intrepid × Dimepiece Edition, which reduces the case size to a far more wearable 36 mm and adds a few thoughtful updates in the process.

The first and most obvious change is that size reduction. At 36 mm, the Dimepiece Edition is firmly in the sweet spot for all-day wear, regardless of wrist size. It’s compact without feeling dainty, and still carries the sporty character that made the original so distinctive. The second major change is the bezel. Gone is the original nautical slide-rule, replaced with a straightforward timing bezel that maintains the watch’s tool-watch vibe but with a cleaner, more versatile look.

The dial has also been reworked. Instead of the darker tones seen on the ‘90s version, this model uses a cream base with crisp black markers, giving it a subtle vintage feel. But the most distinctive touches are the accents in Dimepiece’s signature purple — found on the seconds hand, one of the hour markers, and the pusher that activates the watch’s Indiglo backlight. It’s a playful nod to the collaboration without overpowering the design.

Built for Everyday Wear

Another detail worth noting is the crown position. Like the original, the Dimepiece Edition places the crown at 4 o’clock instead of the traditional 3 o’clock. It’s a small quirk, but one that adds to the watch’s character and comfort. Paired with a black synthetic rubber strap, the overall look is versatile enough to wear with casual weekend outfits, but distinctive enough to stand out in a sea of minimalist quartz watches.

Under the hood, the watch runs on a quartz movement — unsurprising for Timex, but also fitting for a piece like this. It keeps the price accessible, the maintenance minimal, and the reliability high. With 100 meters of water resistance and a mineral crystal, the Dimepiece Edition is still a watch you can actually use day to day without babying it. At a retail price of $239 USD, it’s positioned as a fashion-forward but functional piece that doesn’t require luxury-watch budgets.

Branding That Keeps It Cool

One particularly interesting choice was keeping the dial free of collaboration branding. While the caseback carries co-branding for Timex and Dimepiece, the front remains clean. This means that while the watch has a great backstory, it doesn’t demand that the wearer advertise it — an approach that aligns with Wallner’s own style philosophy. In interviews, she’s talked about wanting to make a watch that was “cool without having to rep a brand,” and that comes through here.

Tapping Into the Trends

The launch of the Dimepiece Edition also taps into two broader trends in the watch world. The first is the resurgence of ‘90s fashion, from rugby shirts to chunky sneakers, which makes a piece like this feel right at home. The second is a growing push toward gender-neutral watch design. While brands have long divided models into men’s and women’s categories — often with questionable assumptions about size, color, and style — there’s now more recognition that these boundaries are outdated. By making a 36 mm sports watch and avoiding stereotypical “ladies’” cues, Timex and Dimepiece are offering something genuinely inclusive.

It’s also hard to ignore the pop culture angle. The original Intrepid’s link to JFK Jr. has only grown more relevant thanks to renewed public interest in his life and style, amplified by upcoming dramatizations like American Love Story. That cultural backdrop gives the Dimepiece Edition an added layer of relevance, bridging past and present in a way few affordable watches manage to pull off.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re into watches for their technical merits, their design, or their place in cultural history, the Timex Intrepid × Dimepiece Edition is a case study in how to do a reissue right. It respects the heritage of the original, makes smart updates for modern wear, and carries a story worth telling — all at a price that keeps it firmly in the “accessible” category. And with its smaller case size, it’s a watch that more people than ever can enjoy on a daily basis.

Timex Intrepid × Dimepiece – Specs:

• Case Diameter: 36 mm
• Case Height: 10 mm
• Case Material: Brushed stainless steel
• Bezel: Timing bezel
• Crystal: Mineral
• Crown Position: 4 o’clock
• Movement: Quartz
• Lug Width: 18 mm
• Water Resistance: 100 m
• Strap: Black Silicone
• Price: $239 / €239