Keeping Time with J.Crew's Classic Timex Watch {double take}

This blog has discussed J.Crew's Timex Military Watch (Item 10884; $150.00) a number of times (refer here, here, & here, as a few examples).

If you flip through J.Crew's catalog, you will have noticed that this watch is *the* accessory to have. In part, thanks to the delicious shades that the Watch Strap (Item 19474; $20.00) comes in, like Neon Rose and Birch.

My initial thought when the watch first came out is that I like it *and* that it is very {very} pricey for a Timex. However, over time I fell in love with it. I tried to find a cheaper alternative online, as well as with visits to Wal-Mart and Target, but found nothing close.

Between the fantastic styling from J.Crew's holiday catalogs & Summerilla's "Sum Sunshine" blog (refer here, here , & here, as some examples), I caved in. I ended up not only getting the watch at J.Crew, but some of the watch straps (in gorgeous Authentic Red & stunning Bronzed Biege).

Sorry for the rambling on. Now here comes the point of this post... A big "thanks!" to Danielle who found a J.Crew-Timex comparable watch for a fraction of the price, from a post over at Trip's "A Trip Down South" blog (click here).

The watch on the left is J.Crew's version. The watch on the right is the Squad Leader Watch (Item #16163; $31.99) from U.S. Calvalry. From the images, the watches are remarkably similar. Even better? Danielle shares that the bands for both watches measure 18mm", so one could use J.Crew's watch straps {in super pretty shades} for the Squad Leader Watch.

What are your thoughts on the Timex & Squad Leader watches? Do you like the style? Do you own either one? If so, please share! :)