The "Original Camper," a 2015 reissue of the "Camper" released in the 1980s, originally aimed to feature a manual winding movement to faithfully reproduce the original model, but due to the difficulty of procuring a movement that matched the price, a quartz movement was adopted. The newly released "MK1 Mechanical" inherits the Camper design while updating its functions, and is now equipped with the long-awaited manual winding movement. Pre-orders will begin on Friday, January 8th, and the watch will be available at the end of February on the brand's official website and at major watch specialty stores.
What is a "camper"?
During the Vietnam War, the US military commissioned TIMEX to develop a watch for use on the battlefield. The watch had to meet their high demands: easy to read, accurate, and able to be provided to a large number of soldiers, with the ability to be replaced if it broke. After the Vietnam War, this watch gained popularity as a "military watch approved by the US military," and when it was sold commercially in the 1980s under the name "Camper," it quickly became a best-seller.
What is "Original Camper"?
The original Camper was subsequently redesigned in 1990, and production of the original Camper ceased for nearly a quarter of a century. The project to revive the original Camper originally planned to equip it with a manual-winding movement in order to faithfully reproduce the original, but due to the difficulty of procuring a movement that met its accuracy, reliability, and price, a quartz movement was instead adopted, which offered superior maintenance and accuracy while maintaining the same appearance. In 2015, it was revived for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century as a Japanese project and released under the name "Original Camper."
What is "MK1 Mechanical"?
The MK1 Mechanical is an updated version of the "Original Camper," released in 2015 as a reissue of the "Camper," and the "SS Camper," which evolved its case material to stainless steel. It features a long-awaited manual-wind movement. The traditional "Camper" case, which previously featured integrated lugs, has been replaced with a separate strap, allowing for the use of straps other than the pull-through type. This expands the strap options available.
Timex "MK1 Mechanical"
Manual winding. Stainless steel (diameter 36mm). Water resistant to 5 bar. 26,000 yen (excluding tax)
The MK1 Mechanical, based on a military green color scheme reminiscent of the Camper's origins, retains the original design while being water resistant to 50m and equipped with a 20-jewel hand-wound movement, updating it to modern features.
"Timex" official website
https://www.timexwatch.jp/
Contact info: Ueni Trading Tel.03-5815-3277
