Todd snyder’s retro revival: a surprisingly sharp take on miami cool

The watches weren’t the first thing that caught my eye at the Todd Snyder spring/summer 2026 show – it was the effortless, sun-drenched menswear. But then I spotted them: a series of rectangular dress watches that, frankly, felt like a much-needed antidote to the prevailing obsession with oversized, statement pieces.

A quiet refinement, rooted in the '80s

Let’s be clear, these aren’t trying to be the next limited-edition, wrist-checking status symbol. And that’s precisely why they’re brilliant. For too long, the rectangular dress watch has fallen into the suffocating shadow of the Cartier Tank, replicating a formula without offering anything genuinely new. Todd Snyder and Timex, however, have unearthed something far more interesting – a direct inspiration from Miami and Cuba in the 1980s and ’50s.

Think warm-weather suits, the scent of salt air, and a subtle swagger. The color palette – a gorgeous, tanned leather and a sophisticated all-black – perfectly embodies that aesthetic. But the standout is undoubtedly the black strap paired with a vibrant yellow face; it’s a bold, unapologetic detail that immediately transports you to a bygone era of excess and style.

It’s a fascinating divergence from the predictable. These aren’t cocaine-fueled escapades, like Billy Corben’s documentaries depict – they’re the watches worn by the men who defined that Miami: the guys confidently navigating the city’s nightlife. A watch for a suited-up club night, exactly what I need right now. Snyder and Timex haven’t simply replicated a classic; they’ve reimagined it with a distinctly contemporary edge, proving that sometimes, the most impactful designs are the ones that quietly defy expectations.