True North Watch Company, founded by photographer Shane Russeck, makes watches inspired by vintage designs and intended to be worn every day. Eric Wind brings a different kind of expertise to the partnership: he founded Wind Vintage after years working with significant vintage watches, including at Christie’s and Hodinkee.  The two have already collaborated on three Vintage Rally Timers. Their fourth, the limited-edition Dreamsicle, might be the most playful yet, pairing a pale orange dial with pastel colors inspired in part by Eric’s daughters.

The Dreamsicle measures 37 mm across, 44 mm from lug to lug, and 13.8 mm thick, with a 20 mm lug width. Its 316L stainless steel case comes on an Oyster-style bracelet, while a domed sapphire-coated mineral crystal and sapphire-coated bezel add to its vintage profile. Inside is Seiko’s VK63 mechaquartz movement.  A battery powers both the timekeeping and chronograph, while mechanical components give the stopwatch pushers a satisfying click and return its hands instantly to zero when reset. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters – OK for some water exposure but like all water resistant watches, stay away from hot water or steam.  True North is making 1,986 examples—a nod to Eric’s birth year—and the price is $490.

So who is the Dreamsicle for?

First, I think vintage watch enthusiasts are the target audience.  Particularly fans of vintage Rolex Daytonas, who will recognize the design language immediately. The chronograph layout, bezel, case shape, and Oyster-style bracelet evoke the watches that made so many of us fall in love with vintage chronographs. But wearing a rare vintage watch every day can come with a certain amount of worry.  Often Easily damaged.  NOT easily repaired or replaced.  The Dreamsicle offers a more relaxed way to enjoy that look. Its pastel dial gives the familiar racing-watch formula a fresh personality, and it clearly doesn’t take itself too seriously.

I also think it’s an excellent choice for the vintage-curious watch enthusiast. If you usually wear modern watches and assume anything under 40 mm will look too small, this is a good opportunity to challenge that assumption. Spoiler: the 37 mm Dreamsicle looks fantastic on my seven-inch wrist. The 44 mm lug-to-lug length helps explain why it wears so well, and I suspect plenty of other modern-watch wearers will be pleasantly surprised by it too.  The Oyster style bracelet is sized with friction pin links, and a period correct fold over snap clasp that has a micro adjust pin to fine tune the fit.

Then there are younger analog enthusiasts: people drawn to the experience of shooting film, playing vinyl records, and wearing objects with a sense of history. The Dreamsicle speaks to that interest without asking its owner to take on the cost or upkeep of a vintage mechanical chronograph. The quartz-based movement makes it straightforward to live with, while the colors make it feel current. It’s an approachable way to explore vintage watch style and still wear something distinctly your own.   The watch even comes in quality packaging that belies its $490 price.

Apparently, the Dreamsicle’s appeal even reaches Vatican City. Eric says he gave Pope Leo XIV a Vintage Rally Timer IV for his birthday and that seeing the watch bring a smile to the Pope’s face was an unforgettable moment. That’s a lovely example of what these collaborations do so well: they make watches fun, whoever happens to be looking at one.

What I appreciate most about Eric Wind’s True North collaborations is the invitation they extend.  Eric knows the rare and serious end of vintage collecting as well as anyone, yet he keeps finding ways to make watches feel fun and welcoming to a new generation of enthusiasts.  The Dreamsicle captures that spirit beautifully. It goes on sale Friday, October 2, 2026, at 1 p.m. Eastern at True North Watch Company for $490.

Disclosure: Eric Wind provided the watch to me as a gift. The opinions in this review are my own.