Nixon Finally Opens a Retail Space in Encinitas
Cofounder Chad DiNenna
After expanding to over 90 countries, Nixon—the accessories brand beloved by SoCal surfers and rockers—has finally opened a retail space where it all began. Their new Encinitas outpost features a custom watch bar much like ones in its New York, London, and Paris locations. The timepiece personalization process is pretty straightforward, explains cofounder Chad DiNenna: Choose your model (the Mission, 51-30, Time Teller, or Sentry), case finish (stainless steel or leather band), bezel, and dial, and pick an optional engraving for the back.
There are also plenty of readymade timepieces to choose from, as well as travel bags, backpacks, clothing, and other accessories. And those with deeper pockets—or any interest in music—should look to Nixon’s Rock LTD collection.
The limited-edition tickers are banded with material from leather jackets, pants, guitar straps, and other apparel donated by some of the biggest names in music, like Ringo Starr, Macklemore, Steven Tyler, and Keith Richards.
Celebrity collaborations aside, Nixon does keep some things local. The Rock LTD collection includes a watch made from one of San Diego skate icon Tony Hawk’s leather jackets, and Nixon is launching a new line with Solana Beach artist Andy Davis this spring.
Nixon Finally Opens a Retail Space in Encinitas
Nixon hats, shirts, and bags on display amid the timepieces
DiNenna is a long tick away from his teenage beginnings in the business when he worked at a surf shop, upcycling wetsuits into wristbands for extra cash.
“I’ve always had a watch on my wrist and always had an interest in watches,” he says. “It wasn’t until I met [cofounder Andy Laats] when this career came into the picture. I saw an idea. He saw a business. Together we created something special… from 900 square feet in Encinitas.”
701 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
Nixon Finally Opens a Retail Space in Encinitas
Photos by Jenny Siegwart
