Timex Marlin 34mm Movement
Custodio Groves
Luckily, it's back in stock! Not only is this watch attractive, it also costs $199. Yes, you read that correctly: one hundred and ninety-nine dollars. In a world where watch prices only seem to go up, this Timex offered a refreshing option for those of us who can't afford a 5790. While I wasn't able to buy one for myself, I was able to spend a little time with the Marlin a few weeks back, so I thought I'd share my impressions.
The big thing about this watch is the fact that it is a manual-winding watch, and Timex's first in three-and-a-half decades. Timex is no stranger to bringing back old designs, either. There have been lots of heritage models over the years, including those military watches for J. Crew that everyone seemed to be wearing a few years back. But, I digress.
The watch's biggest strength is its dial. The silvered dial is brushed and more than a little reflective. Adding to the luster are the stylized Arabic numerals on the even hours, which are both legible and pleasing. I think it's important to point out here that the detail of the indexes go a long way for the Marlin. While many companies skimp on the details (rhymes with Nathaniel Shmellington) Timex didn't here. They clearly put thought and effort into remaking a vintage model with attention to both detail and affordability.
As I mentioned, the movement is manually-wound, but Timex doesn't really speak too much about the provenance of the particular caliber. I followed up with Timex directly to see where the movement was made and they unfortunately won't confirm. However, it does say "Made in China" on the back, and therefore is likely something produced by Seagull or another Chinese manufacturer. Normally we would shy away from something like that here on HODINKEE, but this is a $200 Timex after all, and I am just excited by the prospect of a manually-wound watch that has good looks and costs less than a plane ticket.
On the wrist, I found the Marlin to be incredibly comfortable. Elegant yet understated, the 34mm steel case looks great on any size wrist and wears well. It has the vintage feel that many of us crave, but without the usually steep price tag. Maybe the best of both worlds? Also, there's not a hint of fauxtina in sight, which is great for some of us (mostly me).
The Marlin is a faithful update to a classic 1960s Timex watch that appears like it was passed down from Grandpa yet still sparkles like new. Its vintage-inspired appeal is for those who admire the beauty of the past, but its modern construction is designed for the wrist of today.
Marlin is a family of watches that were originally manufactured in Great Britain. From the rather sporty Marlin's of the 50's to the more sleek and elegant versions of the 60's, this collection has evolved with endless variations.
The hand-wound Marlin watch was a hit for Timex in the 1960s. Timex produced an extremely successful upgrade to the original cult-classic in 2017 with a bold 34mm vintage powered by the Seagull hand-wound mechanical movement, sensing the time was perfect for a reissue. The timeless sophistication of a sleek mid-century design is combined with stainless steel, domed crystal, and mechanical movements. Every feature has been meticulously reproduced to bring back the watch that "takes a battering and keeps on ticking."
This season, new designs produced in collaboration with Mr. Porter and Todd Snyder are available. To keep the movement from stopping, hand-wound (also known as manual wind) watches must be wound daily. This is ideal for Marlin owners who will almost certainly make putting on their Marlin a morning ritual. Simply wind the watch until the crown feels resistant. This should be done daily to keep the watch from stopping.
The new Timex Marlin looks at ease while you crank up "The Twist," adjust your tie and the perfect accessory for your night out, but it's just as at peace when you pull out your mobile to book your pooled transport. The Marlin, as a true vintage-inspired watch resurrection, stays faithful to its forerunners, flawlessly merging the 1960s vibe into the modern watch wearer's environment.
Staying true to its mid-century modern design and the Marlin DNA, these 34mm versions for the ladies sport a domed crystal, a delicate white leather strap, and rose gold embellishments but are still powered by a hand-wound mechanical movement.
The current Timex Marlin pays homage to the original by using the same durable, hand-wound mechanical movement. Fine craftsmanship and regular winding by the wearer are required for this vintage-inspired watch mechanism. Wind the wristwatch until you feel resistance on the crown, then repeat the process every day to keep the watch from stopping. The manual movement of the Marlin makes it simple to wind whether you're carrying it or wearing it on your wrist. You'll hear the familiar ticking of mechanical movement as your watch keeps time.
The Marlin is composed of robust, high-quality materials, much like any other Timex watch. The Marlin's sleek, vintage-inspired design is complemented by a textured lizard grain pattern on the glossy genuine leather strap. You may easily replace the strap with another 18 mm leather band if you want a change. The Timex Marlin is also water-resistant, so it can survive inevitable encounters with wet weather or splashes of water.
This new iteration of modern classic packs quite a punch with fresh and exciting dials, housed in a 40mm cases with a domed vintage-inspired crystal and a natural leather strap. With a 40-hour power reserve and a solid presence on the wrist this Marlin draws power from the natural motion of your wrist.
The Marlin, Timex's only hand-wound wristwatch, has found commercial and critical success, as well as a new audience of watch lovers who adore the reissue of a true mechanical watch. Say welcome to your new vintage-inspired timepiece. With this elegant updated watch, you may embrace suave, 1950s ad agency vibes as you walk to the office, party, or dinner date.
The trend of vintage Timex models has started to become very popular in Facebook groups, forums, YouTube, eBay and other watch communities with bargain examples being picked up for as little as 30. So what happens when an original piece from the 60s comes up against its re-issued grandson from 2017? Let's find out...
The Timex Marlin was announced late last year with a lot of online publications and press surrounding it. For us here in the UK, there didn't seem to be as much as a demand for the watch as in the USA where the watch was regularly out of stock with resulted in customers starting buying up models listed on eBay for over double the retail price.
But before we jump right into this, a lightning quick 2-minute history lesson. Timex is a brand which is so well known across the globe, whether you were around to remember the first Marlin, you experienced the quartz crisis boom or you were rocking a Timex Calculator watch in the 80s, chances are you most likely have some past experience with Timex. Unsurprisingly, It comes as no shock to hear that Timex has lived a long life which started off with them originally producing clocks with Brass in 1854. Trading under The Waterbury Clock Company, the company's philosophy is still common practice today for mainly popular and up and coming brands, 'Bringing the price of high-end luxury designs down to manageable prices for the American consumer'.
Fast forward to 1887 and after much success with such products, the company became known as Ingersoll Watch Company. Robert and Charles Ingersoll went on to create the Ingersoll Dollar Watch which was 'a handful of value for a pinch of the cost' and ending up selling millions.
Ingersoll then went on to provide military watches during the Great War after some quick thinking from Ingersoll to modify their Midget pocket watch and have a contribution to the revolution of watchmaking as we know it. A final helping hand from Disney and no other than Mickey Mouse in the 1930's helped not only America during post-great depression but the Ingersoll Mickey Mouse Pocket Watch was born and quite possibly saved the company with its extensive success.
In the 1950's Timex became Timex as we know it today. The brand focused on reliability, superior design, durability and of course, value for money. Timex struggled to fit into the 'normal' way of selling watches due to only wanting a 30% mark up on their watches. Up stepped Robert Mohr, who worked hard to stock Timex models in many stores across the globe where you wouldn't commonly see watches for sale. Just 10 years later, sales were reaching in excess of $70 million and Timex were seeing enormous success. It seems then that Timex are amongst the few who originally 'cut out the middle man'.
Timex's history doesn't stop there, and continues well into the digital age. When the quartz crisis hit, Timex adjusted well to this new age of watchmaking and capitalized on it. The new adjustment of using battery powered watches became the norm for Timex even up to present day where the still make affordable, quartz models and see huge success worldwide. It's clear that over the years they experienced many peaks and troughs, but one thing always stayed the same. They always aimed to provide well-made watches at an affordable price for everyone.
The first thing worth mentioning is that the original I've been wearing for the past week is slightly different to the re-issue. The case, dial and hands are slightly different however the core DNA of the watch is the same, so these difference won't be taken into account. The original Marlin was purchased a few months before the re-issue arrived. I had my eye on vintage Timex models for a while, and had noticed their price beginning to increase. Around the same time I picked up this model, I also ordered two other models (I'll save those for another day!) as their price was too good to resist. Unsurprisingly, the original model shares a lot of DNA with the re-issue...
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