It has taken some time, but I have finally reviewed a Timex Marlin, the retro-styled, mechanically-driven gem from America’s beloved brand. I picked up my Marlin Automatic TW2V44600 40mm in last year’s Black Friday sale. It saved me a nice percentage off the $299 list price, but also relegated its review status to the bottom tier, to be accomplished only after all of my press loaners were dispatched. As such, I kept it boxed and safe so it would be unblemished for the eventual photoshoot, and now, after half a year of procrastination, I pulled it out, wore it all week, and wondered how on earth I could have denied myself for so long.
Timex has always been a fixture in the U.S. watch market, holding a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts. Many of us started our watch obsessions with models like the Weekender, the Ironman, or the various cartoon character watches. By the time I started my collection, the brand catalog was entirely quartz-driven, so while they had some well-designed pieces like the Waterbury collection, there was nothing for the mechanical watch enthusiast. That changed when Timex introduced the wildly successful Marlin series in 2017, initially in a 34mm case with a hand-winding movement. More variants followed, including different case shapes and sizes, as well as quartz and automatic models.
My Marlin runs a Timex-branded Miyota 8215 automatic. It’s a solid, reliable unit (21 jewels, 21.6 bph, 40-hour power reserve). While I don’t usually care to see undecorated innerds, it’s nice to see this one, if only as a reminder that Timex is back in the game.
The polished stainless steel case retains the style of the initial Marlin release, albeit sized up to 40mm wide, __mm long, and 13mm thick. A gloriously huge acrylic crystal accounts for a sizable portion of that last spec, which is just the way I like it. I’m a sucker for those warm retro vibes.
40mm is a bit large for a mid-century styled watch, but when the entire upper section is reflective and falls away from the crystal to the middle of the case, it does tend to shrink things a bit. A recessed crown doesn’t hurt either. I thought it looked pretty darn good on my 6.75″ wrist.
The dial is pure 1960s modernism, with polished, faceted stick markers and silver-on-black cardinal numbers in an angular typeface on a magnificent lime green sunburst surface. Yes, the numbers do tend to disappear sometimes. Just roll with it.
You won’t miss the hands as this Marlin provides a lume glow from the hands and pips above the hour markers. There’s no Indiglo button on this one, just good, old-fashioned lume paint, which does the job nicely.
Timex ships the watch on a 20mm black leather strap from S.B. Foot Tannery, which I replaced right away. There is nothing inherently wrong with the strap. It is of good quality and has handy, quick-release pins. I simply felt the matte finish and untapered cut was a bit heavy given the Marlin’s elegant case and dial. I also knew I’d be far more likely to pair green accessories with brown shoes than black ones. Yes, I’m fussy like that.
I may have been late to the party, but I am glad I added a Marlin automatic to my collection. This is a handsome watch with great vintage charm. I appreciate the low $299 list price, and you can do much better if you hold out for one of Timex’s frequent sales, or just shop around a bit (Amazon has it on sale for $189 right now).
For more information, check out timex.com.
