Timex Debuts New Vintage-Inspired Marlin Automatic Watch

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Timex Debuts New Vintage-Inspired Marlin Automatic Watch


September 10, 2022 by Mike Razak

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It’s beginning to seem like Timex has found some secret formula for exceptional releases. The hits just keep coming, whether it’s the brand’s Q line, Giorgio Galli collection, or its multiple collaborations. While Timex continues to produce cheaper mass-market quartz pieces, it’s clearly put considerable effort and money into watches targeted at enthusiasts. For the latest release, Timex has once again reached into its deep back catalog to add to the already enticing Timex Marlin line. This time, they’ve used a 1969 Viscount for inspiration. The Timex Viscount was a broad line of models produced from the early 1960s to the late 1970s, starting with a 1961 model made in Great Britain. Right in the middle of its production span, the Viscount from which the new model takes its inspiration was produced. It’s clearly a product of its time, with the original being available with gold-tone or chrome plating, a silvery champagne dial, and its unique cardinal hour markers with the numerals printed on them in a decidedly 70s font. As Timex has shown once again, it has been able to translate that design into a modern offering with very few changes.

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The new Timex Marlin Automatic makes a few concessions to modern tastes, which start, perhaps unavoidably, with the case size. The original 34mm case has been sized up to 40mm, with a 13mm thickness and 20mm lugs—the same as the case on all modern Marlin Automatics. The case is fully polished with a pull-out crown and 50m water resistance, which seem perfectly adequate for a watch of this style. Keeping with the vintage vibe, it features a massive domed acrylic crystal and a sloped bezel that continues the crystal’s curve. At 13mm thick, it’s not very slim for a dress watch, but the slightly sloped lugs and the curve of the crystal should help to mitigate that. And because people like to “see the spinny thing,” Timex has also added glass to the caseback, putting the movement on display. The strap on the watch is quick-release black or brown leather sourced from S.B. Foot Tanning Company (the main supplier for Red Wing boots).

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The dial is an unabashed love letter to its forebear. Aside from being scaled for a 40mm case, the only changes made were to offer it in blue and green and add lume to the hands. What remains is the polished sword handset, the sunburst finish, and the unique numerals. Certainly, the draw of this watch will be the numerals: Timex calls these “boxed” numerals, which is as good a way to describe them as any (I’ve seen “telephone numerals,” too, which I don’t entirely understand, but it sounds cooler). While uncommon today (perhaps the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf models are the closest you’d get), I’ve seen a number of run-of-the-mill vintage pieces done this way. The other markers are simple applied batons, and small lume pips and minute hashes trace the periphery. The dial of the new Marlin Automatic continues the vintage aesthetic of the collection, though, for me, this one leans a bit more into it, and for that, I’ll give plaudits.

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The movement in the new Timex Marlin Automatic is not clearly specified by the brand, but the rotor clearly says Miyota, which Timex has used for other recent releases (including the Giorgi Galli S1 and its collab with The James Brand). What we do know is that it has 21 jewels, which means it’s an 8000 series. All Miyota 8000 series have the same specs, just with different layouts: a beat rate of 21,600 vph, a power reserve of 42 hours (though Timex says 40), and factory accuracy of -20/+40 seconds per day. Even though the 8000s are Miyota’s entry-level offering, you also get hacking functionality for precise setting. Is it the best movement? No, but it’s proven to be reliable, easy to service, and, at this price point, quite a nice value.

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VINTAGE-INSPIRED APPEAL

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We’ve called upon the retro dial and hand design of
Timex’s 1969 “Viscount” Collection—exemplified
by a boxed 3, 6, 9, and 12 as well as the sunray dial and
raised indices—and paired it with a rich color palette that
feels both period-correct and completely of-the-moment.
Other mid-century elements similarly support this vintage
look including a domed acrylic crystal lens and
stainless-steel case.

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AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT

Ticking inside is a tried and true 21 jewel automatic
movement, creating a contemporary timepiece that honors
our watchmaking history. Powered by your motion as you
wear the watch, the movement can store a maximum 40
hours of energy. If motionless longer than 40 hours, wind
the watch using the crown until you feel resistance, set it
and place the watch back on your wrist where every
motion will provide energy for the movement.

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  • Product: TW2V44600ZV
  • Case Width: 40 mm
  • Case Material: Stainless Steel
  • Band Color: Black
  • Buckle/Clasp: Buckle
  • Case Color: Stainless Steel
  • Case Finish: Polished
  • Case Shape: Round
  • Case Size: Full Size
  • Crystal/Lens: Mineral Glass
  • Dial Color: Green
  • Dial Markings: Arabic (Partial)
  • Watch Movement: Mechanical Automatic Wind
  • Water Resistance: 50 meters
  • Case Height: 13 mm
  • Strap and Lug Width: 20 mm
  • Attachment Hardware Color: Stainless Steel
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Features

Automatic
Automatic
Stainless Steel Watch Case
Stainless Steel Watch Case
Quick-Release Leather Strap
Quick-Release Leather Strap
Water Resistant to 50 Meters
Water Resistant to 50 Meters

Description

Ticking inside this iteration of our iconic 1960s Marlin® is a tried-and-true 21-jewel automatic movement, creating a contemporary timepiece that honors our watchmaking history. Powered by your motion as you wear the watch, the movement can store a maximum 40 hours of energy. If motionless longer than 40 hours, wind the watch using the crown until you feel resistance, set the time, and place it back on your wrist where every motion will supply the energy. True to our original Marlin design, this watch features the iconic domed acrylic crystal, complemented by a stainless-steel case, green dial, and classic black leather strap sourced from the S.B. Foot Tanning Company.

Product User Manual

 
:wink:A very clean, and neat, standard size, automatic, three hand, in some superb executions, from Timex. :dance2: Thanks for posting this, Mike.:hat:
 
:wink:A very clean, and neat, standard size, automatic, three hand, in some superb executions, from Timex. :dance2: Thanks for posting this, Mike.:hat:
URBAN GENTRY had me swallow the hook on the whole marlin story... bought plenty re-furbs...lots of FRANKENTYMES...wierd small sizes... shiny shiny

but THE TIMEX MARLIN is a cool rabbit whole ...then & now
 

Timex Marlin 40mm​

Wristwatch Dave
woyGvMqeUGfbvUiY-m9HINeMdIpbrcs0TM71U0ruOrgJZl4ik5YN2aT9RRkLZNJwXTDRm8oTlAM=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj

Mar 24, 2023

Review of the charming retro styled Timex Marlin Automatic - 40mm/With quality leather strap.

 
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