Timex Gives Its Best Affordable Automatic Watch the Update It Always Deserved

Since its relaunch in 2017, the Marlin collection has been Timex’s love letter to vintage watch enthusiasts. The collection has grown exponentially, producing retro bangers like the Olive Marlin, Marlin Draper and Marlin Quartz within the last year alone.

For my money, the best model family within the larger Marlin collection is the Jet, and Timex just released the best version yet.

Timex

When the Jet debuted in 2024, it was distinguished by its Hesalite “glass box” crystal and raised flange. Like the Olive and Draper, it was a brand-new design, faithful enough to the 1960s “jet age” to fit right in with the archival-reproduction Marlins.

Timex elaborated on the Jet’s gorgeous dial design, spawning an entire sub-collection with a Carrera-esque chronograph, a quartz day-date and now, a GMT.

The new dial is remarkably similar to the automatic time-and-date model introduced in late 2024, but with a fourth hand and 24-hour track layered on to accommodate the travel-friendly complication.

Timex

While the new Marlin Jet uses the same case shape as the rest of the collection, in the same 40mm size as the chronograph, Timex snuck in a notable update: it’s made of lightweight titanium.

Travel time

The Marlin Jet Titanium Automatic GMT features the characteristic bowl-shaped dial with cutouts for each applied baton hour marker. A 24-hour track is represented by printed odd numerals nestled between each index.

The standard Jet handset is joined by a GMT hand with a big white triangle tip outlined in red. A frameless date window can still be found at 3:00, but, as with the chronograph, the crosshair detail is now only a vertical line down the dial’s center.

Timex

Only one dial color is available with the new model’s introduction. It is a champagne color with a slightly shimmering finish.

The dial is still framed by a raised metallic flange completely enveloped by the Hesalite crystal, with the Marlin word mark engraved below 6:00.

Flight wrist

The Marlin Jet’s new GMT function comes courtesy of the Seiko Caliber NH34A automatic movement, which beats at 3Hz and offers a 41-hour power reserve. It is a “caller” variation, which means the GMT hand is set independently with the crown in the first position.

Timex

The modestly finished movement, featuring vertical brushing and the Timex logo etched into the rotor, is visible through an exhibition caseback with the Jet logo printed on top.

Availability and pricing

Timex named the Jet collection after the 1960s “jet age” design genre that inspired the dial, but you’d be excused for assuming it referred to travel. This new update covers both interpretations with the collection’s most impressive variation yet.

Landing an automatic GMT at this price is great, but it’s the titanium case that sticks the landing. It’s lighter than steel and more corrosion-resistant, resulting in a superior travel watch.

The Timex Marlin Jet Titanium Automatic GMT is now available for preorder from Timex for $549, with orders shipping out in October. That’s a long lead time for Timex, but the Jet collection has a history of selling out in a flash, so it’s likely the Waterbury watchmaker’s way of trying to keep up with demand.

Timex

Timex Marlin Jet titanium Automatic GMT

Specs

Case Size	40mm
Movement	Seiko Caliber NH34A automatic
Water Resistance	50m

• $549 at Timex

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