The Watch That Saved Timex Is Now Even More Affordable and Reliable

Timex reversed its fortunes in 2017 with the revival of a then-shockingly small dress watch from the 1960s.

The Marlin and its subsequent parade of iterations made Timex a go-to destination for affordable dress watches fit for daily wear.

Timex

Timex has made the Marlin more affordable and reliable than ever by updating the collection’s swankiest design with a quartz movement.

The dial is based on the Marlin California, introduced in 2020, but the definitive Roman numerals have been replaced with uniform Arabic numerals.

While the California dial was half the appeal for watch enthusiasts, the design is still classically beautiful with traditional numerals.

Timex

The new Marlin Quartz retains the same 34mm polished stainless steel case from the original Marlin reissue.

Like the 2017 design, it has an embossed crocodile-patterned leather pin-buckle strap, but it has been upgraded with a slightly different texture and quick-release pins.

An ode to the original

The new Marlin Quartz is debuting with two color options. One mirrors the original Marlin with a steel case and dial, decorated with silver-tone indices and hands.

Timex

It comes on a black embossed strap like the first few modern Marlin references. This black and steel combination has been a reference point throughout the Marlin’s existence.

The other debut option is a callback to one of the collection’s first colorful references, released in 2019.

One of the many Todd Snyder exclusives, it featured a British Racing Green dial with a gold-tone case, indices and hands, complete with a dark brown embossed leather strap.

Timex

Mechanical and automatic movements were a defining feature and primary draw of the Marlin collection in its early years. Timex is wise to use two of its most successful color schemes to introduce a quartz-powered version to the regular lineup.

Going electric

As successful and adored as the Marlin collection is, it still has flaws. One of the prevailing complaints is with the Chinese-manufactured mechanical movement.

Timex

Although Timex has never publicly confirmed this, all hand-wound Marlins likely use Sea-gull movements, which have a less-than-reliable reputation. The trade-off is affordability, and the performance is as good as expected from a $200 watch.

Of course, if you’re willing to overlook the lurching seconds hand, a quartz movement is far more reliable and accurate than a bargain mechanical or automatic caliber.

While it slightly diminishes the retro appeal of the Marlin collection, the new quartz movement is sure to be less of a hassle for owners in the long run.

Timex

This isn’t the first 34mm Marlin dress watch with a quartz movement. That distinction belongs to a limited-edition Todd Snyder exclusive (surprise, surprise) released in 2019. It was also the first non-California dial to use the Marlin dauphine hands, and cost $158.

Adding a quartz version of the Marlin reissue is brilliant because it makes the collection as accessible as ever. It is now $40 cheaper than the 34mm hand-wound references and $90 less than the automatic references.

However, I really wish Timex had kept the California dial.

Availability and price

The Timex Marlin Quartz is available now from Timex for $159.

Only two colors are available, but Timex will certainly add more in the coming months.

Timex

Timex Marlin Quartz

Specs

Case Size	34mm
Movement	Quartz
Water Resistance	30m

• $159 at Timex

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