CHEAP BASTARD: The Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm affordably scratches the green itch

David Smiedt

EDITOR’S NOTE: Whether David is a bastard is still up for debate, but the fact he is cheap is irrefutable. Kidding aside, David loves solid watches at lower price points and therefore is always on the hunt for lesser discussed hidden gems in the under A$500 category. His latest pick: The Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm

Two apologies to start this column. Firstly, the watch itself exceeds our budget mandate by $14. But for the price of one of those craft beers named after a combination of whimsical emotion and old-timey job – The Priapic Blacksmith, The Maudlin Chimneysweep and so on – there is genuine value on offer here. The second apology is to the other watch wearers in the room who may well have spent at least ten times as much for half the attention. Because here’s the thing with Timex. It’s a legit heritage brand with a history stretching back to 1854 – give or take an insolvency.

As such, it has a deep catalogue to trawl for new product and the Marlin range has delivered paydirt. What started with the sophisticated rebirth of the Marlin Hand Wound 34mm dress watch – still available at $399.95 and pairing well with suit or tuxedo – has developed into what marketing types would call a vertical. The first thing to note about the 40mm edition currently occupying my wrist estate is the colour of the dial.

Green is having quite the horological moment right now and this one sits between olive and moss. In other words, striking and versatile but not leering into “check me out mofos” territory. Some specs then. The 40mm polished stainless-steel case is anchored by gently curved lugs and a black leather strap with a buckle courtesy of the SB Foot Tanning Company.

The case, meanwhile, is topped with hard-wearing acrylic, measures 13mm in height, has a fluted crown and includes a transparent caseback to satisfy your voyeuristic tendencies.

It provides a glimpse into the 21-jewel automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve and its engine is a Miyota Caliber 8215. Up top is where the action is and this face is a beauty for the bucks.

Tapping into the aesthetic of the “Viscount” model often sported on the Timex All-Star Jazz Show (which between 1957 and 1959), the quarter hour Arabic numerals are set within black rectangles against the sundial background. The rest of of the hour markers are slivers of stainless steel which complement the sweep of the second hand while the hour and minute hands taper to arrow points reminiscent of the shape of the Empire State Building. No apologies required.

For more information on the Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm, click here. Price: A$514