The Very Cool And Affordable Timex Marlin Sub-Dial Automatic

The watchmaking industry can be a daunting and dizzying environment, both from a mechanical and financial perspective. Every day we are bombarded with watches costing tens of thousands of dollars and über-complex movements. And to be honest, considering the fact it is our passion and profession, we’re not often surprised by price tags well into the six figures (whether they’re justified or not is a different discussion…) But where does that leave people that are on a budget, or perhaps first-time buyers into mechanical watches? What’s out there that looks cool, yet is very affordable? That’s where watches like the new Timex Marlin Sub-Dial Automatic 39mm come in!

The Marlin collection by Timex has been a long-standing range of affordable watches, with an understated design that makes it fit for the boardroom but also for more casual occasions. New to the range is this Marlin Sub-Dial Automatic 39mm, which offers a new look, and new mechanics, at roughly the same very affordable price point. Coming in at a pleasant 39mm in diameter the steel case has a distinct shape that seems straight from the 1970s. The finishing looks to be quite nice, with vertical brushed surfaces mixed with polished ones. Timex has fitted it with a mineral crystal on top, and the crown is signed with “Marlin”.

This crystal reveals a crisp-looking dial, which comes in silver or black. The dial has a classical railroad-style minute track around the outer edge, with large and very legible numerals for the hours on the inside. The black dial has silver hands, while the two silver-toned versions have either blue or grey hands. The silver and grey combination is specific to the online exclusive model. A bevelled window reveals the date at 3′ o’clock while opposite to that is a 24h subdial. Don’t mistake this for a GMT indication, it is just a running hand on a 24h scale which basically acts like a day/night display. This subdial has a radial texture and a contrasting red hand, adding character to the dial.

Movement-wise, you’re not getting some high-end ultra-complicated calibre obviously. Instead, befitting to the price point of the watch, Timex instals a Miyota 8217 automatic movement. This runs at a frequency of 21,600vph and delivers roughly 42 hours of running time when it’s fully wound by the central rotor. You get a glimpse of it whizzing around through the porthole (with a red line across it) in the caseback, which is also adorned with an etched outline of a Marlin fish.

The new Timex Marlin Sub-Dial Automatic 39mm comprises three different models, one of which is an online exclusive as mentioned. All are worn on a leather strap, in either brown, black or blue (for the online exclusive edition) and fitted with a steel pin buckle. All three are priced at EUR 280 or USD 269, which sounds like an absolute steal, to be honest! The size is great, it looks good, and it has a decent mechanical movement. What more do you want?

For more information, please visit Timex.com.