Timex introduces the automatic Atelier Marine M1a with Swiss movement
Timex spins up a new design chapter today with Timex Atelier, a line meant to carry the Giorgio Galli spirit forward without the throwback gloss. The first watch is the Marine M1a, a serious diver that keeps the focus on proportion and finish.
The case is 41 mm in stainless steel with a skeletonized architecture and a black IP middle case. You get a screw down crown and 200 meters of water resistance. Over it all sits a double curved sapphire crystal with triple layer anti reflective coating. The bezel is unidirectional with a black ceramic insert, elapsed time index, and Swiss Luminova.
The dial is polished black enamel. Applied silver indices and hands are filled with Swiss Luminova. It is clean, high contrast, and easy to read.
Inside is the Swiss made CATENA SA 100 automatic movement. Specs are straightforward: 29 jewels, 36 hour power reserve, 28,800 vph. No gimmicks, just a modern beat and a modest reserve.
The price is the only thing I’m worried about. At $1,050, this isn’t your grandpappy’s Timex. Instead, it’s a piece that is a testament to the brand’s efforts to build something new in an era when brand history matters.
Two versions are coming. One on a stainless bracelet with a custom deployant and self adjustable links. One on a premium NBR rubber strap for a more technical look.
Timex says Atelier is about quiet detail and longevity in design. No loud branding. No busy textures. The Marine M1a fits that brief. It looks like a tool first, a showpiece second.
Timex frames Atelier as a long term project, so expect more models built on the same design logic. Pricing was not included in the release, which matters here, since the materials and specs put this watch into a more serious bracket for the brand.
Bottom line. If you liked the Giorgio Galli approach and wanted a true diver with better materials, the Marine M1a is Timex answering that call. We will reserve judgment on finishing and bracelet quality until we see one in person, but on paper the parts list is strong and the intent is clear.