Timex Marlin Quartz GMT: in review
Vintage travel looks don't have to be pricey
Back in the summer, we brought you word on the new Timex Marlin Quartz GMT (you can see that here). Since then, we’ve spent some time with a review loaner, and have some thoughts on the release.
Timex Marlin Quartz GMT: what it is
As we mentioned in that first article, the Timex Marlin Quartz GMT feels like it could have been lifted directly from the 1960s. This is due to the high-domed acrylic crystal, the minimal stick indices on the dial, and the striped handset. You’ll see lumed pips on the hours at the edge of the dial, and those don’t feel out of place. In fact, it seems like a great idea, add some night time legibility.
But this is where my one major quibble with the design rests. While you’ve got those lumed pips, as well as a lumed GMT hand, the hour and minute hand has no luminous paint at all. So, you can’t really tell time in the darkl you can at best guess where in the 24-hour scale you are, depending on the time zone you’re tracking. In whatever the next version of this watch looks like, hopefully they decide to lume the main hands, or remove all of the other lume. Right now, it feels inconsistent, and doesn’t bring any functionality.
Wearing the watch
That is, however, the one and only complaint I’ve got with the Timex Marlin Quartz GMT. The vintage looks of the design click with my own aesthetic, and I found the watch perfectly legible, and fit into a wide variety of scenarios (office, casual, formal). The 40mm case is definitely more modern, though not oversized. It also helps offset the visuals of the thicker case you’re dealing with. It is surprising that the case is so tall given the quartz movement, but we presume there were good design reasons it ended up this way.
Wrapping things up
Of course, a GMT watch isn’t for everyone. However, if you’re finding yourself traveling, working with people in other time zones, or even just dealing with servers that log everything in UTC, there are plenty of use cases for a GMT watch. With the Timex Marlin Quartz GMT, you definitely won’t break the bank, either. When we first wrote about the watch, there were three versions available. Unfortunately, the one we’ve reviewed here is no longer available. That leaves you with the two bracelet versions, in either gold-tone and a black dial ($239), or silver with a blue dial ($229). It seems that on the Timex site, you can net another 30% off those prices using the code Elf30, so these are even more affordable. Check them out over at timex.com
Timex Marlin Quartz GMT Details
GMT Tracks a 2nd Time Zone
Date Feature
Recycled Stainless Steel Case
Recycled Stainless Steel Bracelet
Sustainable Tanned Natural Leather strap with Quick Release Spring Bars
50M Water Resistance
40mm Case, 20mm Lug
SRP: $199-$239