Timex Marlin 40mm Neo Classic Chronograph – $279
It’s decidedly vintage looking. But if it also feels recently familiar, that’s because it probably is:
Dan Henry – $300 | Omega – $10,300 | Tissot – $2400
Dressy-ish chronographs with both a telemeter and tachymeter have been around for a lonnnng time. And while those features may never truly get used here in the 21st century (will anyone truly be measuring how far away a lightning strike is while also determining how fast their horse/locomotive/other non-speedometer equipped mode of transport is going?) they certainly look cool. And those dueling outside/swirling inside scales have had a bit of a renaissance over the last few years. So no, the Marlin Neo Classic isn’t all that new, even as the trend is concerned. But it does get a lot right.
40mm case diameter. 13mm thick.
20mm strap width with quick release springbars.
40mm diameter is the sweet spot for many. It’s got presence, and while the 13mm thickness may fight to get under a few shirt cuffs, it’s also not a cinder block either(looking at you, 42mm diameter / 13.85mm thick Tissot.) The alternating cream and silver on the dial is a cool choice, and the blue hands/Arabic numerals sure look the part. The quick release spring bars on the black leather strap are also a plus, as is the super common 20mm lug width (purchasers may already have a 20mm brown leather strap on hand to swap in when needed.)
Crystal is acrylic, so be prepared for scratches.
Yet…
- The crystal is acrylic. So it’ll scratch. Be ready with a tube of polywatch for when it gets nicked.
- It’s not cheap. Creeping up on $300 for a Timex quartz chrono, albeit in Gatsby-esque “clothes,” is a lot of cash. But… (sees gas pumps two blocks away with a $5 on the sign)… thems be the times.
Could they sell out ASAP like the also recently released Timex Lexington? Eh. Not seeing that. So we’ll keep an eye out for any sales. But if past is prologue, it could take a bit before these start to get included in their semi-regular 20% – 30% off select watches deals (like, a year maybe?) And who knows if/when they’ll ever trickle on over to the gray market for a discount.
That’s all.
Carry on.
