In Review: The Timex Marlin Draper Automatic 37mm

Timex Draper Automatic – $309

• model: TW2Y65000
• size: 37mm case diameter, 12.5mm thick, 43.5mm lug to lug, 18mm lug width
• movement: Japanese Miyota 8205
• water resistance: 50m
• crystal: Mineral
• etc: Barrel shaped case. Day & Date window. Exhibition caseback. Fully brushed bracelet with quick release spring bars and butterfly clasp.
• sales? Yes, but it’s rare when these are actually included in a promotion.
• TL;DR Grade: A-. Would have liked to have seen a 40mm version too. Overall, it’s an affordable alternative to Omega’s Aqua Terra.

Also made with a white dial on a leather strap for $279.
But if you get the black dial/bracelet, and get an aftermarket
quick release brown leather strap, you’ll be covered for all scenarios.

Draper?

As in… Don?

Brushed bracelet with mainly brushed case. Polished chamfers and bezel.

Makes sense. It looks like something you’d see on the wrist of a Mad Men character. Although they’d probably be wearing something from a much (much) more expensive brand. But that’s the genius of the last few years of Timex new releases. Terrific styling. Fair prices. Unpretentious brand. And they’re often inspired by designs from their (or someone else’s) back catalog. So you can get heritage looks without the “old money” price tag.

Miyota automatic movement. Exhibition caseback.

This new Draper may have mid-century lineage, but at the time of its release, it leans into all the current things going on in the watch world. Smaller case sizes are in. As are less-is-more GADA (go anywhere do anything) watches. The fact that it comes on a versatile bracelet with quick release pins is also as a huge bonus, as that makes for easy swap outs of the bracelet for a leather (or even fabric) strap.

Barrel shaped case. Mineral crystal.

The made in Japan Miyota 8205 movement is a standard. It hacks, it hand winds, and the day AND date option is nice to have if you’re someone who has too many irons in the fire (what’s the date? wait, what DAY is it? where am I? are there wolves after me?) The barrel shaped case is interesting without getting weird, and the overall design is dead simple. It should go with everything, and go with everything well.

37mm case diameter on a 7.25″ wrist

The butterfly style clasp may take some getting used to for those of us who are more familiar with standard style clasps, but the bracelet is comfortable, and the link design/quantity allows for good wrist movement. The listed case heigh of 12.5mm isn’t razor thin, but the case architecture seems to help it wear thinner than that. It should slide under most shirt cuffs without issue.

In an era where loud seems to win, Timex has made a watch with quiet but still powerful style. It’s sleek, interesting, and versatile.

Now if they could just put it on sale a little more often. Not all of us are making “I have my own office with a door” money.