This watch is really great. It is a relatively new watch from Timex. I bought it in November 2001, but it does not seem to be on sale anymore. It is a reproduction of a 1950s version of the Timex Marlin model. The repro recently was sold through a U.S. store called Target. There was an entire line of 'repro' watches from Timex, called the 'Heritage Collection' including one other version of the '50s Marlin, repros of the Electric watches, and some ladies watches. This line was sold through Target, and at some point they were available on the Timex website for sale. Now, they seem to be unavailable from all sources, seemingly no longer for sale anywhere. They sold two Marlin versions. Another is found here. The Marlin on this page is rather faithful to its original, in many respects but of course there will be differences. Firstly, it is a quartz driven watch, not mechanical. The case, not needing to accomodate the old mechanical movement, is a bit thinner. The crown is smaller. Although probably considered design improvements, I do miss the large crown and slightly thicker case. The red seconds hand is straight tapered, while the original was spindle shaped, on both ends. The case shape, size and dimensions are otherwise very close. The dial is most excellent, including very faithful reproduction of the hour numbers, including perfect emulation of the original numer font, a fine black line edging the piant, a slightly recessd outer min/sec chapter, and a metal dial with fine vertical brush markings (more below.)
Timex Marlin Repro Watch
This watch is really great. It is a relatively new watch from Timex. I bought it in November 2001, but it does not seem to be on sale anymore. It is a reproduction of a 1950s version of the Timex Marlin model. The repro recently was sold through a U.S. store called Target. There was an entire line of 'repro' watches from Timex, called the 'Heritage Collection' including one other version of the '50s Marlin, repros of the Electric watches, and some ladies watches. This line was sold through Target, and at some point they were available on the Timex website for sale. Now, they seem to be unavailable from all sources, seemingly no longer for sale anywhere. They sold two Marlin versions. Another is found here. The Marlin on this page is rather faithful to its original, in many respects but of course there will be differences. Firstly, it is a quartz driven watch, not mechanical. The case, not needing to accomodate the old mechanical movement, is a bit thinner. The crown is smaller. Although probably considered design improvements, I do miss the large crown and slightly thicker case. The red seconds hand is straight tapered, while the original was spindle shaped, on both ends. The case shape, size and dimensions are otherwise very close. The dial is most excellent, including very faithful reproduction of the hour numbers, including perfect emulation of the original numer font, a fine black line edging the piant, a slightly recessd outer min/sec chapter, and a metal dial with fine vertical brush markings (more below.)
One thing missing from the dial, which I think is unfortunate is the word WATERPROOF above the 6. On the original, it's written in red, and looks beautiful. The word waterproof had gone out of use years ago, said for legal reasons, and I am sure this is why Timex did not write it on the dial, but I wish they just would have gone ahead and placed it on. They could have issued a disclaimer in the package insert that the WATERPROOF dial designation was historical and ornamental in nature, not truly reflecting a watertight watch. But I am sure legal worries prevailed, which is no surprise in the 'compensation culture' we are increasingly finding ourselves in. Shame, really as it was a beautiful design (more below)
The crystal is lovely, raised acrylic moderately domed, much like the original. Strap is meant to emulate the original I assume, but it's a bit poorly made or maybe it's of poor quality leather, and in spite of some nice touches such as the steel vintage style buckle, I really don't like it much. Maybe the original wasn't so great either, and they're trying to replicate that (doubt it.) One more picture below. For a brief heyday, this repro was available for sale. It generated quite a bit of interest among a small group of vintage Timex collectors, but must not have been a great commercial success, and seems to have fizzled out. Anyway, for what it is, I like it a lot.