Todd Snyder x Timex Marlin Mesh
A co-branded release from Timex
Timex has just released a mid-century vintage beauty but does it deserve its $199 price tag?
Coming in three colorways (blue, pink, silver) the new Marlin Mesh is a 34mm quartz watch with attractive applied Roman numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9.
Powering this vintage-inspired piece is a quartz movement and protecting the dial is a domed acrylic crystal. Timex usually favor their acrylics which helps keep the watches affordable but it’s worth noting that the good Chinese brands around this same price point (and cheaper) will typically use sapphire crystal.
In any other watch I might dock points for an acrylic crystal at $200, however, it fits the watch’s vintage characteristics so I can’t fault Timex for that.
18mm lugs hold the quick release mesh strap to the watch and I have to say - it looks great. If you’ve never worn a mesh bracelet before I highly recommend them. Infinitely customizable and comfortable, they can really elevate the look of a dress watch or vintage-inspired watch like this one.
The watch is also stainless steel - no Casio resin here.
Overall I think the color options are stellar, the bracelet looks great, and the dial is gorgeous.
So why am I hesitant on the price?
For $85 more the Orient Bambino Version 6 sits as a silent competitor. In a vacuum, the Todd Snyder x Timex Marlin Mesh is a decent value watch, but we’re not in a vacuum. Orient exists, Chinese watch brands exist.
The Orient Bambino Version 6 is a 40mm automatic, powered by an in-house movement and sports a date function. Again, no sapphire crystal, but the value proposition is clear: a 40 hour power reserve automatic with higher levels of finishing and date function for $85 more.
The Orient Bambino Version 7 improves on this design by shrinking it to a more traditional (or perhaps modern, in the perspective of the Todd Snyder x Timex) 38mm and a compact 44mm lug to lug, though costs about $100 more.
Quartz has its place (and there’s nothing wrong with it) but if you can stretch the extra $100, the Bambino seems the better value.
The Bottom Line
All that being said, watches are superfluous purchases at the end of the day. We like what we like. The benefit of enjoying and collecting affordable watches is that we might not have to make difficult decisions. This isn’t a comparison between a Tudor and an Omega. Get both. Or one. Or none!