Vintage Timex Marlin Watches

The original Timex Marlin watch range evolved from the late 1940’s W series (Waterproof) range of watches. The Timex Marlin name was used until the early 1980s when Timex catalogs dropped the Marlin name in favour of the more generic Mechanical categorisation. Water resistant models then continuing the heritage of the original Marlin brand until 1996 when Timex stopped producing manual wind and automatic watches.

What makes a Timex Marlin?

Vintage Timex marlins were originally marketed as being durable waterproof watches. This was achieved through a clever case design that used the pressure of water on the acrylic crystal and case back to maintain water tightness. In addition, rubber gaskets were positioned inside the case to prevent water ingress where the stem enters the case.

Waterproof becomes water resistant

Vintage Timex Marlin watches can be seen with both the word waterproof and water resistant on the dial. Waterproof watches were produced until 1968. At this point the law changed and using “proof” was deemed to be potentially missleading hence the move to “water resistant”.</pNote smaller sprites and some viscounts also carried the waterproof/water resistant labelling. As a result this alone should not be used in a watches identification.

The New Timex Marlin

in 2016 Timex relaunched the Marlin and began producing mechanical watches for the first time since 1996.  Unlike vintage Timex Marlins, new Marlin watches were produced in both manual wind and automatic versions. This saw a resurgence in popularity for Timex’s vintage watch designs which have been upscaled to fit a more modern aesthetic.