I have a quick anecdote about the Timex Marlin. A few months ago, a friend of mine who is not particularly interested in watches asked for my opinion on a series of timepieces via text message. Some newsletter he was subscribed to had released a list of watches to consider at a variety of price points, and he wanted my take on which watch was ?better? in each category. In the least expensive segment, a Timex Marlin was paired up against a quartz fashion watch of some kind that was (literally) unmemorable, so I told him my preference was the Timex. Watch pairs kept coming, and prices rose, and I?d choose a favorite, but to be honest none of the watches he was showing me were particularly striking. Lots of homages, I think I saw an Invicta. You get the idea. Once he was tapped out (at a price in the low low four figures if I recall correctly) I let him know that of all the watches he showed me, the Marlin was easily the best. 
Now, that?s certainly a commentary on the drab selection of watches in this roundup, which was clearly not curated by collectors or enthusiasts, but more likely a marketing team placing affiliate links. But I think it also says something about the success of the Marlin, which to my mind has entered the realm of a minor modern classic, with good looks inspired by midcentury watch design and the pedigree of a historic, and still great, American watch brand. Now, Timex has unveiled a pair of new Marlins with some updated styling cues that feel l...