After nearly six years of the Giorgio Galli series establishing Timex’s credibility in the accessible luxury category, the brand is ready to graduate. The new Timex Atelier Marine M1A shows the brand flexing design muscles that have been strengthening since Galli first joined the company through Nautica collaborations in the ’90s. But unlike the Galli series, which looked more like luxury dress watches, the Marine M1A feels more like a shift in design language that can now appeal to every wearer.
A Diver That Earns Its Stripes
The Marine M1A tackles the dive watch category with a fresh perspective while still maintaining classic features. For the 41mm stainless steel case, Timex carved out sections of the lugs and midcase, then coated the latter in black IP for visual contrast.
You still get a unidirectional ceramic bezel insert with a 60-minute scale. But like the brand has done with some of its other divers (think the Deepwater Reef Titanium), the bezel numerals have been filled with Swiss LumiNova. This isn’t exclusive to Timex but is slowly becoming a sort of signature of their better dive watches. The solid 200m of water resistance is achieved thanks to the screw-down crown, which is protected by a pair of guards.
The Enamel Gambit
Under a sapphire crystal, the dial features black enamel, which immediately elevates the Marine M1A above others in this price point. Enamel dials typically appear on watches costing several times more, yet Timex managed to incorporate it while keeping the price around $1,000. The brushed silver ring surrounding the enamel center gives the Marine depth while creating a buffer between the dial and the angled minutes ring on the outside. The dimensionality expands to the hour markers and lancer hands as well, which are all filled with Super-LumiNova too.
Visible through the caseback, the Swiss-made Catena SA100 automatic movement visible shows Geneva stripes and perlage finishing and has 36 hours power reserve.
Design Language Evolution
Despite the change in category, the Marine M1A is still somewhat of an evolution of the Galli series rather than an total departure. The self-adjustable bracelet system, which debuted on the Galli S2Ti, returns here allowing you to resize the band tool-free. Likewise, the two strap options — steel bracelet or NBR rubber — both come with custom deployant clasps.
Spec Sheet
Model: Timex Atelier Marine M1A
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Size: 41mm
Case Thickness: 13mm
Movement: Catena SA100 automatic
Water Resistance: 200m
Crystal: Double-curved sapphire with triple-layer AR coating
Dial: Black enamel
Strap Options: Steel bracelet or NBR rubber strap
Limited Edition?: No
Pricing & Availability
The Marine M1A is available now for $950 on rubber strap or $1,050 on bracelet, exclusively through Timex’s website.
Recap
Timex Atelier Marine M1A
The Timex Atelier Marine M1A marks the brand’s confident step beyond the Giorgio Galli series, delivering a compelling dive watch with an enamel dial and Swiss movement for under $1,000
