Timex shows us the right way to dig around in one’s archives.
I’ll be fair, though. It’s not like every other brand is failing miserably at that. Seiko has been doing an excellent job riffling through its diver’s catalogue over the years. Longines, on the other hand, continues to launch jaw-dropping reissues. For Timex though, the brand seems pretty committed to producing reissues over the long run instead of releasing a vintage show-stopper and calling it a day.
As evidence, the Timex MK1 Mechanical is just one of many models that the brand has released as part of its Archive Project. This particular model is said to be base on the Timex Camper models from the 1980s.
And what a job they’ve done in terms of replicating that old-school look and vibe of the original. Check out this piece by Hodinkee and you’ll know what I mean.
“So, why hype it up now when the Timex MK1 isn’t exactly new?”
It all boils down to one new word in its official name, ‘Mechanical’. Yes, the latest addition to the range sees the Timex MK1 Mechanical get a… well, mechanical hand-wound movement. The 20-jeweled calibre comes cased up inside an incredibly apt 36 mm stainless steel case. Water resistance is rated at a modest 50 m.
The dial screams field watch as it features an inner 24-hour track within the printed bold, clear Arabic hour markers. Elsewhere, the lumed baton hands are partnered to a simple, lollipop-tipped (also lumed) seconds hand. Capping the field watch aesthetics off is the inclusion of an olive/dark green dial. Additional lume plots are found at the base of each hour marker.
Moving on, the stock strap is equally simple in its execution. An 18 mm-wide, two-piece fabric strap finished in the same shade of olive is what you’ll get. Oh, and that line of grey that runs the entire length of the strap really echoes the colour scheme of the watch and gives it a nice pop. That’s not all, folks! Timex confirms that the straps will come with quick-release spring bars so popping out the stock strap should be a walk in the park. I would’ve loved drilled lugs but hey… Can’t have everything, right?
“So, how much?”
What I love most about Timex is the fact that they churn out fantastic watches at affordable prices. I mean, we’re talking about a brand that has a lot of weight within the horological community here. It’s not a fashion brand, that’s for sure. And while it may be easy for Timex to bank on their heritage and climb the price tag ladder, they refuse to do so and instead continue to fly the flag high for “gateway watches”.
With the Timex Archive MK1 Mechanical, they’ve done it again. The watch is available for purchase now at a wallet-friendly $185 (RM786).
Picture(s) credit goes out to @heritagetimex,@timex
Is the M1 Timex Mechanical run on a Chinese brand called Seagull? Interested to know. I here Seagull is a respected movement in asia.
Hey, Carlos! Yes, I believe you are correct on that front! Although it’s difficult to get an official word out of Timex, most experts have noted that it runs on a 20-jewel Seagull ST6* movement. As far as it being a “respected movement”… I can’t speak for everyone in Asia but I can wager it’s a decent enough budget movement.
*edited from a previous error. My apologies!
do you mean ST6 ?
Yes, you’re right, Dan! My bad. Am not familiar enough with Sea-Gull movements. Upon further reading, the ST6 is an automatic but it would appear Timex has modified it to fit their hand-winding requirements.
Thank you so much for the spot!
Is the M1 Timex Mechanical run on a Chinese brand called Seagull? Interested to know. I hear Seagull is a respected movement in asia.
Does this watch run on a Chinese movement called Seagull?
I thought I read it somewhere.