Quick Verdict
The Marlin Automatic is bought for how it looks rather than what it specifies. The mid-century case, the boxed numerals and the domed acrylic crystal produce something that reads as a genuine vintage watch, at a price where most automatics read as generic.
At a Glance
- Street price
- $229
- Movement type
- Automatic
- Power reserve
- Approximately 40 hours
- Case diameter
- 40 mm
- Lug-to-lug
- —
- Crystal
- Domed acrylic
- Water resistance
- 50 m (164 ft)
Design
A faithful mid-century American dress design: a slim polished bezel, a domed acrylic crystal and a symmetrical dial with no date. Timex has reproduced the proportions carefully, and the result does not look like a modern watch pretending to be old.
Movement
A 21-jewel automatic with roughly 40 hours of reserve, visible through the exhibition caseback. Timex does not publish a rate specification, which is the main gap in the data for this watch.
Build Quality
The case is well finished for the price, though the material feels lighter than the steel used by the Japanese and Swiss brands here. The acrylic crystal is period-correct and will scratch — it also polishes out with a cloth and a mild abrasive.
Dial
A green sunray base under a domed acrylic crystal, with boxed numerals at twelve, three, six and nine, applied batons between them and no date. The sunburst finish is what the domed crystal is there to distort, and the symmetry of a dateless layout is what makes the design read as period-correct rather than retro-styled.
Bracelet & Strap
A black leather strap on 20 mm lugs, closed with a pin buckle. The standard lug width means replacements are easy to find.
Comfort & Wearability
13 mm of height on a 40 mm case is tall for a dress watch, and most of that is the domed crystal rather than the case band. The thin bezel gives it more dial presence than 40 mm suggests. Timex does not publish a lug-to-lug figure or a weight.
Accuracy
Timex does not publish a rate specification for this movement, which is a meaningful omission when every other brand in this database does.
What we like
What we like
- A genuinely period-correct mid-century case shape
- Acrylic crystal gives the warm, slightly distorted look of a vintage watch
- Automatic movement at a price where quartz is the norm
- Exhibition caseback over the rotor
What we don't like
- Acrylic scratches easily, though it also polishes out
- 13 mm of height on a 40 mm dress case
- 50 m water resistance
- Timex does not publish an accuracy specification for the movement
Who Should Buy It?
Anyone who wants a vintage-looking dress watch for under $250, and anyone who prefers the warmth of acrylic to the clinical clarity of sapphire.
Who Should Skip It?
Skip it if you want a published accuracy figure or a scratch-resistant crystal. The Orient Bambino is the more rational purchase; the Marlin is the more charming one.
Best Alternatives
Three watches worth weighing up before you commit.
How It Compares
Timex Marlin Automatic
1 categories won
Orient Bambino Version 2
4 categories won
- Street price
- $229
- $145Winner
- Movement type
- Automatic
- Automatic
- Caliber
- 21-jewel automatic
- F6724
- Power reserve
- Approximately 40 hoursEven
- 40 hoursEven
- Stated accuracy
- Not published
- -25 to +35 seconds per day (Orient specification)
- Case diameter
- 40 mm
- 40.5 mm
- Case thickness
- 13 mm
- 12.2 mmWinner
- Lug-to-lug
- —
- 47 mm
- Crystal
- Domed acrylic
- Domed mineralWinner
- Water resistance
- 50 m (164 ft)Winner
- 30 m (98 ft)
- Bracelet / strap
- Black leather strap
- Brown leather strap
- Weight
- Not published
- 68 g
- Style
- Dress · Everyday
- Dress · Everyday
- Recommended wrist
- Small · Medium
- Small · Medium
- Selection Score
- 76 / 100
- 82 / 100Winner
Final Verdict
The best-looking watch under $250 in this database and the one with the least specification behind it. Buy it knowing that is the trade.
Specifications
- Brand
- Timex
- Model
- Marlin Automatic
- Reference
- TW2V44600
- Collection
- Marlin
- Street price
- $229
- MSRP
- $249
- Movement type
- Automatic
- Movement
- Automatic, 21 jewels
- Caliber
- 21-jewel automatic
- Power reserve
- Approximately 40 hours
- Stated accuracy
- Not published
- Balance spring
- Not published
- Case diameter
- 40 mm
- Case thickness
- 13 mm
- Lug-to-lug
- —
- Lug width
- 20 mm
- Weight
- Not published
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Crystal
- Domed acrylic
- Water resistance
- 50 m (164 ft)
- Dial colours
- Green sunray
- Bracelet / strap
- Black leather strap
- Bracelet material
- Leather
- Clasp
- Pin buckle
- Date
- No
- GMT
- No
- Chronograph
- No
- Style
- Dress · Everyday
- Recommended wrist
- Small · Medium
- Country of origin
- United States
- Released
- 2019
- Selection Score
- 76 / 100
Score Breakdown
- 25%21.0
Value
- 20%13.6
Movement
- 15%10.5
Build Quality
- 15%12.9
Design
- 10%8.6
Wearability
- 10%6.0
Features
- 5%3.7
Brand & Ownership
Seven pillars, each rated 0–10 and weighted as shown. The total is the sum of the weighted ratings — the headline number can never disagree with its own breakdown.
Ratings are demo data pending editorial review.
Where to Buy
Selection Time is reader-supported. If you buy through a link on this page we may earn a commission. This never affects our scores or what we recommend.
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Timex
$249 · Price checked August 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the acrylic crystal scratch badly?
Acrylic scratches far more easily than sapphire, but unlike sapphire the scratches can be polished out at home with a mild abrasive. It is a maintenance trade rather than permanent damage.
Is there a hand-wound Marlin?
Timex produces a hand-wound Marlin in a smaller 34 mm case alongside the automatic references.
