Timex has just launched the GMT Première M1a. It’s the newest addition to its Atelier line, and it’s a genuinely beautiful watch.
I’ll be upfront: I’m a big fan of the Atelier line. And after reviewing the Giorgio Galli S2Ti last year, I’ve become a fan of Timex’s more expensive watches in general.
Timex has been on a bit of a roll recently too, with a string of genuinely cool, hyped watches.
At 38mm, it’s smaller than most of the Atelier collection, but the DNA is the same. It’s got all of the clean lines, structural case, and a generally more elegant, grown-up design than you’d expect from Timex’s core range.
Under the hood is a Swiss-made Landeron 24 GMT movement. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 28 jewels, and offers a 40-hour power reserve.
The GMT function uses a dedicated 24-hour hand. It lets you track a second time zone without losing sight of your local time, which is handy if you travel a lot, or just like knowing what time it is somewhere else.
The dial is where this watch really earns its keep though. It’s finished in black enamel, paired with a beautiful black-and-green 24-hour bezel. That colour split makes it easy to read day from night at a glance.
Swiss LumiNova on the markers means it stays legible after dark too.
I’m a sucker for an intricate, well engineered case, and this one does it well. You get a view of the movement through an exhibition case back, and the case itself is decorated with a plated steel mid-case, so it looks stunning.
The crystal is a double-curved sapphire with triple-layer anti-reflective coating. That should mean minimal glare and a crisp view of the dial from most angles.
You’ve got two strap options. There’s a stainless-steel bracelet with a butterfly deployant clasp and self-adjustable links, so resizing is simple. Or there’s a black NBR rubber strap if you want something sportier.
Personally, I’d take the bracelet, I think it suits the watch really well.
Is it the classiest Timex has ever made? On looks alone, I think it’s up there. The proportions are perfect, the dial is restrained, and the colour combination is stunning.
The Timex Atelier GMT Première M1a is available now at Timex’s website, priced from US$1450 / £1200.
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