Timex Marlin Chatham Review: A 36mm Cushion-Case Automatic for $299
Timex's Marlin Chatham is a 36mm cushion-case automatic with a Miyota movement, from $289. Our read of the specs, the fit, and the catch.
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Timex has made a habit of putting automatic movements in friendly cases, and the Marlin Chatham is the most dressed-up version yet. It is a 36mm cushion-case watch with a black dial, gold-tone steel and a brown leather strap, at $299. This is our read of Timex's product page and spec sheet, not a wrist test.
The case is the story
Most affordable automatics follow the same round template. The Chatham does not. Timex gives it a soft-square cushion case in polished stainless steel, 36mm across and only 44.5mm lug to lug, which puts it on the small, vintage side of today's sizing. Timex sells this watch with a 1960s coastal mood in mind, and the shape backs that up.
Dial and hands
The black dial carries applied gold numerals in a Breguet-style cut, slim baton hands and very little text. The gold tone on the hands and numbers matches the case, so the whole watch reads as one color story. Against a white or pale blue shirt it will look sharp. Against a gray crewneck it will look deliberate.
Movement and strap
Inside is a self-winding automatic movement, shown through an exhibition caseback. For the money, that is the point of the watch: you see the rotor and the mechanism rather than a plain steel plate. The case is 12mm tall and weighs about 60.5 g, so it is not heavy. The strap is brown leather on quick-release spring bars, which means a swap to a black or tan strap takes a minute and no tools.
Who it fits
At 36mm, this is a watch for average and smaller wrists, or for anyone who likes a vintage proportion. Timex's own size guide puts 36 to 42mm in the range for wrists of 6 to 7 inches. If you wear a 41mm field watch every day, this will feel small, and that is the idea. It is a dress-leaning piece for the office and for dinner, a natural fit for the outfits in our business casual guide.
The catch
It is rated to 50 meters, so keep it out of the pool. The crystal is mineral glass, not sapphire, so it will pick up scratches sooner. The gold-tone plating is a bold choice; if you want the same shape quieter, Timex also lists a steel version with a white dial for $289. Timex's own page also pairs the black dial with a brown strap and the white dial with a black one. Neither pairing is wrong, just something to know if you like to match.
How it stacks up in our Timex coverage
Timex is running a wide range this fall. The Peanuts Timex Marlin lineup goes playful, the Fender x Timex automatic goes tool watch, and the Waterbury Heritage GMT goes travel. The Chatham is the dressy one. For more watches with a higher ticket, see our best luxury dive watches or browse the affordable luxury watches section and the full watches hub.
How to start
If you want the one with the most character, buy the black-dial gold-tone version at $299. If you want the safer, more versatile pick, take the white-dial steel one at $289. Price checked October 7, 2026 on Timex's US store; prices can change.
A square, Seiko-powered chronograph at a similar price: see our Tornado Aristocrate Chronograph review.
Shop the look
Our guides for this look: 6 Snoopy Watches From Timex Worth Wearing Right Now · 8 Luxury Dive Watches You Can Actually Wear Every Day
FAQ
How much is the Timex Marlin Chatham?
Timex lists the black-dial, gold-tone version at $299 and the white-dial steel version at $289 on its US store. We checked the black-dial page on October 7, 2026 and it showed in stock.
How big is the Marlin Chatham?
The case is 36mm across, 44.5mm lug to lug and 12mm tall, and it weighs about 60.5 g on its strap. Timex's size guide suggests 36mm to 42mm for average wrists of 6 to 7 inches.
Is the Marlin Chatham an automatic?
Yes. It uses a self-winding automatic movement that you can watch through the exhibition caseback, so it needs no battery.
Can I swim with it?
We would not. It is rated to 50 meters, which is not a swimming rating in our book. For swimming, look at a dive watch such as the ones in our dive watch guide.
