This is an interesting move for Timex. The watch looks very nice and has a lot of noteworthy touches, especially the polished black enamel dial and semi-skeletonized midcase (quite rare at this price point). However, it also represents a move upmarket, though still relatively affordable in the grand scheme of things. Compare the price to the Timex Harborside, a quartz-powered, non-Swiss-made watch, which retails for around $140. While it’s not nearly as on-the-nose as the Harborside is to the inspiration of the Rolex Submariner, it still has a touch of the same feeling. The M1a’s power reserve is also somewhat lacking compared to modern specifications that we have come to expect at this price point.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the watch looks good, but I assume it will likely find stronger success outside of the value-driven enthusiast space where Timex’s entry-level offerings remain popular. It has all the elements to be an attractive offering, but for enthusiasts, I think the last Giorgi Galli watch is still the ticket (and is still available).