{"id":5231,"date":"2021-11-17T10:38:32","date_gmt":"2021-11-17T15:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/techwriteredc.com\/?p=5231"},"modified":"2022-11-10T07:22:24","modified_gmt":"2022-11-10T12:22:24","slug":"timex-mk1-chronograph-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techwriteredc.com\/timex-mk1-chronograph-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Timex MK1 Chronograph Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
A Deep Dive Into The Timex MK1 Chronograph<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Back in the 1960s and 70s, the U.S. military needed watches that were accurate, easy to read and cheap to produce. They needed watches that were essentially disposable. Timex made quite a few of those watches, designed to MIL-W-46374 military specifications and distributed to U.S. Marines, who wore them during the Vietnam War. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The modern Timex MK1 Chronograph series of watches is essentially an homage to those classic timepieces. The originals were utilitarian, and their modern counterparts are much the same. That\u2019s not a bad thing. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personally, I like Timex Chronograph watches because they\u2019re handsome, reliable watches that I don\u2019t have to be too precious about. I wouldn\u2019t go so far as to call them \u201cdisposable,\u201d but I can wear them camping and hiking with full confidence that they\u2019ll get through the experience unscathed (and if they don\u2019t\u2026 hey, I\u2019m only out about 40 bucks). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Timex MK1 Chronograph<\/a> is a great beater watch for any watch geek who doesn\u2019t want to expose their pricier pieces to the wear and tear of the backcountry. But these are also excellent entry-level watches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re interested in buying your first watch, consider this one. You might find that it\u2019s a bit like a gateway drug.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timex offers quite a few models within their MK1 line of watches. The one I\u2019ve been wearing on my arm for the last month or so is a Timex MK1 Chronograph with model number TW2T10900. It shares a lot with its predecessors in terms of functionality, but compared to the resin-cased U.S. Marine-issue watches of yesteryear, it\u2019s quite a few steps up. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, it incorporates Timex\u2019s trademark Indiglo function (more on that later) and features an aluminum case, stainless steel back and acrylic crystal. Today\u2019s MK1 chronograph is also a quartz watch. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all that in mind, it\u2019s clear that the designers of the MK1 have a great respect for the heritage behind this watch, as well as an understanding of the demands of today\u2019s watch wearers and collectors. The end result is a perfect balance of both, and not bad bang-for-your-buck, if I do say so myself. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this price point, I\u2019m not going to nitpick about details like the precision of the quartz movement or how well each hand aligns with the indices. Nobody would argue that this is the best watch money can buy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

But is it the best watch 40-ish dollars can buy? IT JUST MIGHT BE.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s talk about the details. <\/strong><\/em>My Timex MK1 Chronograph has a 40mm case (15mm thickness) which is a very comfortable size for my wrist. It\u2019s also <\/span>very<\/span><\/i> light. I mean, almost startlingly light. Aside from the stainless steel back, the case is made of aluminum, which is the main reason this thing weighs in at a mere 1.41 ounces. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This watch comes in a few different colors.<\/strong><\/em> Mine is grey, but the black model is also a good-looking watch, and I hemmed and hawed for a while before I was able to decide between the two. Ultimately, I\u2019m happy with my choice. The natural matte grey finish of the aluminum case is very smooth, with an almost gunmetal-like appearance. The dial, while also described as grey, is such a light shade of that color that it almost scans as white. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Both the case and dial have a crisp, clean design.<\/strong><\/em> As you might expect, it\u2019s a very classic-looking watch, rugged and unfussy. That\u2019s not to say it doesn\u2019t look good. It does. But there\u2019s an admirable simplicity to the whole package. You\u2019d never mistake it for a decorative piece. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case is also designed to give you 30 meters of water resistance.<\/strong><\/em> Again, that\u2019s water <\/span>resistance<\/span><\/i>. This watch is not waterproof, nor does it claim to be. It\u2019s simply not meant to be a diving watch. That being said, I\u2019ve worn mine in the shower and hiked with it in the rain multiple times with no ill effects.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve seen a lot of criticism directed toward this watch on account of the acrylic crystal, which some say is easy to scratch. I don\u2019t know what these people are doing to their watches, but I\u2019ve worn my MK1 through some pretty rumble-tumble situations, and have yet to see a scratch appear. Take that for what it\u2019s with, I guess. The acrylic crystal is also period-accurate to the old watches the MK1 is made to emulate, so I appreciate the attention to detail.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dial itself is easily readable at a quick glance. There\u2019s good-not-great luminescent material on the hour, minute and second hands, as well as each hour marker. It\u2019s perfectly adequate, no more and no less. What I really like is the Indiglo feature, a hallmark of Timex watches that illuminates the dial with a push of the crown. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Indiglo is barely noticeable in the daylight, but it produces a brilliant blue glow in the dark.<\/strong> Honestly, it\u2019s just fun to play with. I\u2019m no scientist, but Indiglo is a form of electroluminescence, and this <\/span>How Stuff Works article<\/span><\/a> does a good job explaining how it works. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as we\u2019re talking about the crown of the MK1, it does a lot more than activate the Indiglo. The crown is also used to adjust the hour and minute hands, which are each\u2014and this is a feature I really appreciate\u2014independently adjustable. That means you can move the hour hand without moving the minute hand. If you\u2019re someone who frequently travels between time zones, then I don\u2019t have to tell you what a helpful feature that is.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You simply pull out the crown one click to move the hour hand, and a second click to move the minute hand.<\/strong> My MK1 Chronometer also has a small window on the dial that displays the date, and you can adjust the date by moving the hour hand past the 12 o\u2019clock position twice in either direction. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chronograph pushers are located to the right of the dial, on either side of the crown. There\u2019s a bit of a learning curve to using the chronograph feature of this watch, but Timex has a thorough <\/span>online instruction manual<\/span><\/a> that you might find helpful ( it would have been nice if this had come with the watch, but alas, it did not). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Suffice to say, with a little practice, you can easily use the Timex MK1 Chronograph as a stopwatch and to measure time and distance.<\/strong> The three small sub-dials on the watch face represent three different aspects of the chronograph feature. You have running seconds at the 6 o\u2019clock position, a 30-minute counter at 10 o\u2019clock, and a 1\/20th of a second indicator for more precise chronograph reading at 2 o\u2019clock. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Timex MK1 Chronograph came with a pretty basic grey fabric strap. It\u2019s nothing to write home about, but it looks pretty good against the darker grey of the aluminum dial. You could very easily remove it and upgrade the strap\u201420mm lugs make it easily adaptable\u2014but I left mine on because I often wear this watch outdoors and the original strap is well suited to that.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HERE’S THE LAST THING I’LL SAY ABOUT THE MK1.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anytime I hear someone say a watch is \u201cgreat for the price\u201d that always rings a little hollow for me. It\u2019s almost like damning with faint praise. <\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This is <\/span>a great watch for the money, but it\u2019s honestly a very good watch when you take price entirely out of the equation. With multiple color options (not to mention several other models in the MK1 line) these are watches you can wear just about anywhere. Not only are they great outdoorsy watches, but you could strap one on when you\u2019re going to a party or a nice restaurant, and it wouldn\u2019t draw any second glances. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love that the MK1 Chronograph pays tribute to the U.S. Marines watches from decades ago, but the improvements Timex has integrated into the design make it a great watch for right now. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re thinking about getting into watches, this the MK1 makes for a great first buy. And if you already own a dozen watches that are much more high-end, this is still a worthy entry into your collection. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n