This Super Affordable Timex References a Famous Racing Chronograph

The quartz Marlin chronograph takes clear visual cues from one of Steve McQueen’s favorite watches.

close up of a timex marlin chronograph dial

By Brad Lanphear

Published February 25, 2025

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Updated February 25, 2025

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Sometimes, all it takes is the right color scheme to make a super-affordable watch look like a million bucks.

In this case, Timex‘s newest Marlin Chronograph was inspired by one of the most famous racing chronographs of all time, with ties to Steve McQueen.

a blue Timex chronograph watch on a man's wrist — The Timex Marlin Chronograph takes clear visual cues from the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition.

The blue dial with orange and light blue vertical racing stripes is an unmistakable nod to the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition. First released in 2005, it was an ode to the late Steve McQueen, who wore a blue Monaco chronograph in the classic 1971 racing film Le Mans.

At $189, this quartz-powered chronograph can be had for less than five percent of the cost of what a Monaco Gulf goes for on the vintage market. This is both a testament to the former’s value and the latter’s iconic status.

The man from Le Mans

Arguably, McQueen is solely responsible for making the funky square-case Heuer watch popular in the first place. If he hadn’t taken to it and worn one in his film Les Mans, chances are it would have been lost to obscurity and certainly would not have been reissued three decades later.

TAG Heuer Monaco x Gulf Automatic — The TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition.

Such is the power of McQueen’s legacy.

The first Monaco Gulf edition matched the racing uniform worn by McQueen in the film, with a white dial decorated with blue and red vertical racing stripes. Subsequent models replaced the dial first with black and then blue and changed the stripes to the iconic orange and light blue.

a blue chronograph watch on a blue leather strap — The dial color scheme is paired with a racing-style leather band and crossed checkered flags on the dial.

The first few iterations of the Monaco Gulf, all released in the 2000s, were limited editions. A general production model did not come out until 2018, but it has remained a rare and expensive collector’s item to this day.

Bang for your buck

Timex utilized scare and efficiency to offer prices that are nearly impossible for other watch companies to beat. This Marlin chronograph is a perfect example.

It runs on a generic quartz movement but still packs a 24-hour chronograph with a tachymeter dial. The retro dial features applied dash indices, and the signature Marlin applied numbers at twelve, nine and three o’clock, topped off with a domed acrylic window.

the back and strap of a Timex watch — The blue leather racing strap is perforated.

The 40mm stainless steel case offers both a look and durability well above the $200 price mark. It comes with a perforated blue leather pin-buckle strap, another nod to the racing inspiration.

a blue chronograph watch on a man's wrist — The Marlin Chronograph has a comfortable 40mm case.

Timex balanced outside inspiration and internal archive references really well with this watch. Since the original Marlin and McQueen-era Monaco were contemporaries, the design elements mash up well. It makes for a fun, affordable piece to round out a collection or upgrade your everyday watch.

Availability and pricing

The Timex Marlin Chronograph Tachymeter is available now from Timex for $189.

Along with the “Monaco Gulf” color scheme, there is a silver dial with red, white and blue stripes on a black leather band, as well as a green dial with yellow stripes on a brown leather band.