Wanting To Like The Timex Atelier GMT

So, I'm conflicted...

Courtesy of Timex

Many of us who grew up in the lower 48 started our time-telling with a Timex watch. Back in the 70s you would find them on tons of wrist, both young and old. My own was this one -

My parents gave this to me when I was just a fart in a mitten. This was a "prize" of sorts for learning to tell the time. It is a hand winding movement (I'm sure quite industrial and rough), it probably cost not more than $25 (is my guess). We were, and continue to be, inseparable friends.

But back to the matter at hand -

Courtesy of Timex

Timex has been making a push to gain traction with "watch people", and that in and of itself is okay. With that said, I also think that part of Timex's charm was (and to some extent still is) accessibility. The idea of jobbing out a high end "Swiss" watch and calling it a Timex is, if I'm honest, not really on brand.

Regardless, the Timex Atelier GMT is a fine looking watch. It is of stainless steel, measuring 40 mm in diameter. The movement is a bit of a dubious choice - from Landeron, it offers four handed indications of "home" time and GMT. 

Courtesy of Timex

And then we come to the price - 

$1,450...

And that's where Timex, you've really lost me, as well as the plot.

Let's have a quick wee look at what $1,450 will buy you in a similar formation.

Courtesy of Mido

$1,500 will get you this from Seiko -

Courtesy of Seiko

While these are different brands, I think it is more than reasonable to compare them when the wordsmiths at Hodinkee will inevitably speak about the "Value Propisition". 

So while I want to like the Timex Atelier GMT, the price, movement, and frankly the lack of "Timexness" (i.e. the lack of common thread beyond just the Timex name) are a bit too off- putting for this particular child of the 70s, but ultimately we make our choices and take our chances.