Timex Makes The Atelier GMT Even Better With A Smaller Case

Timex launched its Atelier GMT less than a year ago, and it quickly became a massive argument that Timex might actually be able to make a step into a more upscale watch. In fact, the entire Atelier line kicks ass and gives the budget watchmaker something to be very proud of. The new Première M1a is the follow-up to the Atelier GMT and it pulls a new trick out of the bag – it shrinks down to a really nice size.

The case drops from 40mm to 38mm wide. Even better, the lug-to-lug is a pretty nice 46.11 mm. But don't get too excited just yet, because the thickness is 13.8 mm, and you can see in the side profile that it's a chunky watch. Timex combats this by not making it slab sided. Instead, there's a bunch of different-width planes that help break the profile up. The crown and a ring around the mid-case are now gold-finished. Water resistance is 50 meters, which could be better.

The bezel is now black and green, which will remind plenty of people of the Sprite colorway of the more popular GMT on the market. The gold continues on the dial with gilt indices and hands. That adds contrast, but it also pushes the watch toward a dressier look that some buyers of the first version won't want. The enamel dial remains unchanged, along with the lumed dauphine-style hands, lollipop seconds and the GMT hand. The lume is as bright as it was on the original.

Inside is the Swiss Landeron calibre 24, an automatic GMT movement you can see through a display caseback. It's the same calibre as before. You can choose a steel bracelet or an NBR rubber strap.

On rubber the Première M1a is priced at $1,350, and on the bracelet it is $1,450. Both are available now and are not limited. See more on the Timex website.