When is a Camper a Mk1?
I’m glad to be writing about Timex again. I’m especially glad to be writing about new Mk1s, some of my favorite Timex watches. I woke up to look at my emails and saw one from Timex announcing the new Mk1s. The image before me was the one above of the colored version, but I quickly saw the 40mm auto and the more recognizable 36mm mechanical with steel case and black dial. As you will read, I have some issues with this release. It also made me rethink what constitutes a Mk1?
As you may know, I have covered the earlier Archive era Timex 40mm Mk1 three hand and 42mm chronographs in earlier posts. Then I purposely left out the previous 36mm mechanical version of the Mk1, thinking I would cover it later. It was confusing enough just sorting out the aluminum and steel 40mm Mk1s. It always seemed odd to me that the 36mm mechanical of 2019-20 was called a Mk1. I guess now is the time to cover it. I did mention the 36mm cases as I tried to trace the links between the classic plastic Campers and the aluminum and steel Mk1s. I also left out the plastic reissue MK1/Campers.
While we are on the topic of the new Mk1s, I will cover the 40mm auto in a separate post. I just have trouble grouping the 36mm and 40mm Mk1s together since they are not only different sizes, but have different movements and straps. THey just seem to be targeted for different customer groups.
Camper or Mk1?
So, here we are again in 2025, roughly eight years since the last Mk1s were released. I wonder what this means in the big picture? Is the Mk1 back? Are there more versions to come? Timex also recently conducted a similar refresh of the Weekender line, too. I thought this was interesting and reassuring in a way. Has Timex run out of ideas and is hoping to reclaim some sales by dragging out the old favorites, or is this the normal evolution of a line?
Right off the bat I should say I probably won’t be purchasing either of the Yellow or Red 36mm quartz versions. I did buy the new steel 36mm mechanical and I also have the last version. As a Timex collector, the colored ones do slightly interest me. As a watch enthusiast/wearer I am not motivated to get one or have a particular need for them? They are just not my style, I guess. I also consider them as “Campers”, rather than Mk1s. See, there I go again. Why does Timex need to call these plastic 36mm versions Mk1s? I had trouble considering the black and olive reissue ones as Mk1s back when the were marketed as such in Archive editions.
I think Timex is wrong to call these plastic 36mm watches Mk1. Sorry. They are Campers. The steel 36mm mechanical has more of a claim as a MK1, but as I have felt for the last five years they maybe should be called “Steel Campers”? Its confusing. The MK1 line came to be with the release of 40mm aluminum and steel quartz watches in 2017. Actually, the steel 36mm “Campers” were born before the 40mm line. As far as I can tell, they were retroactively called “Mk1” after the 40mm line was given that name. One could rebut my argument by showing that the 36mm plastic Camper is closer to the origin 1982 MILSPEC plastic product than the metal 40mm is. To follow that line of reasoning, the 36mm steel’s size is also closer to the plastic military than the 40mm is. However, we still don’t know if the 1982 military plastic one was ever called “Mk1”? See more about the Mk1 line here.
There was a similar bright color diversion with the metal 40mm California Mk1 series. I didn’t have as much trouble accepting the California line as Mk1s even though they were very different.
Review of Past 36mm Releases
I want to go back to the Archive era around 2016-19 and look at the last round of 36mm “Mk1s”; At that time there were plastic 36mm Mk1s, a 36mm “Steel Camper”, the steel 36mm mechanical Mk1, as well as aluminum and steel 40mm quartz Mk1s.
The above three 36mm models were around in 2017. I really like these, too. The first two were what I consider the first “steel Campers” initially done for Japan market. One brushed the other PVD. This same case was also used for three Nigel Cabourn collaborations. Both have classic Mk1 triangle hour markers, 24-hr track, and black dials. I believe they were considered Archive “Mk1”, however, Timex marketing communications are vague and hard to trace. The last one, far right, was marketed as a Mk1 under the subgroup Archive Pioneers. It has a different number style and dot hour markers(WWII) and actually says “Archive” on the dial. It was a more limited release. The 36mm Mk1s also did not have Indiglo. Incidentally, the case backs on these steel fixed bar cases are tough to get off without scratching! The “pry-here” notch is located right at the deep lug and since the fixed bar blocks access, its a struggle even for professionals. So, take a note Timex: make battery changing easier.
The next three Archive 36mm watches above were also called Mk1s. The first two, one green the other black, are to me classic quartz Camper-style watches that drew on the original mechanical plastic camper case, dial and hands. The last on the far right, TW2U69000, is the 36mm mechanical Archive Mk1 with a dark olive dial and number set and dot markers similar to the Archive Pioneers quartz in first photo. It has a spring bar and slimmer lugs instead of the fixed cast strap bar of the other 36s.
Who am I to say that a plastic (or steel) 36mm watch can’t be included in the Mk1 line? Timex has the right to take an old Camper design and include it in the Mk1 group. Civilian colors vs Military colors; maybe I think of MK1 as a military style? But, it is confusing. Why no new olive green or black versions in the 2025 release since they are not available any more? As I pointed out in my earlier MK1 posts, the Mk1 did evolve from the Camper design. It makes me consider just what a Mk1 is? Is it the dial? The shape of the case? Obviously the size, movement and the case material can be different among models. The 40mm Mk1s don’t even have the integrated solid strap bar like the 36mm case. They have spring bars or can use a quick release two piece strap.
The above image shows steel 40mm and 36mm Mk1s. Now, I’ve researched many Timex Archive era sources and have never seen a Timex ad or marketing campaign that ever put these two sizes of watches together as Mk1s? I’m pretty sure that’s because the 36s were never considered Mk1s until after the 40s were released. It could also depend on how they were treated in different markets; North America or Europe? There were marketing pieces promoting the Archive Pioneers collection with the 36mm Archive Mk1 with a Aluminum Archive 40mm or Aluminum 40mm chrono as shown below.
2025 Mechanical 36mm Mk1
This new mechanical, the TW2Y07900, is very similar to the 2019 version. The brushed case looks the same but with a new case back. These mechanical ones do use spring bars. The new one comes on a NATO-style strap instead of a two-piece quick-release strap. This is consistent with the new 40mm release. It now has a black dial instead of green. The hour and minute hands are syringe-style, not baton-style. There has been added a MK1 logo above “mechanical” printed above the six. The second sweep looks the same. The lume on the new version, though still negligible, seems to be stronger on hands, but this is because the hands are slightly wider and contain more lume. Water resistance is still at 50m. Timex doesn’t bother to reveal the movement, but I assume it is a Kienzle or Seagull.
Again, on the mechanical, Timex chose not to use the classic MK1 dial with triangle hour markers. Instead are small rectangles of weak luminous material. It is more of an A-17 look? A similar approach was done with the Archive Mk1s before. I think the new version has a distinctly more vintage feel, but I’m not sure it is an improvement? The outer min/sec track are so fine as to be useless and appear more as a continuous line. The type style changed to a sans serif that I think is the same as the new 40mm. Not as nice as the 2019 Archive style and not the classic Mk1 Din-style. I question, again, what was Timex trying for here? While the handset is nice, the dial design is weaker. There is the same attempt to distinguish the mechanical style from the other 36mm MK1s? I think this would have been a better watch by just keeping the triangle hour markers ans classic MK1 look. Maybe they want the mechanical to look back to pre-Nam?
I wonder what it was that prompted the re-release of this MK1? It is really more of the same. Did Timex fans ask for more of the 36mm mechanical? Is military fashion back? I did lament the end of the Mk1 and Allied lines. But, I didn’t see this coming. How does this square with the Expedition North lines? It’s another way to go battery-free. It also has a recycled plastic for strap material. Is Timex taking another look at the vintage military enthusiast market? This is a completely different animal than the new bright colored 36mm quartz Mk1s.
I also wonder now why Timex never reissued a plastic mechanical Mk1 in 2017 or 2025? Wouldn’t this have been a more direct link to the disposable plastic mechanical military 1982 model or the 1983 civilian Camper?
The fact that it stays at 50m WR and still has an acrylic crystal makes me keep it in the fashion/everyday category rather than the tool category. The black dial, the handset and the choice of NATO strap all point to a desire to lean firmly toward classic military influences. To me, this black dial does seem a bit more “classic” than the 2019 version with green dial. If I had to decide between the two, I think I prefer the colors and strap of the 2019 edition. Nowhere does Timex relate to these as “field watches” though they do straddle the fence between fashion and field. I have always considered most outdoor Timex watches as stand-in or economy field watches until you get up into their titanium/sapphire Expeditions. Durability costs money.
The NATO-style, two-layer strap is very Timex-like with its matte/blasted finish keepers. The buckle is brushed like the case. As mentioned earlier, it does use recycled materials but is not a particularly interesting or unique strap. Looks like the strap on the Expedition Field Post Solar 36mm with maybe a different shade of green and silver instead of black finished hardware. Aside from using recycled plastic, I don’t think it will impress many. I think the 2-piece with stripe with one fat keeper, on the first release, was much more interesting. It would have been nice to see another version of that.
Back to the quartz bright color pair: I’d say this is for another market segment than the mechanical. Reminds me of the Aluminum or California 40mm MK1 lines of six or seven years ago, but smaller. Again I ask, why call this a Mk1? How about Urban Camper or MK1 Camper? I kind of like the yellow, but the whole concept is sort of a mixed message? It appears Europe also gets a beige version? Where is the olive green version? On these, Timex did keep the classic MK1 Din-style font, which is interesting? I don’t like the mono-color design, either. It seems to be another way to get a lower priced Camper-like product out there. Not for me. I’d rather just wear my yellow Survival Nigel Cabourn or put a red strap on the steel 36mm?
Final Thoughts
I’m happy to see Mk1s back, but these 36mm releases leave me puzzled. The 40mm auto, on the other hand, seems to be, at least, a new evolution? I will cover that in subsequent post. I just don’t think these colored ones should even be considered Mk1s. What is Timex trying to do with these? An inflation fighter? Why not make more TW2P88400 olive green Archive versions for this release, too? Why not re-release the stainless steel quartz 36mm with new dial? It all seems a bit random?
The mechanical TW2Y07900 is just more of the old TW2U69000, but I’m glad to see it continue. Overall, I think the older version was better executed. I did decide to purchase the new one, but it was a close call. It was more of a collector decision than an enthusiast or practical decision. It would have been better to do a small seconds version à la Dirty Dozen? Timex hasn’t done anything like that since the Welton? So, again I ask, what is Timex trying to do here? Is there more coming? A cream dial? Why did they wait five years to do this watch again? What about a solar Mk1? The Expedition Field Post Solar 36mm does cover this option.
In the intervening years between the last Mechanical 36mm MK1 and this release, Timex did deliver a slew of 38mm mechanicals in their Expedition North range. They even look like MK1s (TW2V54000). So, if you want a little bigger manual wind, these may be for you? But, again, Timex has gone more “tool-ish” with the Expedition (North) lines and continues to keep the MK1 more fashion oriented.
Timex, historically, has a way of using existing designs and parts and mixing and matching them with some new elements to keep churning out new releases. I don’t see any effort to go upscale or tool here as has been the perception of more recent Timex models. Just more of the same, but at higher prices adjusted for inflation. The price of the mechanical is getting harder to justify? I’m just not interested in the brightly colored ones. I wish Timex would put more effort into their communications to explain what it is they are doing. Here’s to the Mk1 revival!
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