Timex Atelier Expands Lineup with the GMT Première M1a

Windup Watch Shop - September 14, 2026

Overview & Design

In late 2025, Timex introduced “Timex Atelier,” a design-focused, upmarket push from America’s oldest watch brand. Timex has spent a decade refining designs, crafting strategic Swiss partnerships, and continuously releasing watches that capture the hearts and minds of enthusiasts. While these aren’t the Timex you’d find in a local big-box store, that classic Timex DNA is still there. Simply put, it's luxury done the Timex way.

The Timex Atelier GMT Première M1a scales down the brand’s previous 40mm Atelier GMT into a more compact 38mm form factor. It retains the signature aesthetics of the original design, featuring a skeletonized stainless steel case that reveals an IP gold-coated inner section. Framing the black enamel dial is a black-and-green 24-hour GMT ring. Two options are available at launch, both sharing the same core case and movement: one paired with a steel bracelet and the other with an integrated rubber strap.

Movement & Functionality

StrapHabit began in 2019 with a simple mission: “To help customers find the perfect strap for their watch; after all, a watch isn’t complete until it has that perfect strap”. Based outside of Columbus, Ohio, StrapHabit stocks straps in-house, which, combined with their central location, helps ensure your strap lands on your wrist as quickly as possible. Through carefully developed relationships, StrapHabit partners with several of the most experienced global watch strap manufacturers to bring a wide range of offerings. Designed to strike the perfect balance between budget-friendly and high-quality, StrapHabit’s offerings let you experiment with various strap combinations without digging too deep into your wallet.

Case & Dial Specifications

At the heart of it all is Nick Lehner, who can best be described as an “Enthusiast Entrepreneur”. When Nick first started StrapHabit in 2019, he was working full-time as an engineer, shipping orders early in the morning and late at night after his family had gone to bed. Nick often found himself spending any spare time answering emails, creating content, and designing new products, which would often spill into his weekends. After nearly six years of effectively living two lives, Nick made the decision to quit his 20-year career in engineering and work on StrapHabit full time, which he credits to the support of the watch community.