Marvin Cushion M119 ‘A-Team’ Review

“In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team.”

That famous opening line comes to mind every time I look at the Marvin Cushion M119 (M119.23.47.98) with the camouflage strap. The Marvin M119 ‘A-Team’ is basically the same watch as the Marvin Superhero that we designed as our Fratellowatches limited edition (which you can find here), but with a different dial (and appearance) and with a date aperture.

As you can see on the photo above, the M119 has a black PVD case with a satin brushed finish on top. The black dial has an interesting guilloché finish and khaki colored indexes and hand inlays. As always the ’40’ is printed in red and the second hand is also done in bright red. Like the striping on the GMC.

The hand-sewn saddle stitched strap has a mix of colors to create the camouflage pattern. Green and brown tones give it a military cool appearance and make sure this watch doesn’t come unnoticed. On the back side, also seen on the photo above, you will see the red lining of the strap and the quick-release feature. Using your fingernails you can easily remove the strap and replace it with a less notable one (or perhaps an even more remarkable strap). It makes this watch versatile enough to make it your daily wearer.

Inside, Marvin has used the Sellita self-winding caliber SW200 movement to power this 42mm x 42mm timepiece. The movement can be admired via the caseback.

This Marvin Cushion M119 model with camouflage strap has a $1440 USD price tag, but we also noticed it is currently out of stock. Contact the fine people over at Marvin Watches for more information about availability and delivery.

I’ve been wearing the Marvin M119 for a few weeks (not as a daily wearer) and the watch certainly gets noticed. Noticed by a mixed audience, as it were both watch enthusiasts as well as friends who have nothing going on for mechanical watches. So make sure you are up to some remarks and comments as it definitely is a conversation-maker.

Although you might not have heard about Marvin before – we can’t imagine if you are a regular reader or watch enthusiast, but just in case – this brand from Vaumarcus in Switzerland has been around for quite a while. With an interesting collection of watches from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s it is a brand that gets its inspiration for new watches from their heritage (soon more on this). It was only last week that I spotted a vintage Marvin watch on the wrist of a Lufthansa stewardess during my flight to Munich. So once in a while, you might come across a nice vintage Marvin piece.

The 42mm cushion shaped case is a pleasure to wear – as I also noticed with the Marvin Superhero timepiece – and wears fine on an average wrist. If you have really small wrists, you might want to try it first. The movement kept a good rate and I’d say it is the same movement (and experience of quality) as its ETA blue print. This all-black watch is suitable for being a daily wearer but perhaps because it is such an out-spoken piece, you might want to add it to your watch collection as an ‘extra’ and not your only-watch.

More information can be found at the official Marvin Watches website.