ⓘ Timex

Timex’s Expedition series offers some of the best bang-for-your-buck field watches around. You can easily get an entry-level Expedition Scout for under $50, and while the brand does offer titanium-clad automatic field models on the premium side, even those are considerably cheaper than a quartz Hamilton Khaki Field. The company’s latest Expedition Titanium Automatic makes that proposition even more enticing, offering an IP-coated titanium case, sapphire crystal, and automatic movement for just $429.

The new Expedition trades traditional stainless steel for a stealthy, black IP-coated titanium case with a brushed finish. The use of titanium means you get an incredibly tough yet lightweight daily wearer that won't fatigue your wrist during a long weekend hike. The watch face features a rugged, textured black dial that provides an excellent backdrop for the classic full Arabic numerals.

Cream-colored hands and hour markers keep things legible, with Super-LumiNova filling providing visibility after dark. Timex also uses an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, which should offer much better scratch resistance than the mineral glass found on cheaper Expedition models.

The Expedition logo appears on the dial at 12 o'clock and is also imprinted on the crown and the exhibition case back. 

And as you'd expect from a proper field watch, the watch is rated for an impressive 200 meters of water resistance, with a screw-down crown and case back providing added resistance to moisture, dirt, and pressure.

And then there’s the movement. Timex says the watch uses a 21-jewel automatic caliber with up to 40 hours of power reserve. The movement is wound by the motion of your wrist and can also be manually wound through the crown. Unfortunately, Timex doesn’t specify exactly whose movement is actually ticking inside—a common practice among affordable automatics. An exhibition case back does, however, give you a view of the mechanical movement doing its thing.

Similar to the recently released Expedition Pioneer models, the watch comes fitted with a natural-leather strap supplied by the Leather Working Group, along with quick-release spring bars for easy strap changes.

At $429 / £355, the Expedition Titanium Automatic sits well above Timex’s entry-level field watches, but it’s still a relatively accessible way to get into a mechanical watch with titanium build and serious water resistance. For anyone who wants a rugged everyday field watch without spending Hamilton money, this new Expedition looks like a rather convincing option.

Timex's new titanium field watch is available now in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe directly from the brand's online store for $429 / £355 / CAD $539 / £355.

View Timex Expedition Field North Field Solar on Amazon

• Model: TW2Y90900
• Movement: 21-jewel automatic mechanical movement
• Power reserve: Up to 40 hours
• Case diameter: 41mm
• Lug-to-lug: 50mm
• Case thickness: 13.5mm
• Case material: Titanium
• Case finish: Brushed, black IP coating
• Dial: Black, textured
• Crystal: Scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire
• Water resistance: 200 meters
• Crown: Screw-down, with crown guard
• Case back: Screw-down, exhibition window
• Lug width: 20mm
• Strap: Brown natural leather
• Strap features: Quick-release spring bars
• Lume: Super-LumiNova on hands and hour markers
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date display

Kristen Spradlin - Tech Writer - 274 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024

Kristen is a technology writer based in Toronto. He's primarily interested in smartphone hardware, Android, Apple ecosystem, audio gear, and the intersection of technology and climate change. His first smartphone was the HTC Dream, and while he regards himself as an Android loyalist, he doesn’t mind using an iPhone as a secondary phone. When he’s not scouring his RSS feed for the latest tech news, you’ll likely find him glued to his Kindle Paperwhite reading his favorite non-fiction titles. He has also traveled extensively, having visited Australia, England, Nepal, and India.