BLUF: This watch f*cks and pushes far above its price point.
First things first- let's show what we're talking about here...
I've been screwing around with this watch for a bit now (
https://timex.com/products/expedition-titanium-automatic-41mm-recycled-fabric-strap-watch-tw2v95300). Full disclosure the strap depicted is some other inexpensive Timex strap in a tan color which I just thought would be a better color match for what I was after.
That said- the spec's (and really what makes this particular Timex unique). As indicated- this is an automatic movement. Timex seems to be tightlipped on the particular movement but research suggests it to be a Miyota 8215. Nothing wrong with that by any means but it's also likely amongst the least expensive of reliable Japanese movements offered. With screwing around with this bad boy I've been rather surprised that despite the detriments of an inexpensive movement- I must have gotten a "good one" because I'm running only +5 seconds per day.
I'm partial to field watches & simple watch faces. Give me a solid hour/minute/second hand and I'm already happy- add in a date component... I'm tickled (prefer to avoid the 'cyclops' option personally). That said- the watch face here is clean- Arabic numbers, a date window and the hands having Super LumiNova luminescent paintings. Here's another pic...
As for the specs itself (which is really what seems to make this watch special in my own opinion)... Sapphire crystal both in the front & back (more on that later...). Titanium housing, (as previously mentioned) Super LumiNova luminescent, antireflective treatment on the front crystal, water resistant to 200M/20 BAR (yep it has a screw in crown which supports that rating) case diameter is 41 mm, height is 12.5mm (I'll throw a pic on that one next) and width is 20mm. As to the height comment...
Anywho wrapping things up- this is an automatic with sapphire front/back & titanium housing & my particular example just seems to punch so much higher than it should than it's price point would indicate (sub $500). They offer this model (green strap/gray face) & another with a black strap & face. Frankly I'm going to keep an eye out and likely pick up the black face model once it comes on sale.
As far as criticisms go- first & foremost, I'm not wild about the Expedition North logo that they have slapped on the rear sapphire crystal. I understand branding & al that but I feel like this detracts from the overall appearance. Here's what I'm talking about...
Aside from that- while my particular model has been shockingly accurate for an automatic (especially at this price point) this particular movement (as previously mentioned) is inexpensive for a reason as compared to others and I'm noticing that more & more as I wear this particular watch. The movement itself isn't particularly loud but the winding mechanism is extremely pronounced. Put another way- I've lost more than a third of my hearing and even I can hear the winding components, so that component is just awfully loud. That said- I'm already hard of hearing so can easily turn a blind eye to this nuance given the accuracy I'm seeing.
Other than that criticism- while not unique to this particular model, one thing to keep in mind is while titanium housings are incredibly light- they also scratch easily. Not exactly a knock against this watch but something to be aware of. Other than that- one needs to do a gut check on what they want out of their watch. Focusing on just mechanical movements- if one wants it to keep accurate time- well I'm extremely satisfied by mine. If you're worried about the sum of the parts- well this has dual sapphire components & titanium housing... a lot of watch for this price point I'd say.
If you want a watch to impress others- well this is and always will be a Timex and likely won't gain much traction there. I personally purchased mine because I was intrigued by what this particular model brought to the table & how it was a bit of an outlier for Timex. It's not going to impress anyone but dang- I think this watch is cool as can be and punches so far above its price.
Hope this was of value to some folks.
-LD
