Timex Expedition North Review | Timex Accomplished What Casio Couldn’t!
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As the name would suggest, the Timex Weekender has been a go-to cheap weekend watch for many years now. It’s attractive, low-cost, and comes in two sizes, as well as a huge variety of colors. While it’s a fun throw-on piece, it also has some infamous downsides, the most obvious being the eardrum-busting ticking noise.
While the movement is likely the main culprit, the case probably doesn’t help, as the poor seal only permits the watch a 3bar splash resistance. The material itself is also questionable, as chromed brass wears out faster than stainless steel and is more vulnerable to corrosion over time.
If only you could pay extra to eliminate those downsides, we’d be on to a winner, right?
Timex Releases
Well, it turns out Timex has read my mind. Late last year, they released a bunch of exciting field watches under the Expedition North banner. On the surface, these seem to essentially be upgraded versions of the cheaper Weekender and Expedition watches. I was pretty intrigued by this, so I pulled the trigger on two of the ‘field post’ watches. Both are affiliate linked throughout this article if you want to take a look.
Timex Expedition North Mechanical
Timex Expedition North Solar
One is the 38mm mechanical and the second is the 36mm solar, which also comes in a 41mm variant. Is it worth stumping up the extra cash to grab one of these? Or are they an unnecessary waste of money?
Timex Expedition North Mechanical Review
Ok, I’m going to start with the mechanical, as that’s the one I was most interested in beforehand, mainly because loads of you suggested it in my Hamilton versus Bulova post as a viable budget alternative to the Hamilton Khaki.
Watch Design
On the surface, it appears to be a Khaki clone, with an identical color scheme, a similar dial and a comparably finished case. When the two are side by side, the resemblance is undeniable. Surprisingly, even the vintage version of the Hamilton lacks originality, as it shared many characteristics with numerous other standardized military watches of the period. That being said, Hamilton was one of the very first contracted manufacturers of these timepieces, several decades before Timex dipped its toes into this aesthetic, so the Hamilton Khaki deserves the kudos here.
Mind you, it’s not an exact one-for-one clone. The Field Post mechanical has a raised chapter ring and somewhat of a modern hybrid look, with a more outspread arrangement, slimmer text and a brighter white backdrop. The second hand is also a different shape, though you’ll notice that all three hands fall disappointingly short of their markers.
Crystal & Water Resistance
You won’t be so disappointed with some of the upgrades that Timex has implemented, such as the inclusion of a sapphire crystal and a sturdy coin-edged rear that accommodates a 100m water resistance rating. It was marketed as being a durable watch and overall, it certainly gives that impression.
The Field Post Mechanical also ships in a vibrant blue colorway if you’d prefer to step away from the faux-Hamilton trappings.
Dimensions & Watch Movement
While it may have an identical width to the Khaki, along with a bigger dial thanks to the skinnier bezel, the Field Post wears smaller due to the shorter lug to lug length and steep curvature that better conforms to thin wrists. Unfortunately, the incredible slimness isn’t entirely carried over, as the unmarked Chinese movement inside is not the slimmest and the chunky case-back adds an extra couple of millimeters. It’s still under 11mm in total but won’t pair as well with a pass-through strap.
As with many Timex movements, there’s no trustworthy information about this caliber online, but here’s a look under the hood if you’re feeling nosey. Perhaps some of you recognize this one; it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s the same as that used in the MK1 mechanical.
At around $170, it’s probably worth holding out for a discount code, which will probably be a matter of minutes with Timex, but even so, this watch feels like it puts all the parts of the wristwatch jigsaw together in just the right way. Like a true premium alternative to the low-cost Expedition and Weekender ranges.
Watch Features
Several aspects are the same as the mechanical, such as the complete steel construction, the 100m water resistance rating and the AR-coated sapphire crystal. However, this version doesn’t feel quite as bloated. As if the fat has been trimmed in all the right areas. Both of the solars have handsets that stretch the entire radius of the dial, along with screwed crowns for added security.
The solar-powered movement used here is thankfully far quieter than those in the cheaper field watches from this brand and will be cost-effective to operate in the long run (as well as environmentally friendly, of course).
Strap
In fact, Timex has put a lot of weight on the whole sustainability thing in the marketing of this Expedition North range, with the bands also being pitched as eco-friendly. I can’t comment on the fabric straps, but these leather bands reportedly manufactured using 0% water and fewer chemicals, are pretty good in terms of performance; with thick but supple construction and some natural graining that is appreciated on a stock strap. You’ll notice some visible wear emerging on the edges, but the underlayer is at least brown, so it won’t hugely impair the viability of these. Quick-release tabs are present on both, removing the need for drilled lugs.
Colorways
All of the colorways that this solar variant comes in are rather unique for the field watch genre. Most offer dark understated looks that make for cool, modernized alternatives to the plethora of vintage-styled options already in existence. These look great paired with various casual outfits and could easily double as a rugged companion if required.
Final Thoughts
It seems that Timex has accomplished what rival brand Casio couldn’t.
For years, I and many other Casio fans have been willing to pay more for an upgraded version of their popular digitals, with modern materials and improved performance. Alas, they never delivered. Timex, though, has seemingly given us multiple options.
Timex launched a different 36mm field watch back in mid-2020. That one was called the MK1 mechanical, so how does it compare to these two?
TIMEX MK1 Mechanical Review
Well, luckily I’ve also bought one of those to tag on at the end here. At $199, this watch is priced between the two, but is harder to come by; it’s only available in the EU store at the time of publishing. That price tag only gets you a domed acrylic crystal and half the water resistance but I have to say, this thing is beautiful. It’s lightweight, slim, and has a charming mid-century look executed with even more precision.
From the moment I unboxed it, I realized I’d been sleeping on this for way too long as it’s much sweeter than the subpar stock images indicate. The chapter ring is a particular highlight, with the tiny green lume pips and minuscule minute track that hugs the outer edge.
Unfortunately, it’s not available in any larger sizes, so it could look a bit cartoonish on big wrists.
So, most of these Timex’s are probably worth your money, but a few weeks back, the same company dropped the ball, big time. Click here to see how they sold me a $500 watch with a giant hole in it…then ignored my pleas for help!