Timex Expedition North Field Post Solar Review: Timex Finally Gets Serious

Timex has been the butt of plenty of watch jokes over the years, cheap quartz, Indiglo gimmicks, drugstore displays. But every now and then, they drop something that makes even seasoned collectors do a double-take. The Timex Expedition North Field Post Solar 41mm is one of those moments.

This is not your usual throwaway Timex. We’re talking a full stainless steel case, bead blasted gunmetal finish, sapphire crystal, screw down crown, screw down case back, and 100 meters of water resistance from a company more known for plastic cased beaters.

At around 170 to 180 dollars, it’s not cheap by Timex standards, but it’s still half the price of something like the Vaer C5, which is its closest real competition.

I’ve worn this watch, lived with it, and tested it like I do with every piece of gear I cover. The bottom line? It’s a wild and unexpected upgrade from Timex. But it isn’t perfect, and I’ll tell you exactly where it falls short.

Key Specs: Timex Expedition North Field Post

Product: TW2V03700
Movement: Quartz analog, solar powered
Crystal: Sapphire
Case Diameter: 41mm
Case Thickness: 12mm
Case Material: Stainless steel, brushed bead blasted gunmetal finish
Water Resistance: 100m, screw down crown and case back
Dial: Green with full Arabic numerals, 12 and 24 hour layout
Strap Width: 20mm
Strap: Eco conscious recycled nylon
Price: 170 to 180 dollars

First Impressions

Pull this thing out of the box and you immediately know it’s not a typical Timex. It feels heavier, denser, and more like a real field watch than the stamped out cases they usually sling at Target.

The bead blasted gunmetal finish gives it a subdued, almost retro military vibe without going full cosplay. The dial is clean and functional: matte green background, full Arabic numerals, 24 hour markings, and a no nonsense date window at 3.

And yes, it has a sapphire crystal. At this price, that’s rare. Most budget field watches are stuck with mineral glass that scratches if you look at it sideways.

Not here. Timex clearly decided to flex its manufacturing muscle and finally give buyers something they can wear for years without turning the dial into sandpaper.

Case and Build Quality

This is where the Expedition North separates itself from the herd. The 41mm stainless steel case, though I measured closer to 40.5, sits comfortably on the wrist without feeling oversized. At 12mm thick, it has some height, but the proportions work. It’s not a hockey puck.

The brushed and bead blasted finish looks fantastic, muted, tactical, and far more premium than Timex’s usual shiny chrome look. The screw down crown is a huge win. I’ve lost count of how many Timex watches have been limited to 50m water resistance with flimsy push pull crowns.

Here, you get a proper screw down crown and case back, pushing it to 100m WR. That makes this a legitimate tool watch, not just a desk diver wannabe.

Flip it over and the case back is cleanly engraved with the Expedition North logo and all the usual specs. It’s tight, sturdy, and gives off a sense of quality that I’ve rarely felt in a sub 200 dollar Timex.

The Dial and Hands

The dial is what you’d expect from a good field watch, simple, legible, and to the point. The green dial is matte enough to cut reflections but still allows light to charge the solar module beneath. Timex did a nice job hiding the solar panel, so you don’t get the cheap see through effect that ruins some solar dials.

Hands are broad, field style with syringe tips. They’re painted white and filled with lume that’s surprisingly decent for Timex. Is it Seiko lume? No. But I wore this watch to bed and woke up a few hours later still able to read the time without blasting it with a flashlight. For Timex, that’s a win.

Movement: The Good and the Bad

Timex stuffed a Japanese solar quartz movement inside, good for about four months of power on a full charge. That’s not as long as Seiko or Citizen solar movements, which can stretch to six to ten months, but in practice, it doesn’t matter. If you wear the watch or leave it near a window, it’ll stay charged.

Accuracy is solid at around plus or minus 15 seconds per month, which is typical quartz territory. Reliability isn’t an issue.

But here’s my gripe: the second hand bounce. Timex still hasn’t refined their quartz movements enough to eliminate that jitter you see when the seconds hand hits or overshoots the markers. Some watches in this price bracket nail it smoother.

Timex hasn’t caught up there yet, and once you notice it, it’s hard to unsee. Does it ruin the watch? No. But it reminds you that this is still a Timex, not a Grand Seiko.

Strap and the Eco Marketing Spin

Now, let’s talk about the strap. Timex makes a point of telling you it’s made from 100 percent post consumer recycled nylon. They print eco conscious everywhere. Supposedly it’s about reducing carbon footprints and saving the planet.

Here’s the truth: I don’t care. In fact, it’s a turn off. I hate when companies start throwing around zero emissions or carbon neutral slogans. Those are fake metrics and corporate spin. What matters to me is whether the strap is comfortable and durable.

And honestly? This one is just okay. It’s soft enough to wear, but the holes stretch quickly, and I’ve already seen fraying. It’ll hold up for a while, but I wouldn’t trust it for years of hard use.

Toss it in the strap drawer and put this watch on a proper NATO, a leather strap, or even a Barton silicone band, and it instantly feels more solid.

If recycled nylon matters to you, fine. But I’m buying a field watch for its build quality and reliability, not because Timex marketing says it’s green.

On the Wrist

At 41mm with 50mm lug to lug, it wears bigger than a vintage field watch but still manageable for average wrists. On my 7 inch wrist, it sits well without overhang. The green dial with gunmetal case looks sharp and versatile, casual enough for jeans, rugged enough for outdoor use.

The watch isn’t light, but that’s a positive. It feels dense, like a proper steel watch should. The proportions and the matte finishing make it look more expensive than it is. Swap the strap and it goes from budget Timex to something that could easily pass for a 300 dollar field watch.

Comparisons

Vaer C5 Solar, 300 to 350 dollars: Similar vibe, also solar powered, also well built. But it’s nearly double the price. The Vaer has smoother finishing and a more refined movement, but for half the cost, the Timex is competing in the same weight class.

Citizen Eco Drive BM8180, 150 to 170 dollars: Classic budget field solar watch. Smaller at 37mm, but the Eco Drive movement is superior with a 6 month plus reserve. The Timex wins on case construction and sapphire.

Seiko Solar Field Watches, 200 dollars and up: Typically chunkier, but with better lume and smoother seconds hand action. Still, Seiko cuts corners with Hardlex, while Timex gives you sapphire here.

The Verdict

The Timex Expedition North Field Post Solar 41mm is the most serious field watch Timex has ever made at this price point.

You get a stainless steel case with bead blasted gunmetal finish, screw down crown and case back, 100m water resistance, solar powered quartz movement, and sapphire crystal, all for under 200 dollars. That’s impressive.

Is it perfect? No. The seconds hand bounce is still there. The strap is a disappointment wrapped in greenwashing PR. And the 4 month power reserve is weaker than the competition.

But in terms of looks, feel, and build quality, this watch is a massive leap forward for Timex. If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable, and actually good looking field solar watch, this one belongs on your shortlist.

Final Thoughts

Timex shocked me with this release. I bought it expecting just another cheap Timex, and instead got a rugged, thoughtfully built tool watch that could easily be someone’s daily driver. It still has flaws, but it also has character, and that’s something a lot of sub 200 dollar watches lack.

If you want a budget solar field watch that actually feels like a tool and not a toy, buy this. Just don’t expect me to clap for the recycled strap.