Is the Expedition Field a Good Call in Inexpensive Outdoor Timekeeping?
Timex is a major brand in the affordables market. I have a Timex in my collection, a Weekender Chronograph, and it is one of my favorite daily wearers. My wife Melissa likes the brand, too, and now has her own Weekender Reversible.
The Expedition collection from Timex are more rugged in appearance and design. This one comes in at 43mm, which is on its way to “big watch” territory. Price wise, you can find the Expedition Field for sale at its $80 MSRP, though you’ll generally find it on Amazon for a fair bit less than that.
I wore this Expedition often, from biking to office work and plenty in-between. I think it’s finally time to write this review.
Timex Expedition Field Chronograph Technical Specifications
- Model Number: T499059J
- MSRP: $80
- Case Diameter: 43mm
- Alternate Models: Many, including Acadian, Grid, and Scout versions
- Movement: Quartz Chronograph
- Complications: Chronograph, date display, Indiglo night-light
- Battery Life: Estimated 3 years
- Water Resistance: 100m/330ft
- Crystal Material: Mineral
Timex Expedition Field Chronograph Aesthetics & Design
Thanks mostly to the black steel case and brown leather strap (with its camoflauge-tan stitching and matching dial markers), the Expedition Field looks properly military. It’s not over the top, so the Timex still matches a fairly broad wardrobe.
Compared to the Weekender forty, the Expedition is a little bigger and much more complex. If the two were brothers, the Weekender is off to college while the Expedition is hiking the Himalayas.
The Expedition “E” is engraved on the black steel buckle, as it has been on the caseback as well.
The Expedition Field Chronograph feels like a step away from the design language that I’m used to seeing on a Timex, and I don’t mean that to be a negative thing. It’s got a clear sense of style that has proven itself capable of looking good no matter what you’re doing.
The photos I’m showing here are after almost a year of wear and use. I think it still looks great.
Timex Expedition Field Chronograph Build Quality
I figured that Timex wants you to believe that this thing is rugged and durable. So, I’ve taken this thing biking, hiking, and jogging. I’ve worn in while mowing my lawn, hauling dirt, and tossing wood around. I haven’t been deliberately abusive towards it or anything. I’ve just worn it when doing stuff.
Crystal, Case, & Dial
The Expedition Field handles it like a champ. The black steel case is tough, and the little nicks and dents I’ve put in it are from serious scrapes and drops.
Where it does show some use is on the rim around the crystal, though the crystal itself doesn’t have any scratches in it. It sure does like to get dirty, though. I can see fine scratches and markings in the steel bezel, although they aren’t big enough to be noticeable unless you’re looking for them (the black does a good job blending them in to the rest of the case).
The crystal has no anti-reflective coating, so in direct sunlight the dial can be obscured somewhat by glare.
Strap & Clasp
Timex has fitted this model (T499059J) with a comfortable brown leather strap. It feels soft and pliable, almost like thick leather canvas. At first I was concerned that it would wear really easily, but the opposite has been true. After fairly heavy use it still looks good- you can see some wear, but not as much as its life would have suggested.
It’s comfortable to wear, too. The strap molds to the shape of your wrist effortlessly, and the buckle has holes in the right places for comfortable fitment. It will fit most people quite well.
The Chronograph Movement
Timex uses its W-91 chrongraph movement inside the Expedition Field. In addition to general timekeeping, the W-91 offers date display as well as a 30 minute chronograph.
According to toolwatch.io, the W-91 movement is accurate to 1 second per day- nice. I’m sure the actual accuracy is slightly better than that as toolwatch.io is fairly accurate but certainly not precise.
How to Set the Expedition Field
- To set the time, pull the crown to position 3 and turn the crown clockwise. The movement has a quick set feature- pull the crown to position 2 (middle) and turn the crown to adjust the time forwards/backwards in one hour increments.
- To set the date, pull the crown to position 2 and turn the crown in either direction. Two complete revolutions of the hour hand are required to adjust time by 24 hours.
- To reset the chronograph read the manual here. They’re better at explaining it than I will be 🙂
What Do I Think of the Timex Expedition Field Overall?
It is a good watch, though there are a couple of things that bug me.
First, the Indiglo night-light is present but isn’t nearly as strong as I’ve seen it on other Timex watches. On the Weekender it’s bright enough to clearly illuminate the entire face. On the Expedition Field, only in total darkness is it that bright.
Second, the chronograph hands can be adjusted off of the 12 o’clock position on their dials. This is a little frustrating because I kept on doing it inadvertently, and it’s also a pain to set them back to the vertical position. If you’re a particular person like I am, this can be annoying.
Aside from those two things, there isn’t much to complain about. I enjoy the style of the Expedition Field, and I really like how comfortable it is to wear. It’s a good watch, especially for the price.
Photo Gallery
Another great review! Thanks and please keep ’em coming!
Thank you sir! 🙂
Please do review the Timex MK1.
I’ll see if I can get my hands on one 🙂
I feel your pain.. I’m in Germany and have had no luck finding one either! bummer. also i did a review on my Expedition on my youtube page… i must say that i really like this watch! On the nato band i bought it looks fantastic!
“First, the Indiglo night-light is present but isn’t nearly as strong as I’ve seen it on other Timex watches.”
That’s probably because the black face absorbs most of the light. My cream Weekender’s Indiglo is much brighter than my black Expedition Scout’s.
I’ve had my Expedition Chronograph for a year and, while I don’t wear it every day, I think it’s a handsome watch. What I don’t care for is the regular need to reset the stopwatch second hand at least 25% of the time when I use the chronograph function. I sent the watch back to Timex within the warranty period for repair of this defect – and I do consider it a defect that the second hand (and sometimes the other hands) won’t always reset to zero. The watch was returned to me with a note that there was nothing wrong with the watch and that I should simply pull the crown out to the second position and use the “B” button to reset the hand. Unfortunately, that stops the rest of the movement and the entire time has to be reset. I’ve got several chronographs, one of which is a Breitling and the other is my dad’s WWII Mathey Tissot, and neither one of those watches has such a problem.
I spoke with a Timex representative today and this problem is NOT considered a defect.
I CANNOT recommend this watch to anyone who will use the chronograph function.
I like the look ,the quality the workmanship is excellent and it’s and eye catching watch for dress are outdoors.