It’s a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
Opting for an automatic mechanical watch involves having movements with lots of gears, springs, rotors, and other pieces to work. Where a standard quartz movement condenses all that into a circuit board, part of the allure of having an automatic watch is the mechanism itself, but that mechanism requires a slightly bigger watch, and that bigger size impacts the overall weight. But watches like the new Timex Expedition North Titanium Automatic keep the weight down by using the namesake titanium material instead.
The bead-blasted titanium case allows the 41mm diameter Expedition North to have a heft that wears smaller than its size. In its larger form, however, you get 200 meters of water resistance, which is a lot for a field watch. The larger space also enables more shock resistance for the Japanese automatic movement inside, powering the highly-legible three-hand watch. The dial features Arabic legends, with a Timex Expedition logo at the top. There’s a date window at the 3 o’clock position for your convenience. The hands are big and bright in regular light, and in the dark, the hours, hands, and markers feature Swiss Super-LumiNova lume to make it readable in low-light situations. An exhibition caseback is the final stylish flair to the watch, letting you take a peek into its automatic engine.
What we like: The handsome recycled ocean plastic strap is sustainable for the environment, and it also features easy removal from the 20mm lugs for swapping it out with other straps based on your style and mood.
What to watch out for: Traditional watch enthusiasts tend to have a problem with titanium watches. To them, the lightness is indicative of poor quality and a cheap feeling. But in everyday carry, we know that finding the best materials is part of finding the best tools to do the job, and a titanium watch like the Timex Expedition North Automatic allows for serious weight savings and overall comfort on your wrist.
Final verdict: The Timex Expedition North Titanium Automatic 41mm is a highly easy-to-read field watch featuring a lightweight titanium case, a quality Japanese automatic movement, and a sapphire glass crystal at an attainable price.
