It’s not often we see an EDC brand throw their hat in the ring when it comes to watches, so when The James Brand tapped Timex to produce their take on the ideal watch for everyday carry, we take notice. Timex developed this special edition of the Expedition North in collaboration with The James Brand to bring the hallmarks of quality everyday carry gear we look for from your pockets to your wrist.
Inside and out, the James Brand x Timex Expedition North delivers on both function and form. This automatic watch sports a classic Timex silhouette that embodies an adventurous spirit, built to last with EDC-worthy materials like titanium and sapphire, all wrapped up in a stylish yet tough presentation that’s undoubtedly The James Brand. If you’ve been on the hunt for a titanium timepiece that doesn’t break the bank, this might be the EDC watch you’ve been looking for.
From pocket knives to keychain carabiners, the James Brand hasn’t been one to shy away from making gear out of titanium. It’s only fitting that titanium is the material of choice for this EDC-centric collaboration watch. It gives the case hardcore durability for everyday wear while keeping things light for all-day comfort, and its matte finish imparts an “anti-bling” appeal befitting a tool watch like this. At 41mm, the Expedition North is neither too large nor too small. It’s a versatile case size that lends enough presence to the wrist with tasteful proportions.
The same can be said about the watch face—it’s a familiar field watch dial with a 60-minute exterior ring along the outer edge, chunky hour markers, and an internal ring of Arabic numeral markers for 24-hour functionality. The hands are also especially legible with bolder proportions and Super-LumiNova C3 lume to help with low-light visibility. Finally, a date window at the 3 o’clock position and discreet TIMEX and JAMES wordmarks complete the look.
It’s all sitting pretty under a crystal made of anti-reflective coated sapphire, a premium material with exceptional clarity and scratch resistance so you know it’s tough enough to handle daily carry. There’s even sapphire on the back of the case, proudly displaying the watch’s 21-jewel Miyota automatic movement. The watch crown is another example of a marriage of function and form in true James Brand fashion: it sports an insert in the brand’s signature lime green color for some visual interest, but it also screws down to provide 200M of water resistance. Finally, the included strap is fitted with matching beadblasted titanium hardware for a handsome ensemble.
If there’s one thing the EDC crowd loves more than top notch materials and reliable performance from a proven manufacturer, it’s exceptional value. Considering the full titanium case, front-to-back sapphire crystals, 200M water resistance, and automatic movement you get from the James Brand x Timex Expedition North, its $349 price tag offers an unprecedented value. The catch is that this is an extremely limited run, so you’ll have to act fast if you want to secure one for your EDC. It’s available from Timex and The James Brand at the links below.
