Watch Review: Timex Expedition Scout Metal Watch with Leather Strap

A Military Inspired Watch from Timex

I recently received this military-style Timex Expedition Scout watch (Model TK49963) as a Christmas gift.  It offers the simple masculine looks of a military field watch.

Timex Expedition Scout Watch Features

With a cream dial, large black numbers, and Indiglo backlighting, the Timex Expedition Scout is a wonderfully readable timepiece.  The dial has the 12-hours in big numbers and the 24-hours marked off in smaller inset numerals.  The watch is very readable except for the date window which is just inboard of the 3 o'clock marker.  At 50, I find that difficult to discern without reading glasses. 

The Timex Expedition Scout has a base metal case with the etched stainless steel caseback.  The watch takes a standard CR2016 battery.

For an inexpensive watch, the water resistance is a generous 50 meters. The brown strap is genuine leather with a soft suede exterior look and feel and a smooth leather back.  Stitching runs all along the borders of the strap.  The strap is secured via a standard buckle.

Timex Expedition Scout Watch Dimensions

The watch has a perfectly proportioned 40 mm diameter case.  This is large enough for easy reading without being oversized.  The watch strap is a little narrow, but is long enough to fit my rather large wrists.  At no point, will you look at this watch and wonder if it was designed for a woman.

I find this watch to generally be very comfortable for daily wear.  If the watch rubs anywhere, it is at the clasp buckle.

At night time, the dial can be illuminated by pushing in the crown.  However, as you can see from this night time shot, the watch is quite readable when illuminated by street lights.

Update 1/6/18

For some reason, a few days after I initially posted this review, the indiglo feature of my Timex stopped working.  The watch itself still runs just fine, but the dial no longer illuminates at the push of a button.  This is a bit of a disappointment since the backlighting is useful from time to time and it is a major selling feature of the watch.

Conclusion

Overall, I still like the looks of this Timex Expedition Scout watch.  I really like military-style watches and this Timex delivers that look at an affordable price.  The failure of the indiglo feature is the first problem I've ever had with a Timex and I may try to get a replacement via the warranty.  This watch retails for $59.99 at Kohls before applying Kohl's cash or various discount coupons that come with catalog mailings.  If you play your discounts and sales right, you can get this watch (with Indiglo backlighting) at a very affordable price point.  If your backlight function goes out, this watch is more like a $15 to $20 timepiece.  Additionally, Amazon has many affordable versions of this Timex Expedition Scout.

[Update:  I noticed on Amazon that Timex is now offering a solar-powered version of their 40mm Timex Expedition Scout watch.  No fuss. No muss. No batteries.]

Wristwatch Review: Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch

Reviewing a Classic Military-Style Timex 

Do you need to liberate France? If so, you might check out the Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch.   Originally published by me on Yahoo Contributors Network, this review examines a Timex watch that looks like World War II relic.

Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch

Adventure is always just around the corner. All it takes is a willingness to take a walk in the woods or drive down a country road. If you are looking for a watch with an adventurous spirit, you might check out the Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch. After weeks of researching military-style field watches, I simply happened across this Expedition on the shelves of my local Walmart. Priced at only$39.92, I couldn't let it languish on the shelf.

Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch in front of the Atlanta Millennium Gate Museum

Patterned after classic military field watches and aviation watches of World War II, this Timex Expedition has a vintage sensibility with a low key brown face, a base metal case (with brass doing a great imitation of stainless steel), and a weathered-looking brown leather band. In terms of looks and style, this Timex field watch nails the vintage field watch look precisely. However, the vintage looks are only skin deep, the watch has a modern quartz movement and an Indiglo illumination for the dial. While field watches look like they may have marched across Europe and would look great on a camping trip, they also work well with the khaki pants and earth toned polo shirts that have conquered America's business casual workplace. To me, this ruggedly-constructed Timex looks a little more suitable for the office than the woods.

The Timex Expedition liberates France or a mini Eiffel Tower in Atlanta

At heart, the Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch is a no nonsense watch with readable numbers 1 through 12, a stainless steel case back, a mineral glass crystal, a protected crown, and 50-meter water resistance. The watch is 40 millimeters in diameter and 10 millimeters thick. The leather band easily accommodated my now 7 and 1/2 inch wrists with 3 adjustment points to go. The case back is etched with the Timex Expedition logo. The case back etching also conveys additional information like the water resistance, the Timex URL, and the battery type. Additional small numerals at 5 minute intervals are found on the inner wall of the bezel in the space between the watch face and the crystal.

While nice looking field watches from elite manufacturers can run hundreds or even thousands of dollars, Timex sells this Expedition online for $54. However, the every day low price of this watch at Walmart makes it a very affordable part of any adventure. At the $40 big box store price point, you could easily issue this Timex to all of your troops without running a deficit or breaking your family treasury.

Sources:
Timex.com
Amazon.com

Timex versus Hamilton Comparison

I recently came across this comparison video between a Timex Expedition and a similarly styled Hamilton wristwatch.  It's an interesting comparison between a $30 and a $300 watch.

When you choose between a Timex and a Hamilton, you make a choice between cost and heritage.  While the Hamilton is finished a little more nicely, the Timex does the job.  However, Timex was only an official military watch for a short time around 1982.  In contrast, Hamilton has a longer heritage of military watch making.  During World War II, Hamilton Type 22 movements were used as ships chronometers.  You can read more about them on the Vintage Hamilton Watch Restoration Blog.

Photos by Bonsairolex (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

In total, Hamilton supplied around a million mechanical watches to U.S. troops in World War II.  Today, Hamilton is a subsidiary of the big powerhouse watch company known as the Swatch group.

Hamilton Khaki Field Watch Photo By 李中中123 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you only have about $35, you pretty much have to go with the Timex.  But, if you can spend a little more, you can get a military-style watch from a company that once supplied the real deal in World War II.  I find the Timex watches fit my budget much better, but the Hamilton watches sure would look good on the wrist!

A Quick Guide to Military Watches

If you are still stumped for Christmas gift ideas for that macho, macho, man on your gift list.  You might consider getting him a military watch.  Watches with a vintage military look are in style.  Plus, a military watch won't break the budget.  Some of my favorites military-style watches are from Timex. 

Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch Overcomes Barbed Wire

My favorite military-style watch is my Timex Vintage Metal Expedition Field Watch.  It just has the look!  Here are some photos of it on an actual expedition.  (O.K., O.K., I was just walking the dog.  But, can't a guy daydream?)

Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch Encounters an Enemy Pillbox

Unfortunately, watch styles come and go. As of July 2025, this particular watch is no longer for sale on Amazon. However, the Timex Expedition series of watch has plenty of rugged looking watches that come close. Here is the complete line of Amazon Timex Expedition watches for men.

Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch Liberating Paris???

Since I created this post in 2013, military-inspired field watches have only grown more popular. This post on The Baseline Starting Point for Field Watches will give you some idea of where to get started.

Nice Military Timex Spotted at Walmart

Timex has been bringing their A-game to my local Walmart.  I recently saw one of their premium military-inspired Expedition watches on display.  The price is competitive for this model as well.

A cool looking Timex Expedition

It's a little more rugged looking than my current Timex Expedition Military Field watch.  In black, it has tactical mall ninja written all over it.  They also have this style of Timex field watch for a reasonable price.  It's nice to see something interesting behind the watch counter again!