Timex is giving watch buyers another reason to look at its Expedition Pioneer Automatic lineup, with two new stainless-steel models priced from $429. The new watches combine a Japanese Miyota automatic movement with a sapphire crystal, sapphire exhibition caseback, and 200-meter water resistance, putting several features together at a price that is competitive with many entry-level mechanical dive watches.
The new Timex Expedition Pioneer Automatic is available in two references. The TW2Y87400 comes with a stainless-steel bracelet for $459, while the TW2Y87500 uses a brown leather strap and costs $429. Both versions use the same 41 mm stainless-steel case, 48 mm lug-to-lug measurement, and 14 mm thickness. Timex combines brushed and polished surfaces with a sapphire crystal that has an anti-glare coating.
Inside, Timex has selected the Miyota 8215, a Japanese automatic movement that the company has used in previous watches. This is different from the titanium Expedition Pioneer introduced earlier, which uses a Seiko NH35A movement. The Miyota 8215 is generally quoted at around 40 hours of power reserve, although Timex has not published an official power-reserve figure for these new models.
The pricing is also worth noting if you are comparing the new steel models with the titanium versions. The previous titanium Expedition Pioneer was priced at $449 with a rubber strap and $549 with a bracelet. That makes the $459 stainless-steel bracelet model almost $90 cheaper than the titanium bracelet version, while the $429 leather model is $20 below the cheapest titanium configuration.
The main features include:
- 41 mm brushed and polished stainless-steel case
- 200-meter water resistance
- Sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating
- Sapphire exhibition caseback
- Japanese Miyota 8215 automatic movement
- 48 mm lug-to-lug measurement
- 14 mm case thickness
- Luminous hands and applied hour markers
- Date window at 3 o’clock
- Stainless-steel bracelet or brown leather strap
- $429 starting price
Timex has also fitted the watches with a rotating top ring, although there is a specification discrepancy worth mentioning. Timex’s feature badges indicate a bidirectional turning bezel, while the product description calls it a unidirectional ratcheting bezel. Buyers interested in the watch may want to confirm the bezel mechanism before purchasing.
Both new Timex Expedition Pioneer Automatic models are listed on the company’s US store. With sapphire protection, a Japanese automatic movement, and 200-meter water resistance, the $429 leather version and $459 bracelet model offer a more affordable route into Timex’s mechanical Expedition range.
