Expedition Titanium TW2W78100 Timex's 48 g field watch goes to 200 m

What is new about the Expedition Titanium TW2W78100?

Timex has made titanium Expedition watches before, but they were bigger and dearer automatics: the Field Post Titanium Automatic and the Pioneer Titanium models all measure 41 mm. The Expedition Titanium 38mm brings the material down to a smaller, simpler quartz watch. Timex UK listed this green-dial TW2W78100 in March 2025, alongside a grey-dial TW2W78200, and a black-dial TW2W78000 also appears at retailers.

The recipe is a classic field watch: a full ring of Arabic numerals, a date at 3 o'clock, luminous hands and a guard around the crown. What lifts it above a basic Expedition Scout is the specification. Timex lists a titanium case, a sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown, a screw-on case back and 200 m of water resistance. The case is bead-blasted, so it reads as matte grey metal rather than polished steel, which suits the deep green dial.

How big is it, and how will it wear?

Timex UK gives a 38 mm case diameter, a 12.5 mm case height and a 20 mm lug width. It does not publish a lug to lug figure, so if your wrist is small, check that measurement with a retailer or try one in a shop. The standout number is the weight: Timex quotes 48.15 g for the whole watch, which is very light for a sapphire-crystal tool watch rated to 200 m.

The 38 mm width is the traditional field watch size and should sit comfortably on most wrists. The thickness is the figure to think about. A 12.5 mm case on a 38 mm diameter is chunky in proportion, and a buyer review of the black version on the retailer Watchard makes the same point. If you wear your watch under a shirt cuff, it may catch more than a slim Timex Weekender would.

What movement does it use, and how accurate is it?

Inside is a quartz analogue movement that runs on an SR626SW battery. Timex does not name the calibre or publish an accuracy figure for this model, so treat any specific number you see elsewhere with care. As a type, a quartz movement keeps far steadier time than a budget automatic, never needs winding and only asks for a battery change every few years.

There is no solar charging here, unlike Timex's Expedition Field Post Solar, and the UK product page does not mention Indiglo. Expect the luminous hands to do the work after dark rather than a backlight.

How well is it built?

On paper, very well for the money. Titanium is lighter than steel and is a good choice for anyone who reacts to nickel. Sapphire is the most scratch-resistant crystal you can get at this price, and Timex pairs it with a screw-down crown, a crown guard and a screw-on back to back up the 200 m rating. Timex also describes the case as shock resistant.

The strap is the weak point for an outdoor watch. Timex UK's description says it is a smooth-grain Italian leather strap with contrast stitching, sourced from a tannery gold-rated by the Leather Working Group, while the specification table on the same page lists the band material as eco-conscious material. Either way it is black, it fastens with a buckle and it is not something you want to take into the sea. The 20 mm lugs take any standard nylon or rubber strap, which is the obvious fix.

Is it good value against its rivals?

At an RRP of £240, it sits in an interesting spot. Timex's own Expedition Field Post Solar 41mm costs £180 on a silicone strap. It also has a sapphire crystal and a screw-down crown, adds solar charging, but uses a larger stainless steel case. Seiko's 5 Sports Field range starts higher: the 42.5 mm HDB005 is £340 at Seiko UK, with an automatic 4R36 movement but a Hardlex crystal rather than sapphire, 100 m of water resistance and a 14.2 mm case.

So the Timex trades the appeal of an automatic for a lighter case, a harder crystal and more water resistance. For a watch that will be knocked about on walks, camping trips and the school run, that is a sensible bargain. If you want a mechanical movement to enjoy, the Seiko or Timex's Expedition Capstone Automatic make more sense.

What is the catch?

There are three. First, the thickness: 12.5 mm is a lot for a 38 mm quartz watch, and it is the drawback a Watchard buyer of the black version picks out. Second, the leather strap undercuts the 200 m rating, so budget for a second strap if you plan to swim. Third, at £240 some buyers will expect solar power or an automatic movement, and this is a plain battery quartz.

None of these is a deal breaker. If you want a light, scratch-resistant field watch that you can swim in once the strap is swapped, the Expedition Titanium 38mm is one of the more sensible ways to spend £240 at Timex.

“Titanium, sapphire and 200 m in a 48 g field watch: the strap is the only part that isn't ready for the outdoors.”

What do owners say?

Themes from public owner feedback, paraphrased. We never copy Amazon reviews or ratings.

• A buyer of the black version says it is light and solid, but thick for its width

  Watchard customer reviews (opens in a new tab)

• The same buyer says the leather strap is hard to swim in and suggests a NATO strap

  Watchard customer reviews (opens in a new tab)

• Another buyer is struck by how light the titanium case is

  Watchard customer reviews (opens in a new tab)