Timex Expedition North Field Solar Review: A Practical Everyday Field Watch

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No one does affordable field watches quite like Timex, and this one is a good reminder of that. This piece became my daily watch for pretty much everything for a few weeks.

The Timex Expedition North Field Solar TW2V64100 is a straightforward watch on paper: a 41 mm field watch, solar quartz movement, and an eco-leather strap. On paper it seems modest. In real life it offers a mixture of practicality, durability, and everyday usability. In this review I describe how it wears on the wrist, how it performs in daily life, what works well, and where it falls a bit short.

This Expedition North uses a 41 mm stainless steel case with a thickness around 12 mm. The brushed and bead-blasted finish gives it a rugged, utilitarian feel that clearly leans toward a field tool rather than a dress watch.

The inclusion of sapphire crystal is a strong feature in this price segment. It resists scratches and delivers a sense of quality that lifts the overall feel beyond a simple budget watch. With 100 meter water resistance, the watch is ready for everyday water exposure, light swimming or rain without worries.

After a few days I stopped thinking about the watch entirely. It just became part of my routine. I would glance at it during work, at the gym, while running errands, and it never once felt out of place.

The dial is a matte black (which in some light can show more charcoal tones) with full Arabic numerals and a clean layout. Under almost any lighting condition the dial is sharp and easy to read at a glance. The sapphire crystal reduces distortion. In bright light, reflections are manageable depending on the viewing angle.

In low light the lume is modest. It is enough for a glance at the time in subdued lighting but does not hold brightness for long. For a field watch in this price range that is expected. The lack of a backlight feature means you rely purely on the lume for visibility in darker conditions.

How to Charge a Solar Timex North Expedition

One thing I learned quickly is that charging a solar Timex is not complicated, but there are smarter ways to do it. The official recommendation is simple: expose the watch to light, ideally direct sunlight, until it reaches a full charge. In reality sunlight works, but it works slowly. When I first put the watch on the windowsill it took quite a while to build a stable charge. After about forty minutes in direct sun it still dropped after a few days of wear.

That is when I tried something that made a noticeable difference. You can charge a solar Timex indoors using a powerful LED flashlight held a few centimeters from the dial. Ten minutes under a strong light source gave me more real world battery life than almost an hour of sunlight through a window.

Truly works like a charm!

Strap Wearability and Versatility

The watch comes with a 20 mm eco-leather strap. The brown strap pairs well with the rugged stainless steel case and black dial. It delivers a slightly vintage field-watch vibe that suits both casual everyday wear and slightly more dressed-down styles.

When new the strap feels somewhat stiff, but after a few days of wear it softens and begins to hug the wrist more comfortably. For many users it will serve fine as is for daily wear. Others may choose to swap the strap for NATO, canvas or rubber to lean more toward an outdoor or beater watch aesthetic. The 20 mm lug width makes such changes easy and offers good versatility depending on use or style.

The first time I swapped the strap for a single pass rubber one, the watch transformed instantly. It went from classic field practicality to a much cleaner, almost modern tool vibe.

This flexibility makes this watch a good “do everything” companion, whether you are at the office, traveling, or out hiking.

Who It Works Well For and Who Might Pass

This watch is an excellent choice for people who want a versatile everyday watch. It suits those who value convenience and low maintenance thanks to solar power and water resistance. It will satisfy wearers who prefer clean, classic field-watch styling and a simple, no-frills dial. It is also a solid entry point into “real” watches without spending too much.

On the other hand it may not satisfy those who want strong lume or a backlight feature. People with smaller wrists might find the 41 mm case a bit large. Those seeking a more refined, dressy or luxury feel may find the utilitarian design too plain.

Pricing, Availability and Where to Get One

In Europe, the Timex Expedition North Field Solar TW2V64100 typically retails around €140 to €179, depending on the store and ongoing promotions. Discounts are common, especially through large online retailers and fashion marketplaces. The model is widely available across Europe through Timex’s official site and authorized sellers, making it easy to find at a competitive price.

Verdict

✅ What works particularly well:

• The weight and comfort make this an ideal daily beater. It disappears on the wrist and never feels bulky.
• The design strikes a balance between simple and interesting. The textured dial and orange accents give it personality without going too far.
• The movement keeps time reliably and makes the watch feel dependable.
• Solar performance is surprisingly good once charged properly. With the LED method it truly becomes a set and forget watch.

❌ What doesn’t quite reach perfection:

• The lume is barely decent. It fades quickly and does not support night use well.
• The case finishing is good but could be a little more refined. It is not bad, but small improvements would elevate the feel.
• At 41 mm and with a long lug to lug, it may feel just a bit large on smaller wrists.

Final thoughts

These drawbacks are relatively minor given the price and the overall performance of the watch. The Timex Expedition North Field Solar TW2V64100 delivers strong everyday usability, excellent comfort and reliable solar convenience. It earns its place as a practical and enjoyable grab and go field watch.