Sub-$600 Timex Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass is a Modern-Day MacGyver

• Watchmaker Timex has released an upgraded version of its Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass.
• The 45mm piece is crafted from stainless steel and features a tide tracker, temperature sensor and analogue compass display.
• The Timex Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass 45mm is priced at AUD$530 and is available now.

Forget the small watch trend; Timex is making a case for big and bulky. The American watchmaker has unveiled an upgraded version of its Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass adventure watch that measures in at a whopping 45mm in diameter. However, it is what this timepiece can do that has fans intrigued. With a proverbial arsenal of functions and a case size that commands attention, Timex may well be onto a good thing.

According to Timex, the latest Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass 45mm lands smack bang in the middle of two categories, with the brand describing the new model as the “ultimate accessory for the tech-savvy professional with a love for adventure”. While that might seem unnecessarily diplomatic, the watchmaker’s mixed-use approach fits the bill.

The release arrives in a 316l stainless case with a matching three-link bracelet in a brushed finish, providing a more refined aesthetic compared to the lineup’s more rugged, fabric-strap models. Add the blue dial, which is housed under a mineral glass crystal, and the luminescent hands and hour markers, and you’ve got a handy daily driver that suits the needs of every office worker.

On the flip side, however, Timex has chucked almost everything at the new Expedition, loading the watch up with a stellar collection of outdoor-focused functions. Specifically, the new release features a tide tracker, temperature sensor and analogue compass display; all of which are driven by an orange dedicated fourth hand found on the dial. According to Timex, the bidirectional centre hand of the proprietary Tide-Temp-Compass movement can read the air or water temperature, and can also be set to reflect your local tide conditions. Naturally, you’ll also find polished sections on the crown and pushers, a date feature just above the 6 o’clock marker, and 100 metres of water resistance.

The announcement of the Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass comes just a few months after Timex unveiled a 43mm edition crafted from recycled stainless steel. Complete with a subtle jungle green hue and a slate grey bezel, that iteration ushered in a new design language for Timex’s tool watch category, and it’s encouraging to see some consistency flow through. The only downside with the 45mm is the lack of automatic movement.

The new Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass is powered by a quartz analogue movement which, while highly accurate, is something that could be improved upon; particularly when you consider the enormous heft of 45mm case size. With so much wrist real estate gobbled up to accommodate the size, it’s hard to believe that Timex couldn’t have fit the 21-jewel automatic movement seen in the recent M79 Q models, but I digress. Normally, I would chalk this up to affordability, but in the case of the 45mm Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass, there must be other factors at play.

Priced at AUD$530, the new Timex Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass 45mm is step up from the brand’s generally budget-conscious portfolio, however, it isn’t without merit. The laundry list of new functions, not to mention the use of 316l stainless steel on the case, has significantly improved the design and durability of the rugged adventure-focused timepiece. It might not boast an automatic movement, but there is a lot to like about Timex’s revamped multi-tool watch. The Timex Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass is available from retailers and online now, with prices starting from AUD$530.

Timex Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass 45mm

• Brand: Timex
• Model: Expedition Tide-Temp-Compass 45mm
• Reference: Ref. TW2Y12900
• Diameter: 45mm
• Thickness: 13mm
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Movement: Quartz Analogue
• Battery: CR2016
• Water-Resistance: 100 metres
• Price: AUD$530