Epic Battle! Timex North Expedition TW2V54000 vs Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical H69439931. 2 Field icons. But let's see which one deserves the title of the best budget field watch in 2023. Enjoy!
I love Timex. A lot of history. $400 for a Miyota 8215 is tough to swallow. $150-$200 would be more palatable. Great looking watch tough. Almost a hybrid of field and dive. Your content is incredible. Beautiful camera work.
Aside the water resistance of 200m (and insane case thickness), it's basically Boccia specs, but near of at Hamilton prices. I can understand maybe wanting to buy it just because you want a Timex, or really love the appearance or presence of the watch, despite it not being the best value for money, though.
I have a pretty large watch collection. Omega, Grand Seiko, Tudor...etc. Timex is still my first love, and my quartz Expedition sees plenty of wrist time.
I too have a large collection including, Cartier, Seiko vintage watches, Shinola, Baumé and Mercier, Bulova, and more, but Timex is my favourite. I have an American Documents, and Giorgio Galli S1, and plan on picking up the S2.
Idk where folks are coming off saying the Hamilton watches are priced on par with the timex. Everywhere I look the Hamilton mechanical field watches are almost $200-$400 more, than the Timex is.
Great review. You could make it really interesting and add the Bulova reissued hack to the conversation . It checks all the boxes from a specs perspective and has the historical chops to be with Hamilton and Times.
I bought the Timex North Expedition Solar 36mm case, anti-reflective sapphire crystal at 7.8mm thin. This is definitely a smaller field watch. No titanium. I am a fan of the combination of solar power convenience and quartz accuracy and small size. A truly set it and forget it experience. Except one thing, it is quite beautiful in its simplicity and vintage design.
Good comparison of these two, excellent photo/videography! I currently have the Hamilton Khaki Field Auto Titanium black pvd version so I'm good to go!
I have several of both brands. One of my go to watches is the Hamilton Khaki field mechanical 34 I have from the previous generation with the true ETA in it. The newer ones are almost as good but if were talking about history and historical watches we need to move past modern sizes and go smaller like they were back in the day. Great video as always!
Great review and comparison! The Timex North Expedition is $349 US but has been "Out of stock" for months. The Hamilton Khaki Field is a great watch but is $300 more than the Expedition. You can't beat the price of the Timex North Expedition considering all the specs.
My favourite family of watches ; Field watches. I'm a big fan of Hamilton and snapped up the "Murphy" the week before the recent price hike. I own the Khaki Field as a no nonsense go to classic. I see it as a statement watch. A functional no bullshit watch.
both super cool! I prefer the Mecanical one, simpler, more iconicl Did u get the 42 mm Murph? I am chasing the 39 mm version, I am curious to see how well built it is, compared to this 400$ field.
I'd love to purchase a Hamilton field watch. My only reservation is that I purchased a Citizen field watch in their "Garrison" line some years ago. It has met all my needs for a daily-wear field watch. Buying a Hamilton would be redundant. I can only wear one at a time.
I just got the same month ago! My first real watch. Hamilton's are a no good for me. Not sure what people consider budget, but the model described in this video goes for $800 CAD retail brand new, which is way outside my budget.
I own a Hamilton Khaki automatic 38mm, and paid roughly what you mentioned the price to be. I do love it. The Timex looks great, but the size is a bit off putting. I'm also not ready to pay $400 for a Timex yet. I do know that they are upping their game, and I am excited to see where they are going.
The dial, hands, and logo/font are all beautiful. Case shape is beautiful. Titanium is awesome. But it’s big. It’s too bad it’s not a bit smaller. And I’m curious about the shock resistance. I’d like to see someone take one apart and show the shock absorbing system surrounding the movement. That might make the size easier to justify
I have a pretty big wrist and the Hamilton is just too small. So i guess the Timex would be a great option. And for the price i just found it for it is a steal. Thank you for the very helpful video
@@BraveBeaters first and foremost, a better feel on wrist than the mechanical. It's also slim, sturdy looking, elegant, with better quality printed dial work than the mech. And one of the few white date windows that blends in perfectly with the overall look. And mine is also +2 secs max for over 3 years, which i adore.
Another beautiful video - my favourite watch type is the field watch - I have been lucky to own what I consider the ultimate field watch from a technical perspective (Citizen ProMaster Super Titanium) - U.K. spec - amazing wearing dimensions, single piece sealed case, 300m water resist, double thick sapphire, threaded crown, Eco Drive - G Shock tough but way cooler - sold it for a Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical which is nowhere near as capable but oozes charm - however, for the most authentic field watches I think you have to look at CWC - genuine military issue, uber cool heritage, beautifully made, hands down original and have real warmth - I have a CWC 72 Mellor reissue - it’s the only field watch I’ll ever keep now because I simply won’t find anything more authentic
that Promaster is super cool, interesting diver, I have to see it in flesh. As for CWC, I had G10, W10 tonneau, a chronograph but also the SBS diver, very cool watches but for some reason, they left one by one.
@@BraveBeatersjust wanted to say I subscribed based on this video. Excellent presentation. Great command of language. Will definitely watch you again. Criss from Sydney Australia.
Very fair review, pointing out the limitations of the two watches while also recognizing things they did right. Totally agree that the Timex North is taller than it needs to be. Also, the dial texture will put some people off. Personally I think a flat, matte dial would have been more in keeping with the finishing on thee case, which I really like. I think the case on the Timex, thickness aside, is much better executed as compared to Hamilton. I like blasted finish, but I think the Hamilton is a bit to "grainy" for my taste. Still, it is a great watch at a good price point.
Another top video from the man in the know. Two lovely watches but I would go with the Hamilton all day long. I have the Titanium PVD in black automatic and the Khaki Field automatic day date and for the money the value is hard to beat. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us all Sir.
Great content as always, thank you! Also, love the "buy watches responsibly" messages. Its all too easy to get a little carried away as a collector... I speak from experience.
Man, your videos are fanastic ! I hope Kevin O' Leary sees it but I doubt it. Maybe 'Grasshopper' Teddy will have a bit of a chuckle if he watches it. Getting back to the comparison, there are definitely pros to choosing either of these two watches. The Hamilton is a classic, almost perfect, were it not for the 50m water resistance. The Timex has a bold design of its own while still retaning a field watch identity. Seems a bit pricey though.
I bought the Timex when it was reintroduce after the James Brand collaboration sold out and they made it a full Timex. I paid $350 USD and after wearing it for months, I have forgotten the cost. It is my most accurate automatic watch, among my 20 watches. I have replaced the strap with multiple silicone rubber models to assure the water resistance of the watch is matched by the band. I have zero regrets buying this watch.
the James Brand model is super cool, mainly the same model with small adjustments. yes, the watch has solid specs and works on the beach as well on a rubber :) Cheers!
Great video! By the way, for those who think Mr Wonderful is a watch guru, in one video, he admitted that he had never heard of Doxa! Time for him to back to school. I may not have a Doxa, but at least I know about their long tradition. Also, nice subtitle about buying responsibly!
Really? OMG :D In US, Doxa was always pretty much, a known brand. Watch collecting is addictive, especially the entry level ones. so it's good to have such a message from time to time :) Cheers, Harry!
Help me out guys, am I missing something? The Hamilton is almost $700 here in the UK compared to the $320 for the Timex. Both have Saphire glass but the Timex has longer heritage, 200m water resistance compared to 50m on the Khaki, Better lume, Titanium case, automatic with date window and see through case back. Maybe it’s worth double the price due to brand recognition and lower deprecitation.
the khaki is much better with an anti-reflective crystal swap. Only cuts it down by maybe 20-40% but it really helps with readability and more or less solves that issue for me.
You should pick up a Seiko 5 SRPJ81 or something to that effect, maybe a Boldr Venturer, for 250 bucks and not look back. The Hamiltons around 400 Euros are very solid, but the lume sucks and they surely never, ever heard of AR coating. You're better off with a Seiko 5 with domed Hardlex, at least you end up with a watch that's readable, and if it ever breaks you can chuck an aftermarket sapphire in there. The lume will be visible from the moon, and you've saved half the purchase price. I've had a Hamilton Khaki with sucky AR, and in that price range, if you insist, I'd go for a Smiths PRS-29 if I could get my hands on one of those. They are cracking watches: Good lume, excellent anti-magnetic properties, 100m WR and AR coated sapphire. Above that you're looking at a Seiko Alpinist, Alpinist 1959 re-imagining, or the Baby Alpinist at around 700 bucks. Splendid watches.
Timex Expedition, beats Hamilton like a drum! 5ATM and a push pull crown :) , its a fantastic watch to sit in a watch box permanently. 2 Thumbs up for Timex....the only downside is the miyota 8000 , but if you consider the caliber as a fake automatic, and wind it each morning, its fine, can be very accurate and resilient....usually ends in proper divers with certification and real use.
I love Timex, or should I say I WANT to love Timex, but their higher end pieces just don't seem honestly marketed to me. So I'll just keep my lower spec Expedition Quartz field watches for now and head over to Ali's for a Ronda quartz powered San Martin and Mecha Quartz powered Baltany. The whole automatic field watch thing is nostalgic and all but times have changed, a modern tool watch would utilize a more accurate movement and probably be solar. If I had to pick one if these I'd go for the Hamilton, it's less of a blatant money grab than the Timex.
You are right John, the 100$ expedition is kinda the sweet spot of the line. As for quartz, I agree again, I personally started to trust and to enjoy more and more quartz watches, than manuals or auto. because accuracy, because setting the time. Cheers!
I've had tons of timexs and they are great reliable watches for me it's the expedition because simply it has a crown guard and there are other things but that's just one
Great review. The Timex was a watch I was considering, you succeeded in changing my mind, Laughed out loud at your facial expression when commenting on Mr. Wonderful and the Hamilton!
I have no problem with watching videos of super expensive watches that I can't afford at all. But with your videos you are obviously trying to ruin me...😳😄
No comment on the Hamilton's lack of decent AR coating (which seems pretty essential for a field watch)? You want a full-featured field watch? Consider the Casio Pro Trek PRW-6800-1JF.
Honestly I prefer the Timex model. As I designer everything about it is better. Hate the comic sans looking numerals on the Hamilton as well as their outdated logo. Also being able to see the movement is something that appeals to me, I know other Hamilton models have it so why not that one?
I like the Timex more than I like the Hamilton.. the Dial is less crowded, the titanium case is a nice touch, 200m water resistant and the movement while not the greatest, still does a great job. if you want to pay more for the Hamilton that's fine it's a great watch as well. but you can get these Timex watches second hand fairly cheap. I wouldn't feel confident swimming with the Hamilton so for that reason I choose the Timex.
I own a 40mm Hamilton Khaki auto and a Timex Expedition North (not the titanium version) 38mm case manual wind. Clearly the Hamilton is a better watch. But for a cheaper “beater” watch that I take fishing and camping, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the Timex.
If this had a different movement instead of Miyota 8215, this would be a great buy even for $4000 for a titanium watch. I bought a Timex Marling which was a beautiful watch only to be disappointed because of the Miyota movement and the stuttering seconds hand. Timex could have gone for a NH35 or even a cheaper a ETA clone.
Only wish the timex was 1) even available....2) had that 80 hour reserve the Hamilton has, timex is about half, so really should be worn daily to keep it charged right? Where Hamilton can go a few days without being worn and still have reserve, have you noticed issues with the 40 hour reserve? I like the sapphire and 200m WR...would love to get one but no idea when more will be available...
Seiko 5 sports GMT maybe a better option can get one under $200. The automatic Hamiltons are good for 100 meters but no screw down crown. The mechanical is only 50 mm.
And Hamilton also has a Swiss movement. I’ve never been a fan of the myotas, good to see they’ve been upgraded to hacking now. Still a bit too overpriced for a Timex.
hamilton movement v.s. timex atm which one feature would is for choice?i do not like the low end spec movement on the timex and i do not agree with the atm on the hamilton =at this mid price range i would say that i should be able to find both features a better movemebt and the correct atm so i would not pick either one...
Agree. I just respect this Hamy, just because it's the lowest offering from their portfolio, and the movement is decent. compared to a Murph for example which is 2.5 x the price of this field.
I don't understand. It is 350euros and you can continously get 15% discount. Hamilton kaki might be in 650 range the cheapest what is double price, and the cheapest titanium is 1k. So how they are comparable?
The Khaki Mechanical would be perfect with greater water resistance. It makes no sense that today a field watch has a water resistance of less than 100 meters. In that characteristic the Timex is superior. Now, $400 for that Timex doesn't sound good at all, when we have many micro brands with field watch options offering excellent designs, high quality materials and excellent specifications, especially if we consider how difficult it is to find that North Expedition and the prices on the secondary market.
With regards to timex, I would like to add a Marlin to my collection. 41mm is too large for a field watch. To me, I prefer something smaller. I know there are issues with the miyota 8 series. I would like to have seen a 9 series instead. The Hamilton has great heritage and history. I think it would compliment the 33mm Sturmanskie, a Seiko Gen 1 and a Glycine Airman purist 36mm. I'm tempted to buy a CWC G10 as well.
Marlin is an icon indeed, I have to review one! All mentioned above, killer watches! Gen 1 is super cool and affordable. Airman purist, super cool and G10 only for a decent price :D
Timex makes a mechanical field watch that is mor akin to the Hamilton Khaki. It’s $200 cheaper. I think you me review was honest but idk who is cross shopping a automatic titanium with a mechanical watch. The only thing both watches have in common are price.
Many thanks BB for this interesting video. I've had Timex watches on and off over the decades so will always have a soft spot for them although I think the last Timex that I purchased was a quartz analogue Expedition back in the 2000's and it failed. Pro's for this Timex would be the 200M water resistance, titanium case and a proven Miyota 8 series automatic movement so to quote 'on paper' it's a winner right? Well no, not in this competition anyway. The Hamilton has no date, way less water resistance, manual wind (this could also be a plus) but on the plus side it's slimmer, smaller (as field watches used to be), more at a glance legible and just looks balanced in my humble opinion. The Khaki dial to my old eyes just seems better finished as well. OK, now for the disclaimer, I own the Hamilton on the green NATO but I would not rule out having a look at the Timex if there was a chance but I'm unlikely to pay an inflated price for one. Thank for sharing.
I own a Khaki King and do not understand the hype. History, heritage, etc., but is that truly worth the price for what you're getting? It's sometimes hard to justify, especially when you are talking about a tool watch. The better "tool" should cost more.
Timex expedition is a bit too large for a proper field watch. At 41mm and 50mm lug to lug its not small. A proper field watch should be compact for field use and doesn't get caught on anything. Hence the smaller cased field watches being the classics