Field Watch Vibes?... Dressing The Timex Expedition

Previously we’ve shared that not all watches fall neatly into certain horological genres, like this GMT watch. Well, today’s watch falls into a similar conundrum… Timex Expedition, an affordable series of watches designed to project the outdoorsy image… Except that they’re not true field watches. No doubt, they look the part, and exude the great outdoor vibes. But alas, its DNA didn’t code for the rough and tough outdoor life…

Close-up of the Timex Expedition, a pseudo field watch. Note the stock, olive nylon strap. — Timex Expedition series. Exact model unknown, most likely discontinued.
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Timex Expedition – Field Watches And Pseudo Field Watches

Let’s get one thing straight off the bat – I can’t seem to identify the exact model for today’s featured watch. So if any of you know the specific model name and/or reference number, please leave a comment below.

The Timex Expedition covers a rather wide range of models. And some models actually fall neatly into what I consider true field watches. This particular example, however, isn’t one of them. It does look the part though, especially with the neutral “field” colours of black, brown and olive. Then throw in the stencilled-style Arabic numerals, and minute markers on the fixed bezel. You now have the appearance of a typical field watch… Except, this watch doesn’t feature sufficient water resistance, nor heavy-duty case and strap.

Close-up of the Timex Expedition on the wrist, side angle, emphasising the stock olive nylon strap. This is a typical feature for field watches. — The rather mediocre, worn down, two-piece nylon strap in olive. They got the looks right, just not the toughness required for an actual field watch.
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So no, this particular Timex isn’t a true field watch. I consider this a “field-style” watch. A tough-looking, all-rounder watch at best. If you want a refresher of the different genres of watches, take a look at this previous article.

Pairing The Pseudo Field Watch With Classic Menswear

Just like a typical sport watch, this “field-style” watch also doesn’t suit up well. But swapping the outdoorsy looking, nylon strap with leather ones will dress it up half-a-notch. A good change for a worn down, tired looking strap like its stock strap. I bet you couldn’t even tell from this image that it’s actually olive, and not black.

(1) Business Formal

Solid charcoal grey suit, solid white shirt, solid burgundy tie, and solid white pocket square. — Two-piece, solid charcoal grey suit, with a solid white shirt, solid burgundy tie, and solid white pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of solid black plain toe Oxford dress shoes. — Solid black, plain-toe Oxfords, are as conservative as you can go.
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A definite NO – Field (or field-style) watches have no business pairing with formal attire. Not even if you swap the nylon strap for a black leather one.

(2) Business Semi-Formal

Solid olive green suit, solid blue shirt with white contrasting collar and cuffs. Burgundy tie with small repeating patterns, and pocket square. — Two-piece, solid olive green suit, with sporty, slanted hip pockets, and a ticket pocket above the right hip pocket. A pale blue shirt with contrasting collar and cuffs, small-patterned burgundy tie and coordinating pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of whole cut in ox blood, with wingtip patterned brogue. Another type of typical dress shoes. — Whole cut in ox blood, with burnished toes, and wingtip patterned brogue.
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Same as above, another NO – Semi-formal is still too formal to pair with a field (or field-style) watch.

(3) Business Informal

Solid navy, double breasted blazer, with 6 X 2 gold buttons. Solid blue shirt with navy and yellow regimental striped tie, solid grey trousers, and pocket square. — Double breasted navy blazer with 6 X 2 gold buttons. Solid pale blue shirt with navy and yellow regimental striped tie. Solid medium grey trousers, and a contrasting pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of brown double monk-straps. A less dressy dress shoes. — Brown, double monk-straps, to exude a more playful vibe.
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NO / MAYBE – No to this specific Timex, but a maybe for a dressier looking field watch?… After all, the modern blazer descended from above water sporting apparels. But then again, fieldcraft activities do look like fish out of the water aboard yachts or in rowing competitions…

(4) Business Casual

Grey sport jacket in mini-Glen check weave, a solid pink OCBD shirt with block stripe knit tie in autumn colours, and a pair of solid burgundy chinos. — Grey sport jacket in mini-Glen check weave. Solid pink OCBD shirt with a knit tie in autumn colours. Solid burgundy chinos, and a contrasting pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of brown penny loafers. One of the least dressy dress shoes. — Brown penny loafers, a typical “less dressy” dress shoes.
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Close-up of the Timex Expedition, a pseudo field watch. Note the brown leather strap. — Swap the stock olive nylon strap with a brown leather one, and it doesn’t look half as bad.
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YES – I’m starting to feel a little more comfortable pairing this particular Timex with this outfit. But only if you swap the stock nylon strap with brown leather ones, to coordinate with the shoes.

(5) Dressy Casual

Unstructured, charcoal brown flannel sport jacket, denim OCBD shirt, and khaki chinos. — Charcoal brown, unstructured sport jacket with an open collared denim OCBD shirt. Khaki chinos, and a contrasting pocket square.
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Close up of a pair of khaki canvas derbies. — Derby shoes in tan canvas stretch what it means to be “dress” shoes.
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Close-up of the Timex Expedition on the wrist, side angle, emphasising the black leather strap. This "stealth" look dresses up field watches. — Swap the stock olive nylon strap with a black leather one to give it a “stealth” look. Since the shoes are no longer leather, there are no leathers to match anymore.
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YES – Field (or field-style) watches are definitely casual enough to pair with the dressy casual outfit.

(6) Just Casual

Denim trucker jacket, solid white t-shirt, and solid olive green jeans. — Denim trucker jacket, solid white t-shirt, and olive green jeans.
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Close-up of a pair of white trainers. — White trainers, with a thin red and black stripe. A stereotypical pair of casual footwear.
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Most definitely YES – Even with its stock olive nylon strap. If you ask me, this is the best pairing for a field watch… Or in this case, a field-style watch.

How Would I Style This Pseudo Field Watch?

You’ve probably guessed my preference of pairing this Timex field-style watch with earthy, neutral tones. Short of camping or hiking, this is my outfit of choice to bring out the best in this watch.

Single breasted sport jacket in puppy tooth weave. Navy, tan and white plaid flannel shirt. And the Timex Expedition with brown leather strap, showcasing a casual looking field watch. — A dressy casual outfit consisting mainly of earthy, neutral tones. Browns, tans, and a hint of navy picking up the blue hue anti-reflective coating on the watch’s crystal.
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Close-up of the Timex Expedition on brown leather strap. Worn with a black and brown, puppy tooth weave sport jacket, and a navy, tan and white plaid flannel shirt. This showcases a casual looking field watch. — Close-up of the earthy colour palette on the wrist. And yes, I’m well aware of the deep scratch on the crystal.
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Disclaimer – This Watch Is A Loaner Unit

Timex Group USA, Inc. did not sponsor the watch featured here. Instead, it’s a personal watch belonging to a long-time partner of this series – Mr X, a fellow horology enthusiast. A well-seasoned watch indeed. You can probably tell from the patina on the watch case, not to mention the deep scratch on the crystal. Nevertheless, a well-loved watch. A gracious thanks to Mr X for allowing us to feature another one of his personal watches in this series.

Caffeine fuels us to keep churning out more stories like this. So if you like where this series is heading, do consider buying me a coffee. And coming up for the next episode, we’ll take a look at the quintessential dive watch. No, I don’t mean a dressy dive watch like this one, but a true blue dive watch. And don’t forget to leave your questions and comments below.

Field Watch Vibes?… Dressing The Timex Expedition