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As the name would suggest, the Timex Weekender has been seen as a go-to weekend watch for many years now
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It's attractive, low-cost, comes in two sizes, as well as a huge variety of colours
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While it's a fun throw-on piece, it also has some infamous downsides
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The most obvious of which is that eardrum-busting ticking noise. Good luck getting to sleep when this is within a one-kilometer radius
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While the movement is likely the main culprit, the case probably doesn't help
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The poor seal used only permits the watch a three-bar splash rate. resistance. The material itself is also questionable, as chromed brass wears out faster than
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stainless steel and is more susceptible to corrosion over time. If only you could pay extra to
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eliminate those downsides. We'd be onto a winner, right? Go on there, was it called
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Okay, one sec. Okay, one sec. Yeah, I must've missed that one
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Yeah, I must've missed that one. Looks promising. Yeah, I know I said the Gally S one look promising too
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but I'm not planning on roasting you again. Depends how bad the watches
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Hey, you do I start at first. You do know I'm filming this right now
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I probably get 20 years for this. And you're on the left of my screen. Thank you. Wait a minute
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How did you get my number? Well, it turns out Timex has read my mind
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Late last year, they released a bunch of interesting field watches under the Expedition North banner
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On the surface, these seem to essentially be upgraded versions of the cheaper weekender and Expedition watches that have been around for some time now
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I was pretty intrigued by this, so I pulled the train. trigger on two of these field post watches
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both of which are linked in the video description. One is the 38mm mechanical
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and the second is the 36 millimeter solar which also comes in a 41 millimeter variant Is it worth stumping up the extra cash to grab one of these or are they an unnecessary waste of money While I do know that our sponsor Watch Crunch is about as good value as it gets
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free access to a community of like-minded watch lovers? Sign me up
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Oh wait, I already have. If you're looking to share your thoughts or questions with no fear of getting roasted
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or sniped for that matter, then Watch Crunch is the place to be. Not only can you join discussions about the latest releases
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but you can venture down the rabbit hole to discover pieces you never knew existed
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Recently, I've been using Watch Crunch to research the best watch straps, with the hope of upgrading some of my old ones
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The modern layout and clever search functions have made this process a breeze
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and I've quickly racked up a bunch of suggestions, as well as a variety of perspectives to consider
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You can also jump to your favorite topics using the hashtags feature, which not only include your favorite brands
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but also a dedicated vintage section if you're feeling bold. I've just made a post about both of these Timex
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watches and their design history, you can join the conversation by using the link to watch
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crunch in the video description. Okay, I'm going to start with a mechanical because that's the one
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I was most interested in beforehand. Mainly because loads of you suggested it in my Hamilton
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versus Bullover video, there's a viable budget alternative to that Hamilton khaki. On the surface
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it does appear to be a khaki clone, with an identical colour scheme, a similar dial
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and a comparably finished case. When the two are side by side, the resemblance is undeniable
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Surprisingly, even the vintage version of this Hamilton lacks originality, or should I say, exclusivity
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as it shared many characteristics with numerous other standardized military watches of the period
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That being said, Hamilton was one of the very first contracted manufacturers of these timepieces
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several decades before Timex dipped its toes into this aesthetic, so the khaki deserves the kudos here
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Mind you, it's not an exact one-for-one clone. The field post-mechanical has a raised chaptering and somewhat of a hybrid modern look
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with a more outspread arrangement, slimmer text, and a brighter white backdrop
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The second hand is also a different shape, they all notice that all three hands fall disappointingly short of their markers
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You won't be so disappointed with some of the upgrades that Timex has implemented, such as the inclusion of a sapphire crystal and a sturdy coin rear that accommodates a 100 water resistance rating Double that of the Hamilton It was marketed as being a durable watch and overall it certainly gives that impression
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The field post mechanical also ships in a vibrant blue colorway, if you prefer to step away from
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the faux vintage trappings. While it may have an identical width to the khaki, along with a bigger dial thanks to the
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skinnier bezel, the field post actually wears somewhat smaller due to the shorter lug-to-lug length
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and steep curvature that better conforms to thin wrists. Unfortunately, the incredible slimness isn't quite carried over
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as the unmarked Chinese movement inside is not the slimmest, and the chunky caseback adds an extra couple of millimeters too
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It's still under 11 mil in total, but won't pair as well with a pass-through strap
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As with many Timex movements, there's no trustworthy information about this calibre online
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but here's a look under the hood in case you're feeling nosy. Perhaps some of you are there recognize this one
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It wouldn't surprise me if it's the same as that used in the MK1 mechanical, which you might be hearing about later
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you can see the accuracy on screen right now in case it's a crapper. There's no doubt that this mechanical is a composite watch
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though in hindsight, I should have been more excited by its sister, the field post solar
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This watch comes in both 36mm and 41mm forms, with each retailing for around 50 pounds less than the mechanical version
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At around 150 quid, it's probably worth holding out for a discount code
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which will probably be a matter of minutes of the time X. But even so, this watch just feels like it puts all of the parts of the wristwatch
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jigsaw together in just the right way, like a true premium alternative to that low-cost expedition
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and weekender. Several aspects are the same as the mechanical, such as the full steel construction
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the 100 metre water resistance rating, and the AR-coated sapphire crystal. However, this version doesn't
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feel quite as bloated, as if the fat has been trimmed in all the right areas. Both of the solas have
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handsets that stretch the full radius of the dial, along with screwed crowns for added security
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The tick of the solar powered movement used here is thankfully far quieter than those used in the cheaper field watches from this brand
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and will be cost effective to operate in the long run, as well as environmentally friendly, of course
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In fact, TAMX has put a lot of weight on the whole sustainability thing in the marketing of this expedition North Range
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with the straps also being pitched as eco I can comment on the fabric straps but these leather bands reportedly manufactured using 0 water and fewer chemicals are pretty good in terms of performance
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with thick but supple construction and some natural graining that is appreciated on a stock strap
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You'll notice some visible wear emerging on the edges, but the underlayer is at least brown
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so it won't hugely impair the viability of these. Quick release tabs are present on both two
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removing the need for drilled lugs. All in all, they're not half bat. All of the colorways that
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this solar variant ships in are rather unique for the field watch genre, with most offering dark
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understated looks that make for cool, modernised alternatives to the plethora of vintage-style
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options already in existence. These look great paired with a variety of casual outfits
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and could easily double up as a rugged companion if required. Basically, it seems that Timex has
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accomplished what rival brand Cassio couldn't. For years, I and many other Cassio fans have been
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willing to pay more for an upgraded version of their popular digitals, with modern materials and
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hopefully improved performance. Alas, it's 2022 and they still haven't delivered. And no, those half-baked
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A1,000s don't count. TAMX, though, seems to have given us multiple options. Whoa, wait a minute
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Feels like a moment of flashback. Deja vu. I remember now, Tamax launched a different 36-millimeter
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field watch back in mid-2020. That one was called the MK1 Mechanical, so how does it compare to these two
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At 170 pounds, this watch is priced between the two, but is harder to come by. That price
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price tag only gets you a domed acrylic crystal and half the water resistance. But I have to say
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this thing is beautiful. It's lightweight, slim, and has a charming mid-century look that's been
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executed with even more precision. From the moment I unboxed it, I realized I've been sleeping on this
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for way too long, as it's much sweeter than those subpar stock images indicate. The chaptering
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is a particular highlight with the tiny green loom pips and minuscule minute track that hugs the
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outer edge. The size and shape of the case, everything just feels bar-b-a-b-b-bush
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Unfortunately, it's not available in any larger sizes, so it could look a bit cartoonish on big wrists
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So, most of these time mixes are probably worth your money. But unfortunately, a few weeks ago, the same company dropped the ball big time
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Tap the video on screen to see how they sold me a 400-pound watch with a giant hole in it
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And then, ignored my pleas for help
