Timex’s Affordable Titanium GMT Watch Looks More Like a Rolex Explorer II Than Ever

In 2024, Timex launched the Expedition GMT Titanium Automatic, a $549 (at launch, now $629) titanium tool watch with an unmistakable Rolex Explorer II-inspired design and an automatic GMT movement from Seiko.

For the price, the Expedition GMT was an extremely compelling offering from Timex, but Timex isn’t resting on its laurels when it comes to one of its most impressive watches.

Instead, the brand has made a couple of updates to the watch, including a new name, and it now looks even more like a Rolex Explorer II than before.

Timexplorer II

Timex

First and foremost, Timex has updated the name of its automatic titanium GMT tool watch. The model’s naming convention was always confusing, as it was originally called the Expedition GMT even though its dial said “Timex Expedition North.”

The new version is called the Expedition Pioneer Titanium Automatic GMT, or Expedition Pioneer GMT for short. Although “Pioneer” appears nowhere on the dial, the word “North” has at least been deleted. We also get a cool little mountain logo at 6:00 above three lines of text touting some of the watch’s most impressive features: “Automatic GMT,” “200m/660ft,” and “Titanium.”

The rest of the dial is unchanged. It’s matte black with white solid lume blocks marking the hours with a mix of dots and dashes and a triangle at 12:00. There’s a date window at 3:00 that’s color-matched to the dial, and the luminous handset is the same as before, including the yellow GMT hand. The angular, sandblasted, 41mm titanium case hasn’t changed either.

Timex

The other big change, and the one that nudges the watch even further into Rolex homage territory, is the addition of a bracelet. The original Expedition GMT was only available on a black silicone strap. Now, the watch gets a proper H-link bracelet in full sandblasted titanium to match the case, a pretty impressive feat for Timex. The bracelet is secured with a signed butterfly clasp.

The movement powering the GMT remains Seiko’s dependable Caliber NH34 automatic. It’s visible through a display window on the screwdown caseback, which features Rolex-ish fluting around its edge. The top crystal of the watch is AR-coated sapphire, the 24-hour titanium bezel rotates in both directions, the crown screws down and the watch is water-resistant to 200m, which is double the rating of an Explorer II.

Overall, this is a really impressive offering from Timex. But wait, there’s more! In addition to this bracelet version, Timex has debuted a second version of the Expedition Pioneer GMT with a green dial, green-filled 24-hour markings on the bezel, a white date disc and a green fabric strap with leather lining and quick-release spring bars. It dials down the Rolex vibes yet looks very sharp, in my opinion.

Timex

Availability and pricing

Both versions of the new Expedition Pioneer GMT are available now directly from Timex, with the green version retailing for $629 on a strap and the black bracelet version going for $729. Those prices are obviously on the high end for Timex, but these watches still offer incredible value given how stuffed their specs sheets are.

Timex

Timex Expedition Pioneer GMT

Specs

Case Size	41mm
Movement	Seiko Cal. NH34 automatic GMT
Water Resistance	200m

• $729 at Timex

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics