Timex brings back Miyota for steel Expedition Pioneer, undercuts titanium version by $90

Timex has released the Expedition Pioneer Automatic in stainless steel, nearly six months after debuting a titanium version equipped with a Seiko movement. The new steel models are available in two references: the TW2Y87400 on a stainless steel bracelet for $459, and the TW2Y87500 on brown leather for $429.

The 41 mm case is finished with brushed and polished stainless steel and is water-resistant to 200 meters. The watch is protected by a sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating, and the caseback also features a sapphire window to display the movement. Applied indices and hands are filled with luminescent material, and a date window sits beside the three o'clock marker. The leather strap is sourced through the Leather Working Group and uses quick-release spring bars for easy swapping.

Inside, the watch is powered by the Miyota 8215, a Japanese automatic movement that Timex has utilized for years. This marks a return to the older caliber after the titanium Expedition Pioneer, launched in April, featured a Seiko NH35a instead — a notable departure that generated significant coverage. The new steel references revert to the previous movement, offering a different value proposition.

Pricing for the titanium versions was $449 on a rubber strap and $549 on the bracelet. The steel bracelet reference TW2Y87400 is nearly $90 cheaper than its titanium counterpart, while the leather version is $20 less than the cheapest titanium model. When choosing between the two, buyers are essentially deciding between a lighter case with a Seiko caliber and a heavier one with a Miyota.

Timex's feature badges indicate a bidirectional turning top ring, but the product description for both references describes a unidirectional ratcheting top ring. This discrepancy may cause confusion for potential buyers, though the function remains typical for a diver's watch.