Timex’s Unexpectedly Affordable GMT Dive Watch Falls Short of Expectations

The Ultimate Dive Watch: Timex Deepwater Reef 200 GMT Review

As soon as I laid eyes on the Timex Deepwater Reef 200 Titanium Automatic, I knew I was gazing at a gem. The watch’s bold design, premium materials, and impressive specs made it a standout in the diving world. And the fact that it’s available for under $500? A steal! No wonder it’s already sold out. But, as I’d soon discover, the story doesn’t quite end there.

Enter the Timex Deepwater Reef 200 GMT: A Somewhat Unexpected Development

When I learned that Timex had created a GMT version of their beloved dive watch, I was initially stoked. That was until I saw the price tag. At just $249 on a rubber strap and $269 on a bracelet, I realized this wasn’t the premium offering I’d hoped for. And it quickly became clear why: the Deepwater Reef 200 GMT wasn’t made with the same materials as its titanium sibling. A stainless steel case and quartz movement instead of automatic meant this watch was a more affordable, more practical, yet less exciting alternative.

What’s Missing in the GMT Version

Don’t get me wrong, stainless steel and quartz have their merits. The former is cheaper and heavier, while the latter is more accurate than automatic movements. But, for a watch that’s trying to compete with Seiko’s GMT offerings, I expected more. The Deepwater Reef 200 GMT feels like a missed opportunity to create a premium, show-stopping GMT diver that could rival the likes of Seiko’s Prospex series.

The Verdict

The Timex Deepwater Reef 200 GMT may be a solid entry-level dive watch, but it lacks the charm and allure of its titanium counterpart. If you’re in the market for a GMT watch, there are better options out there. For those who want a more affordable, no-nonsense diver, this might be the way to go, but I suspect that many fans of the dive watch genre will be left underwhelmed.