Timex Expedition WS4 review

Big, brash and bold, Timex’s WS4 is one beefy watch. It’s designed to be used in extreme conditions – wind, rain, snow and sub-zero temperatures – and has a huge, boxy screen that packs in a massive amount of information.

That screen measures a sizeable 1.65in from corner to corner and it’s incredibly thick, so you won’t want to wear it to work every day.

However, its size ensures you can read it, it’s super-clear, and the elasticated wristband makes it easy to strap on over your jacket.

Throw in four chunky buttons that are easy to press whether you’re wearing cycling gloves or mittens, excellent ease of use and fantastic build quality, and you have an extremely practical device.

So what can it do? It would be more appropriate to ask what it can’t. The WS4 is packed with features. An atmospheric pressure sensor records altitude, complete with maximum, minimum and a graph to show altitude over time.

It also tracks current and sea-level pressure, in order to provide a short-range weather forecast (up to six hours into the future). There’s also a thermometer and a digital compass.

Our two main gripes are the lack of GPS, and that you can’t hook it up to a PC. Otherwise, it’s a great watch: rugged, easy to use and crammed with features.

Author: Jonathan Bray