They’re Baaack!
I feel an obligation to post about the new versions of the Timex Deepwater Reef 200 41mm titanium models. There is a version with titanium bracelet and a nice looking orange version with bezel insert.
You would be forgiven for being confused with these Timex offerings as there were some Deepwater Meridian models intervening since the late 2024 Reef releases. Who knows what goes on in the minds of the Timex planners? Things just happen? I guess you could say they are responsive to customer requests?
I’m not sure how the Meridians went over, but I know at least some of us like the Reefs better? As I have written about both before, you know I like the look of the Reef, but the 38mm Meridian size is nice. Anyway, maybe two customer issues have been resolved, maybe?
When I read through the old reviews of the TW2W73800 on the Timex site, many customers wanted to like the titanium auto version of the Reef, but did not like the rubber strap, the noisy Miyota 8215, and the lack of lume on the hands.
A Titanium Bracelet
In 2024, I was in love with the titanium version at first site. I liked the look of bare titanium bezel and the plain black dial. I did not mind a rubber strap, but just did not like that particular one. I wanted the feel of a skin diver on rubber. But, many wanted a bracelet for that upscale feel. You got your wish. The new TW2Y64400 has a
quick-release h-link bracelet. So, this version is the highest priced one. Otherwise it looks the same, with raw titanium bezel, black dial cyclops, and, I think, improved lume. It seems the same unique tuck-thru strap is still alive on the orange one.
The Lume Elephant in the Room
Reading reviews on brand sites is interesting. It lets you realize we all have different expectations and needs for our watch choices. Many people thought the watch was just great, as is. Many buyers, including me noticed right away the weak lume on the hour and minute hands of the titanium Reef 41. The solid chunks of lume that made up the hour markers looked good, while the hands almost disappeared in the dark. Some, like me, returned the watch. Others decided they could live with it. This was supposed to be the top of the line for the Reef 41s, but the steel quartz versions had more legible lume on the hands!
The thing that drove me nuts is that Timex would not just own up to it? No matter how many people reported it, they would just say “the Reefs have excellent Superluminova…” but would give you a return if you did it fast enough. Recently, I asked Timex if things are indeed better. The answer I received is a bit vague: “Thank you for your detailed question regarding the lume. The lume on the hour and minute hands has been improved throughout ongoing production. While some product images may still show earlier versions, newer models feature enhanced luminous performance for better visibility.” I think “throughout” means all titanium Reefs to include TW2W73800, but “ongoing” means current production. No dates were given, so any old stock TW2W73800 (2025) will probably have the weak lume? Also this answer basically states that the images on the site do not show the new hands on the TW2W73800?
Well, apparently the new titanium Reefs have better lume on the hands. If you look closely at images of the new hands compared to the old, they are different. The lume material, now, does not extend all the way to the end, but is wrapped by metal around the ends. Don’t look at the “rendered” flat-on images that Timex uses on their site for official mug shots–they still show lume going to the ends.
Also, in the videos and still shot in the dark, the hands seem to be brighter. I have not yet decided if I will get a new one to test, but it seems to be brighter. There is still not enough lume area on the hands, so they are not prominent. I don’t know if it is just the cost of lume, manufacturing issue/cost, or the torque of the 8215 that is making this such a problem? Searching Google/AI I cannot find any statement from Timex that things have been improved or how it was done.
The older TW2W73800, titanium black dial on black rubber is still available. It would be criminal if Timex has not modified all the current/old stock with new hands, but I don’t know. The one good image on their site shows hands that look the same as the old one? What they should be doing is allowing all purchasers of the original poor-lume hands to be able to send their watches in for hand replacement. Those old versions out there will just be more damage to Timex’s apparent drive for upscale image.
Diver Down
Another funny topic with the Reefs is the red Diver Down flag icon printed on the dial. The original 2024 version of the watch did not have this. I was glad. I thought it was kind of cheesy. But, no. It was added to later batches in 2025. It must be to unite and indicate all the 200m watches, including Meridian. My older steel 41mm Reefs do not have the flag. Some later buyers expected to get it because the Timex site was now showing it, but end up getting earlier dials, so were not happy! Timex is not one to let a good part go to waste.
It sounds like any TW2W73800 from middle to end of 2025 could have either dial? All titanium and steel Reefs now show the flag on the site now. By now I would think all the shipping watches have the flag?
Noisy 8215
I have not held a 2025-26 auto Reef, so I can’t speak to the current loudness of the watch’s movement. When I did have a 2024 titanium auto, for a short time, I don’t remember it bothering me. I do have a auto 40mm Mk1 and it is noisy. The 8215 is what it is. If you have had any Timex auto Navi or Q over the last ten years, you should expect this.
This is a good argument for quartz watches. Enthusiasts want to show their automatic movement sophistication and see the sweep of the second hand, but a 8215 is what it is; entry level auto.
Orange, Baby
I almost forgot to mention the best thing about the new titanium Reefs! The new TW2Y64300 has an orange dial and a black bezel insert. Nice looking watch. It is on rubber. The hands pop off the dial. Another complaint about the titanium hands on the black dial TW2W73800 was that they needed more contrast–hard to see in some lighting conditions, besides the lume!
Closing Thoughts
Timex rolls on. Ours is not to reason why, but just get what you like. I like the Reefs and am holding out for a 38mm. I would be tempted to jump in again and try another titanium if I can be assured the hands will show up in the dark! How long does it last? Of course, the price has gone up, too.
I think they both are great looking watches. In reading reviews, not many mention the dreaded cyclops. Funny that. It bugs the hell out of me, but, you can get used to it, I guess? The no-date steels don’t have that problem. It just seems to be an unnecessary addition. I guess it represents quality to some people?
I’m glad Timex persevered to deal with this lume issue and have a new color addition to the Reef line. Beware getting a used titanium Reef until you know about the hands lume, unless, it does not matter to you.
Even though Timex has improved the lume on the hands, I still feel uneasy about their deceptive denial of an obvious problem and no mention of possibility of early production watches being able to get hands replaced. I wonder if it is more cost effective for them to exchange old watch for new or to have you go through lengthy repair service routine to have hands replaced? They should do one or the other for a $500 watch. I wonder how they are going to handle Atelier repairs?
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