An Affordable Timex Diver With Rolex Sea-Dweller Energy: Deepwater Meridian 200 Review

A friend of mine just seriously got into watches and lent me his new Timex Deepwater Meridian 200. He was excited. It’s one of his first real dive watches, and I didn’t expect much beyond the usual starter fare. But after a couple of days with it, I kept thinking about how heavy and serious it felt. There’s something about its bulk and boldness that reminded me of a Rolex Sea-Dweller in its chunkiness (not water resistance). Like this was Timex’s stab at building something that wasn’t just casual or nostalgic. It had some weight, some bite.

I’ve been more curious about Timex lately. I mean… I recently added one into my “core” collection (check out the review). Not just the heritage reissues, but the stuff that leans toolish and functional. Even when it’s quartz. They’ve been putting out pieces that feel more confident in their identity. Like they’re not just chasing trends or trying to be clever. This Deepwater Meridian fits into that mold. A big, unapologetic diver that doesn’t hide behind price or nostalgia.

Timex with intent

Timex launched the Deepwater series in 2024 as a response to a growing demand for practical, spec-forward dive watches that didn’t feel like toys. This Meridian 200 variant—the TW2W81500 with a blue sunburst dial—is part of a trio that shares the same case, specs, and movement. The only difference across the lineup is dial color and a few finishing touches.

These watches sit well above the brand’s usual entry-level divers in terms of materials. You get a sapphire crystal with AR coating and a magnifier over the date, a proper screw-down crown and caseback, and a 200 meter depth rating that feels like more than just marketing.

Built to be noticed

At 44mm across and about 12.5mm tall (despite what the spec sheet says), the Timex Deepwater Meridian 200 case is big but not brutish. The lugs are long but curve nicely. Even with a lug-to-lug of 50.5mm, the flat caseback helps it sit low and comfortable. It wears like a proper tool watch, not like a fashion piece that happens to have crown guards.

The bezel is aluminum, 120 clicks, and better than it should be. It’s tight, clicks cleanly, and holds its place without any slop. No gritty rotation, no audible hollowness. The crown action matches. Screw-down, smooth threads, and a bit of resistance at just the right spots. Nothing about it feels like an afterthought.

A Familiar Dial, Done Right

The dial is where Timex shows a little personality. A rich blue sunburst base with a wave pattern cut into it, giving off just enough Seamaster vibes to register without feeling like a copy. Applied indices, white text, and a red diver’s flag add contrast without clutter. I can’t get over how neatly the tones of blue and red play together here.

Lume performance is solid. Super-LumiNova on the hands and markers glows bright and lasts long enough to be useful. Not just a decorative nod to dive heritage. The magnifier over the date at 3 o’clock isn’t my favorite feature, but the crystal handles it cleanly with minimal distortion. I think cyclops magnifiers have been facing some harsh criticism lately. But I think in this case, it works. I guess you can pop it off with a heat gun if you absolutely hate it.

Quartz… I wouldn’t have it any other way

Inside, you’ll find the Seiko Epson VX42E. It hacks, has a quickset date, and runs on a single battery for about three years. It’s common, reliable, and exactly what this kind of watch needs. No pretense, no theatrics. Like my Timex field watch, a solar movement would’ve been cool but this isn’t a dealbreaker. I believe this movement does also have an end-of-life indicator.

Setting the time and date is straightforward. The crown doesn’t wobble, and the hands snap into place without hesitation. It’s a quartz diver that doesn’t try to be anything else. And for a watch you might throw into a bag or wear while working on something messy, that’s exactly the point.

Final word

This watch wasn’t even on my radar until my friend started texting me about it before it came into his collection. Honestly, that’s probably how it’ll sneak up on most people. It’s not flashy, it’s not part of some big brand collaboration, and it doesn’t come with a bunch of vintage baggage. But the Deepwater Meridian 200 still managed to leave an impression.

It feels like Timex trying to grow up a bit. Not by abandoning accessibility, but by building something that can take a beating and still look like it belongs in a serious collection. At $259, it’s not bargain-bin cheap, but the case finishing, materials, and tactile quality all justify the step up.

I’ll give it back, eventually. But not without a little hesitation.

Timex