Waterproof watch suggestions?

I have blown through about 10 timex ironman watches in last several years. It usually sits in the Target/Walmart I get it from for about 3 years and so I just started buying the warranty for 5 dollars. When it dies before its time which it always does, send it back (another 7 dollars) and get a new replacement watch for a grand total of 12 dollars. Of course you need to buy a back-up watch while the other one is away (with warranty and all as it will die before 5 years as well). I wouldn't try to replace the battery as you lose the seal with resultant fogging, etc. I have had only one actually leak like yours did when it was relatively new.

I can't get my Timex Ironman watches to break. I generally get tired of the style before they wear out.

I've had many sports watches, but the best has been the Ironman Triathlon watch (I buy them at Target). They last forever and are water resistant -on average- to a depth of 100M. They really don't use "water proof" labeling on many watches anymore (I think). But since you are just swimming laps, a watch like this would be perfect for you. It's really durable and has a timer and alarm. I love the fact that it's digital too! I've had mine for way over a year and it's still going strong. www.target.com/.../601-0209384-7863346 Just FYI, don't waste your money on any Speedo watches - they pooter out pretty quickly.

With any water *resistant* watch, it's a good idea to lift your arm up out of the water when you push the buttons. That's usually where the weak spot is. I use a Timex Ironman, a Timex that doubles as a heart rate monitor (so confusing I hardly ever use it for that) and a Polar heart rate monitor and they all work pretty well. Sometimes the Polar loses the heart signal in the salt water, but the watch part is fine.

There are at least 50 different Ironman watches. Ironman is a Timex brand and they are not all the same. They have different levels of water resistance, stopwatch functions etc. I have worn several over the years while swimming. I wear a watch in the pool every time. I usually lose them or break them before they fail per se. The crystal rarely goes a year without a big scratch - from the lane ropes or something else. I would buy one rated for 100M. It will be a bit sturdier than the 50M watches. I find the one I want on Timex' website and buy it on ebay.

I've been using Casio G-Shock watches for 10 or more years. I've taken them scuba diving to over 100 feet with no problem. I don't wear a watch when I swim, so I don't know what it would do with daily abuse, but if they don't have a problem at 100 feet, they are decent. The only Ironman watch I bought died the first time I put it in water. Others seem to have good luck with them though.

I have used a Casio HDC600 for 2 and a half years now (although I have only been back swimming for a year) and not a hint of a problem. It never leaves my wrist and I use the stopwatch feature extensively while swimming. I always press the buttons underwater. It has a 10 year battery and at the rate it is going, the watch might just last as long as the battery.

Casio makes great watches. They are WATERPROOF. I have taken some of mine to 32 feet deep & they run fine!!

I don't wear a watch during practice. If I were practicing alone and there were no deck/wall clocks, then I would. What about open water? Do swimmers tend to wear them more in open water swims? Do you track your time?

Timex Ironman, usually bought at Target. I've had a few that lasted for many years. I've also had several that "we" lost. My kids like to play with the buttons. My lost (last) one perished a month ago as Finnian was playing with it in the bike trailer. In that short 5 min ride from the park to home- gone. I still need to replace it, and I'm getting really irritated that my wrist can't tell me the time!