Was looking for recommendations on a good watch from swimming in. Mostly it will be for open water, but I may use it for pool workouts too. The biggest function would be just a stopwatch which most all have, but it would be nice for a countdown function (to signal every 10, 20 minutes, etc for OW training). A HR function would be nice too but I know then it gets to be a bit pricey. I would like to put a $150 cap on it and see what you all come up with.
I'm a bit of a watch collector (have bought and sold dozens) so I'm familiar with many of them. Try to stay away from large, bulky watches like "some" of the G-Shocks, etc.
Post pics and/or links as well if you have them handy!
Timex Ironman is the best.
I also like my Polar F90. It's a HR monitor and also shows calories burned. The only thing it doesn't do, unfortunately, is work as a stopwatch!
Former Member
I have also bought and swam with a bunch of watches including ones specifically for swimming and keep going back to my old Nike Triax. Big numbers with lots of contrast and you can push the button under water without killing the watch
Amazon.com: Nike Triax Fury 100 Style Watch, Black/Light Graphite: Nike: Watches
Hard to beat Timex for durability and price. I just got this one after 5 years on a previous model.
www.timex.com/.../B000SZPZEI
Former Member
I wrote off Polar watches when mine completely died after a couple of months. Not sure if it was just a fluke, but I never worry about that with Timex.
Former Member
I just ordered the Nike Triax from Amazon! I had a swimmers watch from Kiefer that I had trouble seeing the numbers...this one looks much easier to read - we'll see!
I love my cheap Timex 1440 Sports watch. Lasted through my 10K, 25K OW, and all the trainings associated with those swims. It's still ticking and I wear it daily during my pool practices. $20 @ Target. One reviewer claimed he/ she had a hard time setting the time and other items, but I had no issues at all. Instructions were clear to me.
If I wanted more functionality as you do, I'd have purchased one of these
www.timex.com/.../2223481011
I simply chose to spend my $$$'s on other things associated with travel OW swims as they can get pretty pricey.
I've gone through all different swimming watches since 2002 and I've found Timex to be the best bang for the buck.
Former Member
Timex Ironman is the best.
Agree.
My first Timex lasted about 10 years(after that the strap accidentally broke but the watch still works), the second lasted 2 months(and then I forgot it in the shower of the pool) and now I have my third Timex.
Former Member
Hard to beat Timex for durability and price. I just got this one after 5 years on a previous model.
www.timex.com/.../B000SZPZEI
Ordered one off Amazon yesterday for $44, thanks!
