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!
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Former Member
I agree with Jen. I've had Timex Ironman watches for the last 20 years or more. Used to be I'd go through two or three watch straps before I'd have the actual watch have any issues (watches would last years). Over the last 3 years or so I've had at least 3 Timex Ironman watches with the exact same problem (condensation on the inside of the crystal). The rubber face pulls up and gaps and water gets in.
In fact, the last one I bought, I went ahead and paid the $5.00 for 24 months of replace/repair because I was pretty sure it wouldn't last two years. I bought this watch last July and just a couple of days ago I noticed water inside the face. So I will be sending it back to be replaced. And may start steering away from Timex. They clearly don't make them like they used to...
That's been my experience too.
I avoided the SwimSense for a long time because it's bulky and ugly, and it's not useful in open water. I broke down and bought a used one a couple weeks ago (well under the $150 you mentioned), and I LOVE that thing. Love it.
It has a stopwatch function, so it's as good in OW as my waterlogged Timex. I love the automatic setting for timing intervals. With a normal stopwatch, I have to either use the pace clock and remember my times (not likely) or inflate my times by the time it takes to hit start and stop.
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Former Member
I agree with Jen. I've had Timex Ironman watches for the last 20 years or more. Used to be I'd go through two or three watch straps before I'd have the actual watch have any issues (watches would last years). Over the last 3 years or so I've had at least 3 Timex Ironman watches with the exact same problem (condensation on the inside of the crystal). The rubber face pulls up and gaps and water gets in.
In fact, the last one I bought, I went ahead and paid the $5.00 for 24 months of replace/repair because I was pretty sure it wouldn't last two years. I bought this watch last July and just a couple of days ago I noticed water inside the face. So I will be sending it back to be replaced. And may start steering away from Timex. They clearly don't make them like they used to...
That's been my experience too.
I avoided the SwimSense for a long time because it's bulky and ugly, and it's not useful in open water. I broke down and bought a used one a couple weeks ago (well under the $150 you mentioned), and I LOVE that thing. Love it.
It has a stopwatch function, so it's as good in OW as my waterlogged Timex. I love the automatic setting for timing intervals. With a normal stopwatch, I have to either use the pace clock and remember my times (not likely) or inflate my times by the time it takes to hit start and stop.