Does anyone know of a waterproof watch with a crystal that doesn't crack the first time you hit a lane line? I have gone through enough "waterproof" watches in the last 2 years to fill a landfill.
If you can't push the buttons in the water, wearing a watch in the water seems pointless. I like to use the watch when no pace clock is available for intervals or to tell time when there is no clock...
Does anyone know of a waterproof watch with a crystal that doesn't crack the first time you hit a lane line? I have gone through enough "waterproof" watches in the last 2 years to fill a landfill.
Rolex Submariner?
If you can't push the buttons in the water, wearing a watch in the water seems pointless. I like to use the watch when no pace clock is available for intervals or to tell time when there is no clock...
I totally agree!!!! I keep taking them back to the store when this happens. The 3rd time I took one back the store manager told me I could wear it in the pool but NOT push the buttons. At this point I asked for my money back.
I think it's an example of how cheaply things are made these days. I used to use my casio and Ironman watches for at least a couple years and never a leak!
I had an Ironman watch that lasted from 1990 until 1997. Since then, I have had no luck.I've tried every variety of Casio, Timex and Adidas watch. I even sunk a "diving" watch that I bought for $150. I figure either the watches are now of really poor quality or I am hitting the lane lines more often now that I'm getting older.
I have worn Timex Ironman watches for years and have never had a problem with water getting in through the buttons. I don't push the buttons while the watch is underwater, but I push them all the time when I'm hanging on the wall in between intervals. (I start the chronograph at the beginning of the first interval, then push the "lap" button to begin the next interval, and so on. I can't see the pace clock from my lane.)
I can usually get at least a couple of years' use out of a swimming watch. What finally breaks is the watch band. In the old days, I would just buy a new band. But now Timex keeps changing their watch designs and every design has a unique band. Apparently there is not enough demand for Timex to stock replacement bands. I have two mid-sized Ironman watches, Model 855. The bands broke a couple of months ago. The stores carry very few replacement bands any more and I haven't found anything online, either. I'm still looking but they're going to become throw-away watches soon if I can't find anything.
I just went to the Timex web site, found their email address, and asked them where I can find a replacement band. I will post their response here if they write back.
Anna Lea, your comment reminded me of the day when the band wearing out was my biggest problem. I usually ended up taking my Ironman watch to a custom watch repair shop and they managed to put a new band on for me. In the past several years, I haven't had a watch last long enough for the band to disintegrate...
