This watch is amazing. To Timex: I only wish the imprinted texts were coated to protect them from wearing off through daily use. Aside from that this watch is hands down the best watch available! Personally it could only be better if the display was reverse contrast with the digits appearing white and the blank screen appearing black, and if the case was silver so it would look good with a metal silver flexible expansion bracelet strap. But other than those three things I can't begin to imagine how it could be improved! The price point is a bit high at $54.92, especially with the history of the the resin watch band eventually drying, cracking and breaking over time, which is why I wish it would not clash with a metal flexible expanding watch band. But I do like the all black look. If there was a dark gun metal colored flexible expanding band it might work without clashing like it would with the standard default silver metal flexible expanding watch bands. I wish there was a way to preserve its appearance other than simply not wearing it to avoid the average daily wear and tear. I will definitely not wear it when working as a forklift and electrical lift truck mechanic, or auto mechanic, just to protect it from normal wear and tear including scratches to the case when working in tight areas around metal components. I almost hate to even wear it knowing that while it can "take a licking and keep on ticking" just because I like it's appearance so much and want to preserve/protect it so much!
Ordered it online and it arrived the same day within 5 hours of placing the order. Unfortunately it arrived WITHOUT the installation manual even though its functionality is inherently intuitive. I hope that it is the last watch, aside from a formal dress watch, that I'll ever have to buy. I had one in the 1980's and the wrist band eventually and inevitably broke. But the case and the watch functionality never quit! I wish I had saved the working case seeing how expensive they've become, but I was younger and not as wise as to save the still functioning case. That won't happen with this one! I can easily imagine it being recovered still working during an archeological dig centuries from now knowing how much of a beast Timex Ironman watches are! Simply put, Timex are the absolute best when it comes to the durability of their watches. They are such beasts that there's simply no competitor on the market in terms of durability!
reply from Timex Customer Support
Hi, MVPShopper. Thank you for your detailed review and for being a longtime fan of our IRONMAN® watches. It's wonderful to hear how much you appreciate the durability, design, and heritage of the IRONMAN® Original 30 Shock Full-Size. We also appreciate your thoughtful feedback regarding the printed markings, display options, case finishes, band preferences, and long-term wear considerations. Comments like yours help us evaluate opportunities for future product development. We're also pleased to hear that your order arrived so quickly. We apologize, however, that the watch did not include a printed instruction manual. To help reduce our carbon footprint and minimize paper consumption, user manuals are available on the product page of our website. As a guide to the watch's settings and features, you can access the instructions directly here: https://timex.com/cdn/shop/files/990-096586-01.pdf?v=5228257038434782949. Thank you again for sharing your experience and for your loyalty to Timex. We'll be sure to note your suggestions for consideration in future releases, and we hope your new IRONMAN® serves you well for many years to come.
