Timex Full-Size Ironman Endure 30 Shock Watch

I love this watch, with two exceptions. Positives: a clear display, Indiglo, day/date/time/24-hour clock, all the other goodies (chrono, countdown, alarm, etc.) The two negatives: (1) This is my fourth one in 8 years, bought because the watchbands break in the exact same place every time and Timex apparently doesn't make a replacement watchband. (2) There's some weird glitch that makes the watch switch between 'Time 1' and 'Time 2' occasionally (it's happened on all these watches). (T1 and T2 can be set to different timezones, like T1 for EST and T2 for PST.)

This watch is US Marine certified. Semper Fi! I am a U.S. Marine. I have done 3 combat tours to Iraq and 1 to Africa. I have worn nothing but Timex Ironman watches on my tours. I personally certify this watch as tough and reliable.

I used two Timex TE231 Ironman 100 watches for the past 12 years or so. But I found over time that this model of watch had a couple of brothersome charactistics. One was that to change the battery was a real hassle as the watch band had to be removed to adequately access the battery. The band was extremely difficult to remove and to replace. The Timex T5K1095 does not have this issue at all as its band is entirely different form that on the TE213. The TE213 has all the features as the T5K1095, but its band does not come lose, and the case appears to much more durable and the crystal on the face of the watch is mineral, as opposed to the softer acrylic face on the T5K1095 - which scratched easily.In summary, the TE231 is as versatile and as rigged as the T5K1095, is cheaper, and is a much better design.

I have had the same model and make of watch for several years now. it is rugged, durable, and can take the beating that i tend to give everyday watches. I swim with it on, kayak rapids with it on, climb, and many other adventurous activities and it holds up well. The band did well to not break either and I had the last model for 5 years now. it finally died shortly after the face of it came off. for the price it is a great watch that will hold up to those who are hard on things like me.

The good:This is not as big of a watch as you might think from looking at the picture. I like that.The LCD is clear with excellent contrast, and has a wide viewing angle. The viewing angle is the reason I was looking to replace my Armitron, which had a narrow viewing angle LCD that required aligning the wrist each time.The display prompts you when you are in the settings mode. This is my first Ironman but I had no trouble setting everything without looking at the instructions. Another bonus is you can set up / down if you miss your mark. Intuitive and well designed!The band is comfortable. In fact the whole watch is comfortable. An improvement over my G-Shock where I really feel that I'm wearing it the whole time.The illumination is superb. You can set a mode by holding illumination for 4 seconds where you can illuminate it with a push of any button, for example the Start/Split on the top. Very convenient.The buttons are easily pushed on purpose and hard to push on accident due to the guards around them and the stiffness.The locking band keeper is an excellent feature that I didn't have any trouble working with as some people have reported here.Stronger mineral glass lens vs acrylic for almost all the other Ironman series.200M water resist vs 100M for almost all the other Ironman series.The beeper is loud enough without being annoying.The bad: Viewing angle! Woe is me, I have purchased yet another watch with a viewing angle problem... the main reason I was shopping for a replacement for my Armitron. While the display is legible at all angles, it can't be seen without turning the wrist due to the high wall where the Start/Split button is and the deep recessing of the display within the face. This is not readily apparent looking at the marketing photos. So disappointing. But its such a stellar watch in every other respect, and the Armitron is really showing its age, so I will keep this. If this watch ever dies, I will try another Ironman but from the models with an acrylic lens that have a lower height. Maybe you will prefer the deep set aesthetic, I don't. Its probably due to the 200M depth and the mineral lens. I really don't need a watch with that level of protection; I would trade it for a wider viewing angle.To summarize the watch is remarkably comfortable and just exudes quality. Almost perfect.EDIT: After a year, ( just out of warranty ) the backlight feature is now sometimes flickering or not working. Not bad I guess for a 30 dollar watch. I'm disappointed by that but I would still consider buying another if I ever need it.

Have had this or a nearly identical version for a couple decades now. Bought this one when the surface ring of rubber/plastic around the clock face finally deteriorated and started coming off after maybe 10+ years of 24/7 wearing my last one. I did notice that the loop that holds the extra watchband length in place is so tight that it is difficult to take out the strap end to remove the watch from my arm. (Haven't read any other reviews so I don't know if this has been mentioned previously.) The Ironmen I've had before did not seem to have this problem. In fact, on my last watch the replacement band I purchased some years ago was having the opposite issue -- that loop holding the extra band length was not holding tight ENOUGH.I usually go through only 2 or 3 batteries over the life span of these watches. Not bad for 8-10 years of use. I love and use the countdown/repeat timer on this watch as well as the alarm, the two different time settings (press one button when switching between DST and CST twice a year), and have used them snorkelling. Although I wouldn't recommend it, I believe I even had one on when I was scuba diving down to 60 feet about 20+ years ago. I seem to recall that there was some moisture inside the face although it eventually disappeared and the watch continued working. The 200 meter rating just means you can swim, shower, or be outside in a downpour without worrying about it. They warn you it is not for scuba diving.I've never had any issue with this watch model gaining or losing time to any large degree .... maybe a minute or two every year. I also appreciate the shock-resistance feature because I unknowingly put it to the test periodically over the life of the watch.