Scuba diving with a Timex Ironman watch

I have one of the cheaper Timex Ironman 100 lap watches. It cost me about $50 or so last year. I dove with it earlier this year and got down to 109 ft without any problems without any problems.

======dffglskfjgoo wrote:

I'm going scuba diving, can I take my trusty old timex ironman with me down to the deep blue ocean? What has been the experience with timex ironman and scuba diving?

Never been scuba diving, but I do know the difference between water resistant and waterproof. You can take most ironman watches to any reasonable scuba depth without problems (mine is resistant down to 100 m), but don't press the buttons while you are down there. Waterproof watches have full functionality underwater, water resistant watches will simply survive the trip (i.e. don't push the buttons).

======dffglskfjgoo wrote:

I'm going scuba diving, can I take my trusty old timex ironman with me down to the deep blue ocean? What has been the experience with timex ironman and scuba diving?

I have a $20 Ironman and have been diving in it for about a year now. Has never failed me. I know people with $200 dive watches that have crapped out on them while mine holds up strong.

I've made hundreds of dives with my Timex Ironman... lots of tropical diving (Hawaii, Cali, Turks & Caicos, Saba, Florida Keys), lots of inland freshwater diving, some drysuit coldwater diving, etc... same watch for 20 years and no issues... dove all depths to ~120'... and I've swam with it daily for the last 20 years... and swam many triathlons with it... just a new battery every few years... go for it!

joho wrote:

I have one of the cheaper Timex Ironman 100 lap watches. It cost me about $50 or so last year. I dove with it earlier this year and got down to 109 ft without any problems without any problems.

And might I add. Previous to my trip, I had changed the battery in my watch myself. I was afraid this would allow some water leakage but it didn't.

Then just be quiet

Had mine down to about 100'. Been diving with it many times. No issues.

Most folks use dive computers now. All the gear I've rented recently included a dive computer.

I had this watch:

http://amzn.to/PXqc7m

By no means a fancy or expensive one and took it down to 30m, I guess it depends how adventurous you are...

Thanks for the replies. Just did scuba dive down to 112 ft. I pressed the light button twice for about 7 seconds or so. No water leakage. Go Timex Ironman. My watch is the 1994 100 lap...Same one since then! Better than g-shocks or dive computers!

You didn't use a dive computer at all? A watch is not a comparable replacement for a dive computer. Computers do much more than just tell time.

I didn't but my friend did. I told her not to buy one. Expensive for just a "weekend" trip.

======dffglskfjgoo wrote:

I didn't but my friend did. I told her not to buy one. Expensive for just a "weekend" trip.

True. My wife and I are just getting into diving and we have been collecting gear. I found a bunch of used stuff off of eBay and from some friends that use to dive. Eventually I will have to break down and buy a dive computer. Those suckers can get expensive but you can get a good one for under $200.

Thanks for the Timex info.

Also: you do NOT need a dive computer. People have been using dive tables for decades.

the watch says "Good up to 50 meters below water" on mine.

Tables wrote:

Thanks for the Timex info.

Also: you do NOT need a dive computer. People have been using dive tables for decades.

I am sure that the person who posted that 5 years ago will be glad you chimed in.

Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My first dive watch was an Elgin BUSHIPS navy dive watch given to me '59 or 60. Dove in the same type rigs you can see in Sea Hunt TV show.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane,

First ever watch I purchased for self and I've had it... 4 years now? Been through a lot with me and taking loads of smacks and abuse and still going strong! Really handy watch and my favourite digital I've ever owned, even over my Suunto core and Garmin Fenix 3.

The reason for the strap is because I removed the old one and got rid of it thinking I'll never use it again because I'd bought a NATO for it. Turns out the NATO strap doesn't fit my timex. So for roughly over a month, I've not been able to use it.

Since whacking a NATO on my Vostok and having that leather strap free, I tried it on my Timex and it's a perfect fit, and I actually quite like the aesthetic of it!

https://reviewcart.us/best-dive-watches-under-500/

Tables wrote:

Thanks for the Timex info.

Also: you do NOT need a dive computer. People have been using dive tables for decades.

Exactly!

Off course nowadays watches for the most part don't tick. Watch the old Sea Hunt television program with Mike Bridges. He didn't have a dive computer. He didn't even have a Timex chronograph watch! That show made me want to start scuba diving.

Having said all that, it's cool to hear about how well the Timex has held up for many people.