TIMEX IRONMAN TIME LINE - A collective non-profit resource by PMWF.com - Please respect pictures and text copy rights! Thank you!

TIMEX IRONMAN TIME LINE by PMWF
In 1986 Timex introduced its "Ironman Triathlon®," jointly devised by serious athletes and industrial designers. Within a year, the "Ironman Triathlon®" became America's best-selling watch
(from Timex website)

If you own a Timex Ironman from a year that is not covered, please read on how to submit it to this page. This is a collective non-profit effort from PMWF.com
Are you a TIMEX Ironman expert? Then please click here and help us catalog and date these watches

Thanks to Knut from the Timex Forum we got this great dating chart
for Quartz and newer mechanical Timex watches. There is an alphanumeric
code stamped on the case back since 1985 (not to be confused with the Tnnnnn model nr)
Click to enlarge and find the year and month of the production date!

1. Timex History
Most people are surprised to learn that the TIMEX history dates back to 1850! Maybe TIMEX should use that year like some of the Swiss brands do? Most people also do not know that TIMEX is most likely the 5th largest watch manufacturer in the world. TIMEX is a privately held company, thus no public figures are available (an article about TIMEX in the International Watch Magazine from August 2006 guessed that position 5). Did you know that the research and development of new Timex calibers takes place in Germany? In Pforzheim, 15 engineers are busy coming out with new exciting developments that will then be produced around the world (China, Philippines) and assembled mostly in Cebu, Philippines. Read more about the TIMEX history>>>

2. Timex Ironman History
Why do we need an Ironman Time Line? Most people just drive to Wal-Mart buy a new one and dump the old one on the way out! I read a comment like this on the web and thought that the Ironman model line really deserved an "online museum" or at least a simple page showing and honoring their development. After all, these watches cost very little and last for a long time. So what better place to host such an "online museum" then the "Poor Man's" Watch Forum?
The first Ironman was issued in 1982 and the first Ironman with Indiglo (TIMEX is the inventor of the electro-luminescent backlight and branded it Indiglo, probably from a combination of GLOW and INDIGO) was released in 1992. Since 1986, a huge variety of models has been issued and we try to collect representative models on this page.
We will continue to complete this list. I will also add a clickable time line once the page grew larger so you could then jump right to the year you are interested in. For submissions of models, please go here. Thank you!

3. Ironman Time Line
Our aim is to document the history of the TIMEX IRONMAN models. Not to list all ever made Ironman models, but to show some for each year and to document their features. In May 2007 I tried to find the age of a metal cased 8-Lap Memory Ironman and was surprised to see that there are hundreds of sites selling the latest IRONMAN models, but almost no historic information. And that is why we built this time line. We are an independent watch forum and not affiliated with TIMEX Corporation and the comments to each IRONMAN model reflect the opinion of the owner. Please note that the text and pictures on this page are under copyright and that all rights go to the respective owner (this is not a resource for hasty [Ebay] sellers to copy their watch descriptions from).

Year: I bought this watch in 2007
Model Nr.: T62962
Special functions: Black Fast-Wrap strap, Over-sized digits for better readability All day INDIGLO display and night-light Night-Mode Lighting, 16-hour chronograph with lap and split, 99-lap counter with 8 lap recall, Countdown timer: 10-hour capacity, Dual time zones Month/day/date and 12/24 hour time, Shock-resistant to F.T.C. standards, Water-resistant 200m
Battery, life: CR2016 3.5 Year Battery Life
Caliber (movement): 746
Pros: Easy to read display, comfortable to wear,
Cons:
Personal memories or notes: While doing some lunch hour shopping I found this watch on clearance at Target Stores.
Price: MSRP US $50. Store priced normally at US $34.95 and I bought it for US $4.34
Owner, picture credits: Bill Price

2006
20th Anniversary Edition celebrating 20 years Ironman models
(not to be confused with the 25th Anniversary edition that celebrates Triathlon/Ironman contests)

Year: 1998

Model Nr: 5H941

Special functions: 8 lap memory, 1 alarm, 10 hour countdown timer, 99 lap chrono, indiglo backlight

Battery life: n/a

Caliber (movement): 746

Pros: Old school orig ironman style except for indiglo feature (the orig had none)

Cons: watch case small and very lightweight

Personal memories or notes: still available at Amazon.com - as of 5/7/07 comes in a nice tin box.

Price: $44.95

Owner, picture credits: Steve Pressl, St Petersburg FL

Year: Purchased September 2005, but possibly released earlier
Model: T56381, but it has been modified (Timex stock picture of watch is shown, on rubber strap)
Special Functions: Analog and digital time display, auto calendar from 2000 through 2099, two time zones, two daily alarms linked to time zone, three linked countdown timers, chronograph with 42-lap memory
Battery, life: Two batteries, a CR 2016 which I presume is for the digital module, and a 364 for the analog movement; watch is on original batteries which have been in there for nearly two years
Caliber (movement): Timex's part number is M588TH, which encompasses both a proprietary digital module and a Ronda analog movement. The "TH" indicates that the movement was made in Thailand. Note Reto: Ronda is an independent Quartz movement manufacturer from Switzerland, very interesting combination!
Pros: Cool reverse digital display underneath analog hands that can be completely shut off for a very elegant analog-only display, excellent accuracy on the digital side (only about 1 second variance per month), fully-loaded with expected Ironman features, Indiglo backlight, decent lume, parts are cheap ($8 for a stainless steel bracelet)
Cons: Puny analog movement is sloppy and a poor timekeeper (more on that below), reverse display is hard to read in certain lighting, base metal case, somewhat cheesy 0-to-60 fixed bezel, strap/bracelet options are limited due to narrow lug width and case design, out gassing from LCD display and/or battery causes hazing on inside of crystal which requires attention every 8 to 12 months
Personal notes: This is the first watch I modified. I was initially very unhappy with the sloppiness and inaccuracy of the analog movement. The seconds hand was jumpy, didn't line up at all with the hash marks around the edge of the dial, and didn't even think about staying in sync with the digital seconds display, which itself was extremely accurate. I also was annoyed at the hazy film that had formed on the inside of the crystal within weeks of purchasing the watch. Finally, the rubber strap that came on the watch, while comfy and very nicely designed, just wasn't my style. The watch sat, basically unworn, for nearly six months when I finally decided to do something about my unhappiness. First, I bought a bracelet directly from Timex for the insane price of $8 shipped--an incredible value, given its very good construction and appearance. Then I had my local hack-of-a-jeweler put it on, who in the process gouged the sides of the case quite thoroughly. When I got back home, I popped off the back of the case, removed the movement, and then cleaned the inside of the crystal. (Which, as of this writing, has begun hazing up again) Then, using great care and a Leatherman PST multi-tool, I removed the seconds hand. I put the caseback back in place, and the result was a one-of-a-kind Ironman. Timex sells a version similar to this, but the highlights are red versus yellow as on mine, and it has a conventional LCD display with black-on-gray display. Yet, I keep trying to sell it...weird, given the amount of blood, sweat & tears I have in it, eh?
Price: $50, purchased from The Time Factory store in Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
Owner/Picture Credit: Colby May aka Paperboy Part Deux, Timex (stock picture)

2003
25th Anniversary Edition celebrating 25 years Ironman/Triathlon (old name) contests

Year: 2003
Model Nr: 54581 (mid-size, full size model nr is 54571 with same specs except size)
Special functions: Indiglo backlight, 30-lap memory 30-split memory, alarm, countdown timer, WR 100 m
Battery, life: CR 2016

Caliber (movement): 854
Pros:
Cons:
Personal memories or notes:
Price: ca. USD 36.99 (US online seller, May 2007)
Owner, picture credits: Adam in NYC

Year: 2001
Model Nr: T52222 (or approx)
Special functions: 99 Lap timer, 50 lap memory, iControl crown, alarm, chrono, timer. Backlight.
Battery, life: CR 2016 (Still working after 7 years!)
Caliber (movement): 839
Pros: Sets like an analog watch with the crown. Reliable, good backlight, and nice 42mm size case.
Cons: Narrow lug-lug width (16mm) limits strap choices -- would be great on a nylon!
Personal memories or notes: This was my "overnight call" watch when I was at the VA (Veteran's Hospital). The "nighttime" backlight feature kept the light on long enough for my eyes to refocus on the generous screen. Of course, all the alcohol and other chemicals used during my call have damaged the strap, but it's still held together and has a well-worn sheen to it.
Price: On sale for $25, was $40.
Owner, picture credits: Tom Price (owner and bad photographer)

Special functions: Indiglo back light, 8-lap memory, 99 round counter, 2 alarms, countdown timer

Battery, life: e.g. a whopping 8 years on a CR 2016 with very little use of the Indiglo back light function and alarm, WR 200 m

Pros: Great, light and very comfortable sports watch. Big and easy accessible pushers. Thanks to a resin case, quite audible alarm signals.

Cons: Strap has become a bit sticky, difficult to clean, not idea for a sports watch. Buttons look like they would not survive 8 years if the watch was really used very often. Mine looks like new, because I have worn it like a Patek Philippe with utmost care.

Personal memories or notes: I purchased a Timex in the USA in 1996 (Data Link) and then gave it to a young boy who was really fascinated with the flashing bars used to synchronize PC and watch. So I gave that Timex-Microsoft DataLink away and thus needed a replacement. I liked the quite unusual color combination on this one.
Price: Street price ca. USD 50 (bought in shopping mall Bangkok for THB 2040 after discount 20%)
Owner, picture credits (if not owner): Reto Castellazzi

Year: 1996 or 1997, I think it should be 1997, but upon resetting the watch, the date is at 1996, so maybe the module is from 1996?

Special functions: I copied and pasted the below text from the website www.keenansystems.com , where it was selling this watch previously. It basically sums it up:

Ironman Triathlon w/Data Link uses a standard CRT computer monitor to transmit information using light impulses to a light receiver on the face of the watch. The watch comes with its own software, and it also can be used with certain industry standard personal organizer software, such as Microsoft Outlook 98 and 2000. It is not supported by Microsoft Schedule + 7. The Datalink system requires the Timex Notebook Adapter for compatibility with Windows NT or for use with laptop computers and other PCs with LCD screens.

# 100-hour Chronograph with lap and split
# 50-lap memory recall with best lap calculation
# 5 Multi-Mode Countdown Timers with 100-hour capacity
# 10 Alarms for Appointments, Anniversaries or Reminders
# Phone Number/Personal Information storage
# INDIGLO night-light with NIGHT-MODE feature
# 2nd time zone with date
# Up to 38 phone numbers with 15-character messages
# Daily, Monthly or Yearly Alarm Settings with 15-character messages
# Chronograph Label and Lap Storage Requirements
# Customized Sports Timers for Soccer, Basketball, Football and more
# World Wide Time Zone Settings and Watch Options

Battery life: No idea, the watch is from 1997, I bought mine on 20 March 2007 and its still running and Indiglo still works. Uses CR2025 lithium batteries.

Caliber (movement): No idea, but I think it dates to 1996 because a reset will have the watch starts with 1996.

Pros: With all those functions, personal organizer and the cool 'transmitting data via CRT monitor light impulse' thingy, at a retail price of about USD$75/-, this must be one heck of a watch during it's time! It also became the 4th watch (out of the 4) certified by NASA for space missions.

Cons: Except the case back and the innards, its all plastic, I don't think tough like a Casio G-Shock. No experience with the resin band, since mine came with the filmsy folded link bracelet with sharp edges, which I immediately removed and replaced with a nice silicone strap.

Personal memories or notes: Since I got interested in space watches these recent years, I have been on the lookout for one of this, making it a point to check out the Timex display stand whenever I visit a watch shop carrying Timex products. Though I read that its sold out all over for some years since, I had been harboring that wish that I might someday come across one. On some angles the LCD screen turns on a green hue. Now I think back about 10 years and vaguely remember that during either my student or national service days I was lusting for a Timex with a alien-greenish LCD screen (which looks cool to me) whenever I visit a watch shop. I couldn't afford one during those days.

Ten years later, on one fateful day I went out to watch the movie "300" and while waiting for the show time I did some window shopping and saw this watch as a NOS on display in a Citychain watch store! It must be hiding there for the past 10 years! I asked the salesgirl to do a check for me and it turns out to be the last piece the entire watch chain have in Singapore, which is not surprising, since this model had already a became some sort of a collector's item in recent years.

Price: unknown
Owner/Picture Credit: Anton C (watch adapter pic (inset) www.watchoutlet.com)

Model Nr 78047
Year: 1996
Special Functions
- Requires the Timex Notebook Adapter for compatiblity with Windows NT
- 50-lap memory recall with best lap calculation
- Chronograph Label and Lap Storage Requirements
- The Ironman* Triathlon . watch with Data Link . system is the ultimate sports watch.
- 10 Alarms for Appointments, Anniversaries or Reminders
- It combines the most popular sports features of the Timex Ironman . with Timex's award winning Data Link . System
- 2nd time zone with date
- 100-hour Chronograph with lap and split
- Stainless steel/rubber link foldover band
- INDIGLO. night-light with NIGHT-MODE. feature
- Daily, Monthly or Yearly Alarm Settings with 15-character messages
- Phone Number/Personal Information storage
- Up to 38 phone numbers with 15-character messages
- 5 Multi-Mode Countdown Timers with 100-hour capacity
- This Timex Watch and all our Timex Watches carry a full one year manufacturers warranty

Year: 1994
Model Nr: Unknown
Special Functions: Stopwatch with 8-lap split/memory, three-function countdown timer, daily alarm, hourly chime, Indiglo EL backlight (now defunct)
Battery, life: CR 2016...has been replaced just two times in the 13 years I've owned the watch
Calibre(movement): M731-4
Pros: essentially bulletproof, exceptionally lightweight, standard but partially-hooded lugs accept a variety of straps, easy-to-read no-nonsense digital display, buttons designed for easy activation
Cons: case is a bit small but that was normal at the time of its release...nothing else that I can really think of
Personal memories or notes: This watch was along for the ride on my wedding day and subsequent honeymoon. I have a picture of me and my dad taken as part of our wedding pictures, with him wearing the watch, pointing to it and looking at me scornfully as if to say "You're late again!" This watch and I have been through a lot together, and I'm hopeful that I can retire it soon to its rightful place in my WIS Hall of Fame.
Price: I believe it cost around $40 new...my then-fiancee/now-wife bought it for me at a nearby K-Mart store if I'm not mistaken
Owner, picture credits: Colby May aka Paperboy Part Deux

Year: 1988 (but see note below)
Model Nr: 484-A
Special functions: Original "8 Lap" Ironman.
Battery, life: CR2016, and "long." It's good for a couple of years or more, depending on how heavy your alarm use is.
Caliber (movement): M484S
Pros: The usual - it's an incredible durable watch. Mine has seen sports & about a decade as carpenter/cabinetmaker. The case is beat up, but not nearly as much as my other tools of that vintage. Remarkable. Also excellent pin strength. I've broken lots of bands, yet never wrecked a pin, or tore a case hole for the pin. It's also proven resistant to solvents splashes from painting and clean-up, and the corrosive aspect of mixing concrete.
Timex deserves an award for getting the interface right. It really is exactly what's wanted for pounding though laps while not thinking too clearly due to sweat and endorphins.
Cons: The lamp of these pre-Indiglo first-generation watches is only barely useful. And, as with all LCD watches of this vintage, it's unreadable at much of an angle.
Personal memories or notes:
1. My caseback is slightly different from the 1990 shown in your 'Undated' section. Mine does not have the battery type imprinted, and my date code, 37, has been overstamped with XX. I've no idea why that is, but I do recall I must have got the watch about 1988.
2. The pictures above depict a watch from 1990. You can see the caseback date code is 61 or 64.
3. That 1990 watch includes the comment "Case: metal (see the screw holes in pic) later ones resin." This is a good guess, but incorrect. The case as shown is indeed a very hard resin. I've tested mine (discretely) with a soldering iron to confirm.
4. These watches are adjustable. Referring to the middle picture above.
See the little screw at the left edge, with the wide tan washer. That's the trimming capacitor. Mine is identical except the washer carries a green position dot. Looks like it was applied with a felt pen.
For adjustment, try small amounts like 1/4 turn. Anti-clockwise seems to set faster, but I say "seems" because some trimming capacitors do both + and - within 360*, with further revolutions being superfluous. Be aware of this and experiment gently.
5. Owners in need of a manual should visit the Manuals & Downloads section of Timex's website. The "8 Lap" unit listed is the second generation with Indiglo, but the functions are nearly identical.
6. I won't bother sending you pics of my typical scuffed-up first-generation Ironman, but I do wish I had a good shot of a riding mate's. His is actually melted, and missing the face button caps. When he was younger it went through the deep-fryer of a best-unnamed international fried chicken outfit. Add years of sports and work as a welder, and his has quite a bit of character now. It still functions just fine.
Price: No idea, but worth every penny after 20 years.
Owner, picture credits: I'm happy to be anonymous, thanks. Everything but my email address can be used in whole or in part for your Time Line or a related forum post. Cheers

Datasheet coming, hopefully...
For now this text from the Timex History (Timex website): Alone among all domestic watchmakers, only Timex survived the brutal 1970s watch industry shakeout caused by new digital watch technology and fierce price competition from the Far East. Having gradually phased out mechanical watch production in favor of digital watches, in 1986 Timex introduced its "Ironman Triathlon®," jointly devised by serious athletes and industrial designers. Within a year, the "Ironman Triathlon®" became America's best-selling watch and, diversifying into a full line for men and women, became the world's largest selling sports watch, a distinction it has held throughout the 1990s.

Please use the datasheet below to submit Ironman information. Thank you. Post them on www.pmwf.com or and drop a line to reto@loxinfo.co.th

Please help us date (Year of issue) these watches below. You could link to the picture and post on the forum or you can send information to reto@loxinfo.co.th

Please help us identify these watches below. You could link to the picture and post on the forum or you can send information to reto@loxinfo.co.th