ISO durable long-lasting watch

[SAMbike]

Hi everyone,

I've been wearing Timex Ironman 50 lap (not because I do laps...) watch for years. About every year or so I buy a new one because the old one is dirty (not because I don't wash it, but it just discolors the resin/plastic) and worn (color chipping/peeling off). Plus, my latest one now has the sides loosening up and actually pulling away from the main body of the watch. So it works, they all continue to work, I just don't like wearing them anymore.

So I'd like to buy a watch and actually keep it for more than 2 years. This watch is $60. I really don't want to pay hundreds like I see I can. Anyone have a watch that is durable for sports use, decent enough for everyday wearing, and lasts - cosmetically - for years?

Thanks,
SAM

[madscot13]

I feel your pain. I have gone through 2 Timex ironman's. my plastic is not discolored too bad but the face is scratched up real bad. I am interested to hear what watches people prefer.

[Zen]

I'm wearing a Timex Explorer Illuminite that's so old I don't know how old it is. Maybe 15 years.
As long as it works I don't care what it looks like and I doubt anyone else notices.

How closely do you look at another persons watch?

Timex=Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

[Veronica]

I wear an Omega Seamaster. I've had it for nine years. It was not cheap. It was not made in China and has no plastic bits. I wear it every day. It has an artificial sapphire face, so it is scratch proof. It's water resistant to 100 meters. My cost per day so far is.37 cents. That will continue to diminish, since I doubt I will ever need to buy another watch, unless this one gets stolen.

Oh and I often look at other people's watches. There are some really exquisite ones out there.

Veronica

[SAMbike]

Thank you all for your replies!

[OakLeaf]

What sports features do you need? I'd start there, and eliminate watches that don't have the features you're looking for.

HRM, altimeter, lap counter (you already said you didn't use that), stopwatch, foot pod, GPS?

Other than its sports features, a watch is just jewelry - date and time come more accurately from your phone and/or GPS. If that's what you're looking for, then spend as much as you would for a nice bracelet.