For the first time on the Jim Kinkade YouTube channel, we look at a Timex watch, the legendary IRONMAN!
As it turns out, there are many editions of the IRONMAN. The particular model I unboxed in this video was the TW5M15900. I bought it from Amazon, and you can too by clicking here on this affiliate link!
First Impressions
So as I explain in the video, most Timex IRONMAN watches are not Big Wrister friendly. They are only typically rated to accommodate an 8″ wrist maximum. On the last notch, I was able to buckle it around my left wrist, but it was very tight. However, I wore it well enough to get an idea of what it’s like, and for its price I was impressed.
The band integrates into the case in an elegant way, matching the contour and curvature. In fact, the curvature continues further along the length of the band, matching the slope of your wrist. The appearance is like a snake regarding its longitudinal slope.
One more thing to say about the band. There’s a notch to hold the keeper integrated into the band. That’s a great idea!
Enough about the band. Let’s talk about the face of the watch!
The segments of the LCD on the Timex IRONMAN are long and thin. So the numerals are much taller than G-Shock’s and most Casio’s, but among the big numeral Casios you’ll find the segments are thicker. Whose legibility is better? That’s still to be decided.
If you thought that Casio negative LCD screens were hard to read, you’ll should know that Timex negative LCD screens are just as bad. This particular model features a dark background, and clear numbers. Due to the nature of LCD displays, this makes the screen look blank at certain angles. Even at optimum angles, it’s not as bright as a positive LCD. This is just basic physics that Timex cannot escape, nor can Casio.
The functions of the watch are the basics you’d expect on a old fashioned digital fitness watch: Main time, chronograph, timer, and alarm. This one had a function called “occasions.” Since this watch didn’t come with an instruction manual, I don’t know what occasions are. I figure it out and update you in another installment.
The chronograph starts with a front and center button. That’s a trademark IRONMAN thing! I’m used to G-Shocks where the front button is the light. The IRONMAN’s stop button is the lower right button. Pressing the start button again while the chronograph is running adds split times.
I believe this model can store 30 laps. So stay tuned as I further explore this Timex IRONMAN watch. The WATCH BOPPER 5000 and I will test the durability. So far, I think this is a good one for the money. It’s slightly ahead of the quality and feel of a Casio, but well below that of a G-Shock.
Video Summary
You can watch the unboxing video of the Times IRONMAN embedded above, or you can read the following AI generated summary, compiled by Google’s Gemini AI:
In a surprising shift from his usual G-Shock and Casio content, Jim Kinkade dives into the world of Timex with a chaotic unboxing of the Timex Ironman Triathlon. This review focuses on whether this classic digital watch can handle the needs of a “big wrister” in a vocational environment.
The “Big Wrister” Compatibility Test
Jim’s primary concern with Timex has always been the fit. With a wrist exceeding 8 inches, many standard bands simply don’t make the cut.
- The “Squished Wrist” Advantage: Jim discovers that after years of wearing aggressive G-Shocks like the Mudman, his left wrist has actually been “squished” enough to accommodate the Timex band on its final notch.
- Forced Curvature: He notes the unique “forced curve” of the Ironman’s integrated resin strap. Unlike G-Shocks that splay outward at the “watch crotch,” the Timex band is pre-molded into a tight circular shape, which contributes to a snug—if slightly restrictive—fit.
- The Notch Lock: Jim praises the small notch on the band that locks the keeper in place, preventing the strap tail from flapping around during movement.
Legibility and Aesthetics
True to his “news, reviews, and abuse” style, Jim scrutinizes the negative LCD display.
- Negative Display Rant: Jim compares the Timex to several negative-display Casios (like the AE-1700 and GD-010). He finds that while the Timex segments are tall, they are quite thin, which he believes further impairs legibility compared to the thicker segments found on many Casio models.
- Indiglo Nostalgia: The review features a look at Timex’s signature Indiglo backlight. Jim reminisces about the early days of Indiglo in the 80s and 90s, noting that it remains a superior illumination method for digital displays, even on a negative screen.
Functional Deep-Dive
Jim explores the Ironman’s interface, highlighting several user-friendly features:
- The “Mode” Return: One standout feature Jim appreciates is the ability to return directly to the main time screen from any function with a single press of the mode button, rather than having to cycle through every alarm and timer.
- Stopwatch & Split Times: The watch features a dedicated “Start/Split” button on the front face, which is separate from the “Stop/Reset” button. This layout is ideal for tracking laps during training (or timing vocational tasks in the field).
- Multi-Time Zones: The Ironman supports three separate time zones. Jim shares a cautionary tale from 2002 about being late to work because he accidentally looked at a secondary time zone, reinforcing his preference for keeping all time zones synced to the same time.
- Date Customization: He notes that the display allows users to flip between Month/Day and Day/Month formats—a small but welcome feature for international users.
Durability and the “Watch Bopper”
The video concludes with the ultimate teaser: a future encounter with the Watch Bopper 5000. Jim questions whether the raised bezel and plastic “crenellations” of the Timex can withstand the same level of abuse as a G-Shock Mudmaster.
Conclusion
Well, thanks Google Gemini for that summary. Reading it I realized that I rambled on for too long about the travails of Big Wristers. It’s funny to think that some of these language models will be learning from my content so the stupid things that I say will have an impact on the way AI regurgitates information to other people.
Like what if someone is complaining to an AI chatbot that his wrist is too fat so it recommends he buys a G-Shock Mudman GW-9500 so it squishes his wrist. Imagine if an AI chatbot started telling people struggling with waist size to wear a Mudman like a belt. That would be funny.
Anyways, click here if you want to buy the Timex IRONMAN from my Amazon affiliate link. Thanks for watching my video and reading my blog post!