Timex has typically tapped its sporty Ironman digital line for retro-inspired releases in recent years, such as with the ’00s-era Flix reissue or the colorful collaboration it did with The James Brand a year ago. However this week, it unveiled a decidedly modern edition that also utilizes an analog-digital combo movement for versatility. Let’s take a look.
The Analog-Digital Display
Analog-digital watches have been around for over four decades, following the rise of the first digital watches in the early ‘70s. It was actually Citizen who made the first ana-dig model with its Quartz Digi-Ana (great name, eh?) in 1978. But while both displays would occupy the same face, they would operate adjacent to one another. It wouldn’t be for a few more years that analog and digital would be on top of one another, literally, with models such as the Breitling Aerospace, which is still in production today as perhaps the most “premium” example of the style.
But while what Timex has done with its latest Ironman watch isn’t necessarily revolutionary, it does add meaningful occupation in a category that doesn’t get as much love as it probably should.
Timex Ironman Adrenaline
Dubbed the Ironman Adrenaline, the new ana-dig quartz-powered timepiece places a basic three-hand analog display over a top-bottom digital screen. The screen is a reverse LCD screen, meaning it has a black background with white/gray numerals on top. A set of four pushers are used to operate and toggle through the digital functions, which include your basic time, a countdown timer, a daily alarm, a calendar, a second time zone, and a 50-lap memory.
The black background helps with creating a sense of uniformity when you choose to turn the digital screen off — which is a unique function here. You can do so by pressing one of the pushers for about 4 or 5 seconds. This turns the watch into a standard, almost minimalist analog piece, helped by the styling of the dial, which ditches the numerals in favor of hour markers and sports a mostly-black colorway with orange accents.
A resin case mitigates the weight of the admittedly large 46.5mm case, which may remind some of G-SHOCK’s super-tough analog-digital watches as well. (G-SHOCK loves their resin cases). It’s also bolstered by a stainless steel caseback and a rotating stainless steel bezel with a 60-minute scale. Other features include 100m of water resistance, an INDIGLO backlight, and either a black or red rubber strap.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 46.5mm
Case Thickness: 13mm
Case Material: Resin with stainless steel bezel
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Quartz
Band: Rubber strap
Limited Edition?: No
Pricing & Availability
Price exceptionally low at just $139, the Ironman Adrenaline should be a fantastic workout companion for athletes and runners. Head over to Timex’s website to order one now.
Recap
Timex Ironman Adrenaline
Timex’s new Ironman Adrenaline is an analog-digital watch with a digital display that you can actually turn off.
