One of the most popular of timepieces ever, the Timex Ironman line of wristwatches is available in a variety of models offering a broad range of features, such as are found in the handy solar-powered Ironman Shock. This is perhaps one of the meanest-looking of all Ironmen ever made, though it has only a fifty-lap memory, as compared against something like the Ironman Triathlon with its hundred-lap capability. The Ironman Shock is, however, a true Timex nonetheless, with the same sporty and digital features as the rest of the family.

All Timex Ironman models can be relied on for ruggedness, variously offering water resistance or shock resistance. They are housed in stainless steel casing for protection against the scrapes and scratches to be expected of sports and outdoor use. They are typically coupled to resin wristbands for comfort and adjustability. Some models use Velcro clasps, while others have traditional buckles. All offer a macho-looking he-man appearance, equally at home in the boardroom or locker room - so says the company. The line also embodies one of Timex' most famous advertising slogans - "it takes a licking and keeps on ticking" - and has been very well-received since its debut in the market years ago.

The Ironmen all feature Timex' own Indiglo back-lighting for superior visibility in conditions of darkness, and run on digital quartz movement for reliable timekeeping. A model like the previously mentioned Ironman Shock provides shock resistance - as an be expected from its name - so that essential workout data is not lost. Speaking of data, a very professionally made bezel accompanies most models in this Timex product line, useful for setting and marking information.

The recognition went over the top since the original model in 1986 to '91 and has been continuously refreshed overtime to maintain its endurance for athletes who prefer it. According to photographs of our famous president Bill Clinton and his early presidential years show that he actually owned a few Ironman models himself. But the watch is not so difficult to obtain as some were released in K-Mart with different wrist straps and were painted black and silver. They did not have the Indiglo technology however until after 1994.

Timex watches are manufactured by one of the most famous of American companies, with a solid track record as an industry leader, bringing to market one of the world's first digital wristwatches ever made back in the '70s or the first Mickey Mouse clock in the '30s. Timex also makes and markets under license the popular Indiglo brand of electroluminescent lamps that have been providing back-lighting for watches for well over twenty years.

With this kind of experience and technical know-how, a Timex is a solid worker and a sure keeper. Indeed, the Ironman line carries on the Timex tradition of innovative design and technology into the 21st Century. Yet it is all still backed by their one-year warranty for good old-fashioned peace-of-mind reliability. When in the market for stylish, hardy, multifunctional timepieces, an inexpensive Ironman is a certain buy.