Caveman's Watch Forum
 |
 : Timex Ironman Triathlon model 721 D9
Ricky Lee
June 14, 2012 09:30AM
|
Registered: April 2005
Posts: A lot
|
This is part of Bro. UKRower's generous donation to
Ricky Lee's Home for Wayward Wristwatches, which I mentioned previously
HERE.
The watch was manufactured in September of 1996 according to the D9
date code. The caliber 721 is listed as being introduced in 1992 by the
PMWF Timex Ironman Time Line,
but I suspect that this is inaccurate. When the movement is reset the
year defaults to 1993, so I believe 1993 to be the first year of issue
for the 721. Watches with 1992 date codes may well exist, but I
conjecture that they didn't "enter the pipeline" until the following
year.
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
Sorry about all the dust and lint there. I didn't realize until after I'd shot the photos that I'd neglected to perform my pre-photo dusting. 
The case is constructed of plastic resin with a SS back, and measures
44mm X 46.6mm X 11mm thick, with 19mm lugs. The OEM strap was also
plastic resin, and the example on mine was extremely stiff and brittle with
age. Indeed, half the long end was broken off, presumably at "the
crease" corresponding the the former owner's wrist size.
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
The watch arrived "dead", but woke right up with the installation of a fresh 
CR2016. The process is
a bit fiddly, with the type of battery hold-down plate which
necessitates the removal of all four screws to extract the old cell,
then requires you to sandwich the + terminal between battery and hold-down plate. No big deal, though a 3rd hand would make the task easier. 
The movement complications are:
• Full-function
watch shows the hours, minutes, seconds, year, month, date, and day of
week. 12-hour (AM/PM) or 24-hour format is userselected in each of 2
time zones.
• A chronograph that stores up to 100 total
lap/split times in separate segments, so you can review your training
progress. 1/100-second resolution for the first hour and one second
resolution up to 100 hours.
• 5 alarms with date, and hourly signal chime.
• Countdown timer can be set for up to 9
repetitions, or a continuous cycle, of up to 9 intervals. Each interval
can be set to stop with an alarm at end of the countdown, to restart
automatically, or to start the chronograph to time an event at the end
of the countdown.
• Memo function stores and reviews up to 10 memos of 24 characters each.
• INDIGLO® night-light for state-of-the-art illumination, with the NIGHTMODE® feature for extra viewing ease.
Click
HERE for larger photo or
HERE for supersized photo
The functions are all quite intuitive.. provided one is somewhat familiar with the 
line in general. The ergonomics are good, all six (!) pushers work smoothly, and as expected the 
works great. 
Click
HERE for larger photo or
HERE for supersized photo
Again I must apologize for the grunge on the caseback
there. Not only did I forget the dusting, but these photos were taken
before cleaning. That gunk did come right off and, while the
watch does have significant wabi, it's not too bad given the ca. 1996
vintage. Heck, compared to my model 731A it could be considered Mint. 
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo
All in all a most effective old chronograph, one that remains "fresh" for me, and runs just as well as it did 16 years ago.
Thanks for readin' y'all!
Sláinte! 
-Ricky
Additional reading:
"A watch should be worth looking at even when you already know the time" - vintage Omega ad