Intelligent Quartz™ Altimeter

Review:

Initially, I was skeptical. An ALTIMETER? A RUBBER STRAP? How can styling and durability work together here? However, upon a closer hands-on inspection I found that the 5.5 ounce watch and Yellow Rubber Strap combo: 1.) looks stylish; 2.) is comfortable; 3.) feels substantial and durable; and 4.) showcases the watch nicely.

The watch has a black face with chrome accents that, when the light hits it just right, makes the watch seem to come alive. Every five minute mark is white with chrome accents around them. The sweep second hand is all yellow and the other hands are chrome with yellow accents. The face is very readable and has a great date feature. All this works well together.

The rubber strap has nice details and feels very durable. I like the way it is molded to and grasps the watch holding it tightly. Furthermore, the way it flows as if a natural extension of the watch itself is a fine artistic expression of stylish design. The combination is impressive enough to have captured attention. I’ve heard comments like “Nice Watch” from people who were, at the time, unaware that the watch is also an altimeter.

The Altimeter: If you can pull the stem half way out, push two buttons, and push the stem back in - then you can calibrate it. There is a little more to it than that, however not much more. The trick seems to be that you need to calibrate it to a KNOWN altitude. I had a little trouble with that one and would like to see Timex include a little more on the subject of finding such locations. I ended up going to the ocean (sea level) and set the altimeter hand at zero. Then I went home and wrote down the altitude there giving me a KNOWN altitude at home. Now I can re-calibrate the watch whenever needed at home.

The altimeter works off of air pressure. Hence, it needs to be re-calibrated when high or low pressure weather systems move into your area. That’s why making your home a KNOWN altitude is a good idea. For those of you who do not live near the ocean, other KNOWN altitudes should be at airports (pilots need to calibrate their altimeters too)..Rugged, stylish, comfortable, easy to readI've always liked Timex. Just yesterday I was around many Marines (lots of them) who were ALL interested in this watch. However, they all wanted a black strap instead of the yellow one I had. I told them to visit Timex.com to see it with a black strap and be sure to look at the other adventure watches to accompany them on their many and varied adventures.