Cheap Chrono?

[Ursa Major]

I want to start doing some serious interval training at the gym (and maybe outside it). To time the intervals I'd like a chronograph function. I guess I could pick up a Timex ironman, but I'm used to analog rather than digital. Any ideas for an inexpensive but fairly sturdy chronograph? The only one I own right now is a Speedy Pro, which I'm not going to beat up in the gym.

My preference would be for a rubber/nato/velcro type strap, though a bracelet would be okay. I'd like something fairly large (42mm+) and with a clear dial (no Citizen Skyhawk type confusion) for easy visibility - I don't need to calculate fuel consumption to Djibouti or my average airspeed, just to tell the time and when to start and stop the intervals. Quartz is just fine (maybe preferred), though a cheap auto movement is fine too - I don't need +4/-6 for this application.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[DSJ]

Look at some of the ones by Tissot.

[mailman]

Have a look at the Seiko Sportura line. Some have leather straps, some have rubber straps. Also, some of the analog models have alarms on them too. Good luck

[Ursa Major]

Thanks, guys. For some reason I've never focused on Tissot, but a quick look on Amazon has some nice models that might fit the bill.

I like Seiko Sporturas, I particularly like the SNA749, the orange/black quartz chrono with a rubber band that commemorates the Honda/Williams F1 team. I had looked at that one for a while a few months ago, and nearly picked one up. I was put off by the price, around $400-450 against a $650 MSRP. Then I got into Rolex, and my standards of watch affordability changed drastically.

A friend suggested I look at Victorinox, there are some good candidates there. Any further suggestions are welcome, thanks.

[J. Martin Tensuan]

Originally Posted by DSJ

Look at some of the ones by Tissot.

Hi, Dave. I agree with David.

Check out the T-Touch. It is both analog and digital (although the chronograph function is only digital). I know you said you're not looing for anything complicated but the T-Touch will give you a host of other features (compass, altimeter, barometer, alarm). Who knows? You may find it useful next time you go hiking/camping.

The titanium model comes with a rubber strap or a titanium bracelet. I have the one with the rubber strap. It is so light and comfortable I highly recommend it for working out/weekends.

[David1971]

Jacques Lemans or Certina.

-David

[Ed Rooney]

Casio has a really nice analog chrono in their G-shock line. Have a look at the GS1000.

[jamesh]

What about Zodiac - Swiss Made, quite sporty / nice looking and very inexpensive

[BigHat]

Dave,
You buy yet?

Personally, I'd get a Polar HRM with a stopwatch function. When I did lots on inteval training the ability to monitor heart rate and time for quarters and 880s was very handy.

I could at least view max and avg HR on some of the models I own and on two of them I could download the data and see a graphic depiction I couls save.

Good luck,
Matt

[daveathall]

Ive had a PRS-5 for about 2 weeks and for $400 are cheap moneywise, the same cant be said of the quality, amazing value, rugged, handwound and come with a choice of strap, Nato included and bundled with a 2 watch travel holder.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Ive had a PRS-5 for about 2 weeks and for $400 are cheap moneywise, the same cant be said of the quality, amazing value, rugged, handwound and come with a choice of strap, Nato included and bundled with a 2 watch travel holder.

From the sounds of that and the picture it seems to be the most for your money in that price range and comes with a good set of stuff.

[Ursa Major]

Originally Posted by BigHat

Dave,
You buy yet?

In keeping with my guiding life philosophy - indecisiveness and avoidance of commitment - I've done a couple of things. First, I picked up a Timex Ironman on a rubber strap. It's got a great chrono function (and lots of other things, I think it does your taxes if you program it right) and cost me all of $50 or so on Amazon. Second, I remembered that I bought a Hamilton quartz chrono on TZ a few months ago, and pulled it out of the drawer in my desk where I'd hidden it (mainly from myself). It's got a 40mm (or so) dial, which is fine, and the chrono function is pretty usable. It's on a bracelet, but that's ok. I didn't pay much for it, certainly less than any of the watches under discussion on this thread, and while it's a nice, robust watch, if a bulldozer happened to run over it while I wasn't looking it wouldn't rock my world in the way that a lost Speedy Pro would. Finally, as I was reminded above, Seiko has some very decent chronos, and I particularly like the SNA749, a quartz chrono in official Williams/Honda F1 colors (black/orange). Im going to pick one of those up soon.