Timex Ironman Japan: I like the blue, but I would still want my square G-Shock

The translucent blue is the one I like here. It looks like a watch that should be next to a very specific collection of things from the nineties, and I'm fine with that. I would still rather wear a square G-Shock, but these Japan-edition Ironmans have enough practical substance that I don't want to dismiss them as a color exercise.

Timex is marking 40 years of Ironman with three Japanese executions of this 39 mm platform. TW5M76000 is light blue, TW5M76100 is yellow with a black strap, and TWG069400 is black with teal details. The blue is visibly translucent in the official photographs. The yellow looks much more solid, so I wouldn't assume all three give you the same see-through effect just because they're described together in launch coverage.

Buttons I can understand

I like seeing actual buttons and a display laid out around using the watch. The front has a lot of different shapes, and those shoulders around the display are less appealing to me than the simpler rectangle of a square G-Shock. Still, the controls have a purpose I can follow. I don't need to invent a new enthusiasm for fitness tracking to see the appeal of a countdown, alarm and stopwatch on something lightweight.

Timex lists an eight-lap memory, chronograph, countdown timer, alarm and INDIGLO illumination. The case is resin, the crystal is acrylic, and water resistance is 100 meters. Published dimensions are 39 by 39 mm and 10.5 mm thick, with a 19 mm lug width. That thickness is particularly reasonable for a digital sports watch. I haven't tested the buttons, alarm volume or visibility in bright light.

The movement is digital quartz. There is no verified solar charging or radio synchronization in the material reviewed here, and I wouldn't buy it assuming either feature. Those are things I appreciate in a G-Shock, so they belong in my comparison even when I like the Timex's appearance. I would also want to know how the resin strap feels and what replacement options actually fit it.

Japan pricing, not a US offer

The Japanese listings give ¥19,800 including tax for the blue and yellow versions, and ¥22,000 for black and teal. The latter includes an additional nylon hook-and-loop strap. I checked those listings on November 4, 2026; I haven't established a US dollar retail price, import total or US order route.

The distributor announcement was published November 2 in Japan, which was still November 1 in Detroit. November 20 is the separate Japanese on-sale date. Neither date proves US availability.

These get 76 out of 120 bezel clicks. I'd pick the blue if I were choosing within this release, but the rounder, busier case still puts it behind the square digital watches I tend to want for myself.