The Timex Ironman 8-Lap Gray Shades, reference TW5M54500, is a worthwhile buy for a specific reader: someone who wants a light, inexpensive digital sports watch with a 100-meter rating and eight-lap memory, and who specifically wants the gray colorway that Timex Japan describes as limited to Japan. If you need a watch you can buy easily in any market, or you expect a long-term, manufacturer-backed battery service plan, the picture is less favorable. The model is also hard to find through Timex’s official Japan listing at the time we checked, so availability is the first thing to confirm.
This review draws on the official Timex Japan product page, Timex’s Ironman manual, and an independent hands-on review by Fratello. We have not worn or tested this watch ourselves. Where the article describes how it looks or feels on the wrist, those statements come from the Fratello reviewer and are attributed as such.
Which watch this is: the Gray Shades colorway and reference TW5M54500
The reference number is the fastest way to identify this exact watch. The Ironman 8-Lap line has been sold in several colorways, so a search for “Ironman 8-Lap” can return models that look different and carry different references. The Gray Shades is TW5M54500. Timex Japan describes the gray shade as limited to Japan, which means you should not assume it is sold through every Timex channel in every country.
Timex’s product description for the original Ironman 8-Lap says that the original model sold more than 400,000 units in its first year. That is the manufacturer’s own historical statement. The page does not give a year for the figure, and it is not an independently audited sales number. It tells you the design has a long commercial history, not how this particular colorway has performed.
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#1 Best Overall
- Contrast Case Build: A 38mm gray and black resin case pairs with an adjustable 18mm strap for secure, everyday training wear
- Serious Performance: A 100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory and a 24-hour countdown timer support training days, while three customizable alarms keep you on schedule
- Stay on Schedule: Two time zones and a full day, date and month calendar keep every plan on track wherever the day takes you
- Night-Ready Visibility: An acrylic lens and INDIGLO backlight keep the digital display easy to read after dark, day or night
- Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise
Specifications: what Timex says and what the reviewer measured
Timex and the Fratello reviewer describe overlapping but not identical information. The table below separates the two so you can see which details come from the manufacturer and which come from the independent review.
| Item | Timex Japan product page | Fratello hands-on review |
|---|---|---|
| Reference | TW5M54500 | TW5M54500 |
| Colorway | Gray Shades, described as limited to Japan | Gray |
| Water resistance | 100 meters | Not stated in the review |
| Case diameter | Not stated | 39 mm wide |
| Lug-to-lug | Not stated | 46.5 mm |
| Thickness | Not stated | 10.5 mm |
| Case and strap material | Not stated | Gray resin case and gray resin strap (19 mm strap width) |
| Crystal | Not stated | Mineral glass |
| Caseback | Not stated | Stainless steel |
| Movement type | Not stated | Digital quartz |
| Expected battery life | Not stated | Not stated by Timex; the reviewer reports owner accounts of three to five years (anecdotal, not a guarantee) |
| Listed price | $126.00 on the retrieved page, which may be regional and is not a stable current price | Not stated |
| Availability | Shown as sold out when checked | Not stated |
The dimensions are the most useful figures for judging fit. A 39 mm wide case with 46.5 mm lug-to-lug is a moderate footprint for a digital watch, and 10.5 mm of thickness keeps the profile low. Whether that suits you depends on your wrist size, which the reviewer’s measurements alone cannot settle. If you have a small wrist, check the lug-to-lug figure against a watch you already own before you buy.
Functions and how they work in practice
Timex’s official list for this model includes eight-lap memory, chronograph, timer, alarm, calendar and Indiglo night-light, along with 100-meter water resistance. The Fratello review adds digital time, a countdown timer and an hourly chime to that list.
Rank #2
- Gray Build: A 38mm gray resin case pairs with an adjustable 16mm strap for secure, everyday training wear day after day, year after year
- Serious Performance: A 100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory and a 24-hour countdown timer support training days, while three customizable alarms keep you on schedule
- Stay on Schedule: Two time zones and a full day, date and month calendar keep every plan on track wherever the day takes you
- Night-Ready Visibility: An acrylic lens and INDIGLO backlight keep the digital display easy to read after dark, day or night
- Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise
- Eight-lap memory: The core sports function. It stores the split times for up to eight laps, which is enough for a standard track session but not for a long workout that produces more laps. Check how you intend to use it before assuming it covers your needs.
- Chronograph and timer: The chronograph measures elapsed time for a session, while the countdown timer counts down from a set interval, useful for intervals or a set training block.
- Alarm, hourly chime and calendar: Everyday functions that work as you would expect from a basic digital watch. The reviewer mentions the hourly chime as a feature, but does not describe how loud it is.
- Indiglo: The backlight that makes the display readable in the dark. Timex lists it as a night-light feature, and the reviewer lists it among the watch’s functions.
The reviewer does not report a test of lap-timing accuracy or of how the display performs in bright sunlight, so those aspects are outside what this article can confirm.
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Build, fit and wear: the reviewer’s observations
The Fratello reviewer describes the watch as light and compact on the wrist. Those observations are the reviewer’s, not ours.
One detail is worth noting. The reviewer says the bezel sits at the same height as the mineral glass crystal. In practice, that means the crystal has little protection from the bezel and may be exposed to scratches from contact with hard surfaces. If you plan to wear this watch for rough training, a gym or outdoor use, expect that the crystal will need care over time.
Rank #3
- Negative Display Build: A 38mm gray and black resin case with a black digital display pairs with an adjustable 18mm strap
- Serious Performance: A 100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory and a 24-hour countdown timer support training days, while three customizable alarms keep you on schedule
- Stay on Schedule: Two time zones and a full day, date and month calendar keep every plan on track wherever the day takes you
- Night-Ready Visibility: An acrylic lens and INDIGLO backlight keep the digital display easy to read after dark, day or night
- Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise
Water use: what the 100-meter rating does and does not cover
Timex lists the watch at 100 meters of water resistance. Timex also states clearly that this is not a dive watch, and the rating should not be read as permission to use the watch for diving or deep swimming. The official Timex Ironman manual includes this warning, quoted exactly:
“WARNING: TO MAINTAIN WATER-RESISTANCE, DO NOT PRESS ANY BUTTONS UNDER WATER.”
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- Do not press any buttons while the watch is underwater, including during a swim or shower.
- Do not treat the watch as a dive instrument. Timex says it is not a dive watch.
- Rinse the watch with fresh water after exposure to salt water, such as sea swims or ocean sessions.
- If the watch has been exposed to water and you see condensation or fogging under the crystal, stop using it underwater until a service center has checked the seals.
Battery and service: what to check before you order a cell
Timex does not state an expected battery life for this model. The Fratello reviewer reports owner accounts of three to five years, but that is anecdotal and should not be treated as a manufacturer guarantee or a measured result.
Rank #4
- Bold Field Design: Green 41mm case with digital dial pairs with an adjustable black strap fitting wrists up to 8 inches for daily wear
- Serious Performance: A 100-hour chronograph tracks lap and split times, plus a 24-hour countdown timer and a month, day and date calendar for everyday training
- Everyday Alarms: Three daily, weekday, or weekend alarms with a 5-minute backup, 24-hour military time mode, and two time zones keep you on schedule
- Night-Ready Visibility: An acrylic lens and INDIGLO light-up dial keep the gray digital display easy to read from dawn to dusk and after dark
- Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise
Timex’s manual index lists the Ironman 8-Lap Digital, under model number 746, with a CR2016 battery. Before buying a replacement cell, confirm that this listing matches your watch. The manual index is the only battery specification we could tie to this family, and it is not clearly tied to the Gray Shades reference, so do not assume it applies to your unit.
Timex’s manual recommends professional battery replacement. If you plan to replace the battery yourself, follow this sequence and be aware that the caseback is stainless steel and may need specialist tools to open without damage:
- Confirm the model number on the caseback or in the manual against model 746 and the CR2016 listing.
- Check whether the watch is still under any warranty before opening the caseback, since opening it may affect coverage.
- Have the battery replaced by a professional watch service where possible, which also allows the seal to be checked.
- After any battery change, test the water-resistance seal before using the watch in water, and avoid pressing buttons underwater.
Availability and price
When we checked the official Timex Japan page, the Gray Shades was shown as sold out. The same page listed a price of $126.00, but that figure may be regional and should not be taken as a current or stable price. Check prices and stock directly with an authorized Timex retailer in your market before you commit.
Best Value
- Green Case Build: A green 38mm case pairs with a black resin strap and a classic buckle closure for a bold, lightweight look on training days and weekends
- Serious Performance: A 100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory and a 24-hour countdown timer support training days, while three alarms keep the rest of your day on schedule
- Quick Function Access: The iconic design gives fast access to all timers, alarms, and the INDIGLO backlight, even in the middle of a workout
- Swim-Ready Build: Water resistant to 100 meters for swimming and snorkeling, this digital sport watch has an acrylic crystal that protects the display during every workout
- Built to Last: A Timex watch is designed for durability and everyday reliability; every piece reflects our commitment to quality without compromise
The Japan-limited description also matters for buyers outside Japan. Even if you find the watch listed elsewhere, the colorway may be a grey-market or secondary-market purchase, and you should confirm the seller, the warranty terms and the return policy before paying.
How to judge it against other digital sports watches
The sources do not include a controlled comparison with other Ironman 8-Lap models or with competing digital sports watches, so this article cannot say the Gray Shades is better or worse than them. The following axes are the ones to compare when you shop:
Quick Recap
- Price and actual availability in your market.
- Case size, thickness and strap width against your wrist.
- Water-resistance rating and the manufacturer’s operating cautions.
- Lap-memory capacity and the other training functions you use.
- Colorway, if the gray finish matters to you and whether a Japan-limited model is accessible to you.
Who should buy it, and who should look elsewhere
- Good fit: A reader who wants this specific gray colorway, values a light and compact digital watch, plans light swimming or splash exposure rather than diving, and can find the watch through an authorized seller.
- Consider alternatives: A reader who needs a watch available everywhere, requires more than eight laps of memory, wants a watch rated for diving, or expects a manufacturer-stated battery life.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
