Timex Ironman 40th Anniversary Edition: the legend is back for $129

Let’s start with the one you can actually afford tonight. Timex is celebrating 40 years of the Ironman with a 40th Anniversary Edition, ref. TW5M75900, listed at $129 in the US (Timex).

The backstory is the real hook here. Timex says the original Ironman arrived in 1986 as a digital built for runners, with lap memory and pushers you could hit mid stride, and that it sold more than 400,000 units in its first year. If you grew up in the 90s, odds are good one of these lived on your wrist or your dad’s.

The new one keeps the formula and adds a party trick or two. Per Timex’s own spec sheet, you get a 39mm resin case that is 10.5mm thick and 46mm lug to lug, an acrylic crystal, 100 meters of water resistance, a 19mm resin strap, and a CR2016 battery. Functions are the classics: chronograph, countdown timer, alarm, 8 lap memory and the INDIGLO backlight. What makes it an anniversary piece is a custom engraved caseback and a fun blue and red translucent colorway that nods to the retro original (Timex product page).

Now the catch. When I checked on the evening of November 3, Timex’s US product page showed the watch as out of stock, with no restock or ship date listed. I can’t tell you whether that means it already sold through or simply hasn’t opened for orders, and Timex hasn’t said. In Japan, preorders opened November 2 with sales set for November 20 at ¥19,800, alongside three Japan only colorways (a light blue TW5M76000, a yellow TW5M76100, and a black and green TWG069400 at ¥22,000) per Notebookcheck (Notebookcheck).

My take: this is the easiest yes in watches this week. It’s cheap, it’s useful, and it has a story behind it that no new brand can buy. If the Timex page stays empty, older Ironman 8 Lap models are easy to find. Check eBay sold listings for the Ironman 8 Lap so you know what people really pay before you bid.

Shopping for one? See current Timex Ironman 40th Anniversary listings on eBay or current Ironman 8 Lap listings.

Glashütte Original Senator Aventurine: Murano sparkle in platinum and red gold

Now for something completely different. Glashütte Original has added two aventurine dial watches to the Senator line, and Fratello’s first look on November 3 lays out the full picture (Fratello).

• Senator Aventurine Art Déco Blue, ref. 1-36-16-40-03-01. A 950 platinum case, deep blue aventurine dial, solid white gold hands and a dark blue Louisiana alligator strap. US$40,400 (€37,500, £31,500).
• Senator Aventurine Art Nouveau Green, ref. 1-36-16-41-05-01. An 18k red gold case, deep green aventurine dial, 5N gold hands and a brown Louisiana alligator nubuck strap. US$38,200 (€35,500, £29,800).

Both share a 40mm case that is 10.2mm thick and 47.09mm lug to lug, sapphire front and back, 50 meters of water resistance, and the in house automatic calibre 36-16 with a 100 hour power reserve at 4Hz and a silicon balance spring, per Fratello and Time and Tide (Time and Tide). The dial shows hours and minutes only, so the glass gets the whole stage. Time and Tide reports both models have been available at boutiques and selected retailers since October 2026.

The craft detail is what sells it. Fratello explains that aventurine glass traces back to Murano glassmakers in the 17th century, and the name comes from the Italian “à ventura,” meaning by chance, because the metal particles land randomly and no two dials match. Glashütte Original paints black lacquer onto the back of each thin glass disc so light doesn’t pass through, which pushes your eye into the sparkle instead of past it. Fratello calls the result bottomless, and from the photos I believe it.

Is $38,200 a lot for a two hand watch? Absolutely. But you’re paying for precious metal, a serious in house movement with four days of reserve, and a dial that is literally one of one. If German dress watches are your thing, start with sold Glashütte Original Senator listings on eBay to see how the wider Senator family holds value.

Browsing German dress watches? See current Glashütte Original Senator listings on eBay.

Casio Oceanus Manta: mother of pearl for the solar crowd

Last one, and it’s a quiet flex. Casio added two Oceanus Manta models with natural mother of pearl dials, the OCW-S7000PW-7A and the OCW-S40PW-7A, built to be worn as a pair. Notebookcheck, citing Casio Japan, reported that preorders opened in Japan on November 3 with sales starting later this month (Notebookcheck).

Here’s how they split. The OCW-S7000PW-7A measures 42.8mm across and 9.5mm thick, weighs 83 grams, and packs a chronograph, tachymeter bezel, Bluetooth, Multiband 6 radio sync, Tough Solar charging and world time in 27 cities. The OCW-S40PW-7A is a compact 29.7mm, 8.7mm thick and 44 grams, with a three hand date layout, a city ring instead of the tachymeter, and no Bluetooth. Both get titanium cases and bracelets with a titanium carbide treatment, a pearl white sapphire bezel ring, double sided anti reflective sapphire, and 100 meters of water resistance.

Pricing is ¥236,500 for the big one and ¥198,000 for the small one. Notebookcheck converts those to roughly $1,498 and $1,254, but those are currency conversions, not US prices, and Casio has not confirmed international availability. Treat them as Japan market models for now.

Why care? Because Oceanus is one of the best kept secrets in watches: titanium, sapphire and radio controlled accuracy in a package thinner than most mechanical sports watches. Earlier this week Casio also launched the CMK-100, its titanium automatic from $320, so the brand is clearly swinging at every level right now.

Curious about Oceanus? See current Casio Oceanus Manta listings on eBay.

What to read next

If the Ironman has you thinking about a first “real” watch, my Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 buyer’s guide (publishing November 4) is the natural next step up. And if you travel and want a second time zone without spending Rolex money, check out my list of affordable Rolex GMT alternatives under $1,000 (publishing November 5).

And if the Glashütte has you dreaming bigger, my Rolex GMT Master II 16710 buyer’s guide covers one of the best vintage values in luxury right now.

I pulled every number below straight from the US page on November 3, 2026 (Rolex). If you own a Rolex, or you are about to buy one used, this is the most useful thing the brand has published in years.

The three tiers, decoded

Rolex sorts everything by the reference number. Six digits means a modern watch, five digits means what Rolex calls a Classic model, and four digits means Vintage. Not sure which you have? My guide to reading Rolex serial and reference numbers (publishing November 6) shows you where to look.

Modern models (six digit references)

Classic models (five digit references)

Vintage models (four digit references)

Rolex marks the $3,850, $5,500 and $8,810 tiers with a note: only the Rolex Restoration Atelier in Geneva is authorized to work on those references.

What the price actually buys

For six and five digit watches, the complete service covers movement servicing and a waterproofness test. Rolex lists the parts that are included: screws, springs, wheels, lubricants, acrylic crystals, gaskets and tubes. Repairs to the case and bracelet are not included, other spare parts are billed separately, polishing is optional, and bracelet sizing is free. Estimates for modern and classic watches are free too.

Vintage is a different deal, and you need to read it closely. The four digit service covers the movement only, with wear components “subject to availability.” Work on the case, bracelet, dial and hands is excluded. Prices are given by estimate, and if you decline the service after Rolex looks at the watch, you pay a $280 analysis fee. Rolex also says it may refuse a complete overhaul depending on condition and quote a Restoration offer instead, done in Geneva, with an analysis fee of $2,200 if you turn that down.

What it means for my own watches

Real talk. My 2024 Sea Dweller is a modern six digit watch, so it lands in the $770 tier. My 1989 GMT Master II Coke carries a five digit reference, which makes it a Classic at $1,210. Both models share a row on Rolex’s list, yet there is a $440 gap simply because one carries an older five digit reference. If you love neo vintage the way I do (my 16710 buyer’s guide explains why), that is a real cost of ownership to bake into your budget.

And here is the part vintage buyers should underline. A 5513 or 1680 Submariner falls in the $1,650 vintage tier, since neither reference appears on the Geneva only list. Those early Submariners on that list, like the 6538, jump to $5,500. Before you send any four digit watch in, think hard about original parts. Rolex says dial and hands work is not part of the vintage service, but any part replaced on a vintage piece can change how collectors value it. I break down that whole debate in an upcoming guide to original vs service parts on vintage Rolex, and the 5513 vs 1680 comparison (publishing November 10) covers what to check on those two.

One number to double check

Gear Patrol’s October 29 story put the cheapest modern service at $550. When I loaded Rolex’s US page on November 3, that same tier read $660. I am going with Rolex’s own page, but this is exactly why you should pull up the live list on the day you book, because Rolex can change it. Prices also differ by country. Montenapo Daily, quoting the UK version of the page, listed a starting price of about £550 for modern time only models (Montenapo Daily).

Why this matters beyond the counter

Published prices change how you shop for a used Rolex. When a seller tells you a five digit Sub “just needs a service,” you now know the floor is $1,210 at Rolex before any parts or case work. That is real money to knock off an offer, and it is a number you can show the seller from Rolex’s own site. Service history paperwork matters even more now, too, because a recent Rolex service has a clear dollar value attached.

Pricing a five digit? See current Rolex Submariner 16610 listings on eBay or current GMT Master II 16710 listings.

When you compare listings, use eBay sold listings instead of asking prices, and note whether each watch shows a recent service. Sold prices tell you the market. Asking prices tell you hope.

FAQ

How much does a Rolex service cost? On Rolex’s US page as of November 3, 2026, a complete service runs $660 to $940 for six digit models, $990 to $1,430 for five digit models, and $1,650 to $8,810 for four digit vintage models (Rolex).

Does the price include polishing? No. Polishing and satin finishing is optional at $170 for modern and classic models and $330 for vintage.

Can Rolex refuse to service a vintage watch? Yes. Rolex says it may refuse a complete overhaul depending on condition and offer a Restoration estimate instead.

Where can I get a Rolex serviced? Rolex says every Official Rolex Retailer and Rolex affiliate can receive a watch for servicing, and estimates for modern and classic models are free.

Casio CMK-100: a titanium automatic with sapphire, from $320

This is the one that matters most for most of us. Casio America announced the CMK-100 series on October 29, 2026, and the US prices are wild for what you get: $320 on a black nylon strap (CMK100TC-1A), $350 on grey nylon (CMK100TCC-8A), $350 on black Italian leather (CMK100TL-1A), $375 on brown leather (CMK100TCL-5A), and $440 on a titanium bracelet (CMK100TD-1A). Casio says the series arrives in November at select retailers, gshock.casio.com, and the G-SHOCK Soho Store (Casio America via PR Newswire).

The spec sheet reads like a watch twice the price. Monochrome lists a 38mm titanium case, 11.4mm thick and 44.7mm lug to lug, with a titanium carbide coating for scratch resistance, a sapphire crystal, a screw down crown and caseback, and 100 meters of water resistance. The movement runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour with 21 jewels and about 42 hours of power reserve, with a stated rate of minus 20 to plus 40 seconds a day. The full titanium version weighs 98 grams (Monochrome).

One thing to know: Casio only calls the movement a Made in Japan automatic (Casio via PR Newswire). Monochrome believes it is a Miyota 8215, but Casio has not confirmed the base calibre, so treat that as an educated guess. Gear Patrol called it Casio’s first mainline automatic, following the Edifice EFK-100 from last year (Gear Patrol).

My take? Titanium, sapphire, screw down crown and 100 meters for $320 is a serious shot at the entry level automatic crowd. The design leans hard on classic field watch cues, and Monochrome openly compared it to a Tudor Ranger. If you want a first automatic with a little more polish and a Swiss movement, my Tissot PRX buyer’s guide (publishing November 4) is the comparison to read first.

Omega quietly retires the Speedmaster X-33

No press release, no farewell. Fratello reported on November 3 that the Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer has been removed from Omega’s catalog, following the earlier exit of the third generation X-33 Skywalker (Fratello). I checked Omega’s own US page for the Marstimer, ref. 318.90.45.79.01.003, and it now reads “Sorry, but this watch is no longer available” (Omega).

Quick refresher on what just left the catalog. Omega’s page lists a 45mm titanium case, 14.89mm thick and 48.5mm lug to lug, the quartz calibre 5622, and 30 meters of water resistance. The Marstimer was developed with European Space Agency engineers and can show solar time on Earth and Mars. Fratello notes it debuted in 2022, which makes it a short run.

Is the X-33 dead? Not exactly. According to Fratello, Omega still makes X-33 watches on demand for NASA and ESA, and NASA issues the X-33 Gen 2 to its astronauts. Fratello also says this leaves Omega with no digital Speedmaster in its catalog, with the Seamaster Regatta as its only digital watch. Whether a fourth generation is coming is pure speculation right now. Fratello’s Robert-Jan Broer says he hopes for one, and nothing from Omega confirms it.

Discontinued watches tend to get collector attention, so if one is on your list, judge the market by what actually sold, not what sellers are asking. Check eBay sold listings for the X-33 before you make an offer.

Shopping for one? See current Omega Speedmaster X-33 listings on eBay or current X-33 Marstimer listings.

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date goes oxblood

Oris added an oxblood red dial to the modern Big Crown Pointer Date, and it might be the best fall color in steel this year. Per Fratello’s November 3 launch story, it is ref. 01 754 7798 4038-07 8 20 06: a 40mm steel case, 47.5mm lug to lug and 12mm thick, a double domed sapphire crystal, 50 meters of water resistance, and the Sellita based Oris 754 automatic with about 41 hours of power reserve, on an H link steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp. Price is US$2,400 (€2,000, £1,750), available now (Fratello).

This is the modern take that started as the 2021 Hölstein Edition, with 12 lumed applied Arabic numerals and an arrow tipped date hand instead of the old crescent. Fratello’s reviewer admits he still prefers the classic crescent pointer. I get it, but that dial color does a lot of talking.

Want to compare? See current Oris Big Crown Pointer Date listings on eBay.

Audemars Piguet: three new Supersonneries, including a titanium Royal Oak

At the very top of the market, AP unveiled three minute repeaters using its Supersonnerie system, which SJX describes as gongs attached to a titanium soundboard with a special case architecture to boost volume (SJX).

• Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie in titanium, ref. 26591TI.OO.1252TI.08 (Audemars Piguet). 42mm by 14mm, a smoked green sunburst dial, titanium bracelet, limited to 50 pieces per SJX.
• Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie in 18k pink gold, ref. 26591OR.OO.1252OR.01. SJX says it is the first pink gold version, with a brown Grande Tapisserie dial.
• Code 11.59 Minute Repeater Supersonnerie in 18k white gold, ref. 26395BC.OO.D009CR.01. 41mm by 13.6mm with a smoked sapphire dial that shows the striking works.

All three use the manually wound calibre 2953 at 3Hz with 72 hours of power reserve, and SJX notes 20 meters of water resistance, which is rare for a chiming watch. SJX lists pricing as upon request, sold through AP Houses and boutiques. This is dream territory, not shopping territory, but a titanium Royal Oak that chimes is the kind of flex that defines a brand.

What I’m watching next

Casio’s CMK-100 is supposed to hit US shelves this month, so expect hands on reviews and the first real world accuracy reports soon. Meanwhile, Rolex owners got their own big news this week: Rolex published its official service prices for the first time. And if you are a GMT fan, my GMT Master II 16710 buyer’s guide is live, with affordable GMT alternatives under $1,000 coming November 5.

Here is what I check, in the order I check it.

The basics, so we are speaking the same language

Rolex built the 16710 from 1989 into a 2007 and 2008 transition, when the ceramic 116710LN took over (Bob’s Watches, BezelBase). It has a 40mm Oyster case, 20mm lugs, 100m water resistance, a sapphire crystal, and a bidirectional 24 hour bezel with 120 clicks.

The headline feature is the movement. Calibre 3185 lets you jump the local hour hand on its own in one hour steps while the 24 hour hand keeps home time. That matters because Rolex sold the cheaper GMT Master 16700 alongside it from roughly 1988 to 1999, and that watch used calibre 3175, which cannot jump the hour hand independently (The Watch Build). They look nearly identical. Read the dial. The “II” is not decoration.

Coke, Pepsi, or black

The 16710 came with three factory inserts: red and blue (Pepsi), red and black (Coke), and all black. Because the insert is a simple swap, the bezel on any given watch tells you almost nothing about how it left the factory, and a seller can turn a black bezel watch into a Pepsi in about two minutes.

That is the practical point. Buy the watch, not the insert. Price the case, dial, hands, movement, and bracelet first. Then decide which insert you want. Original faded inserts with even, honest wear can carry a premium. A perfectly crisp insert on a watch that otherwise looks 25 years old is often a replacement, which is fine if you are paying for a replacement.

The Coke is my pick because the black half reads cleanly at a glance and the red is a little less loud than Pepsi on the wrist. That is taste, not investment advice. If you love the look but not the price, I rounded up the affordable Rolex GMT alternatives under $1,000 (publishing November 5).

Dating a 16710 by its dial

Rolex did not announce model years, but the dial text at 6 o’clock gives you the era. Most sources agree on this sequence, with some disagreement about the exact switchover dates (Bob’s Watches, The Watch Build):

Tritium dials and hands age. The plots go cream, ivory, or a darker yellow, and many buyers pay for that look. The catch is that the hands should age in step with the dial. A cream dial paired with bright white hands usually means the hands were replaced at service. Again, not a crime. Just pay for what it is.

Watch for a “SWISS” only dial on an early serial watch. Rolex fitted Luminova dials as service replacements, so a 1991 case with a “SWISS” dial has likely had a dial swap.

Case and bracelet changes worth knowing

A few running changes help you confirm that the parts agree with each other.

• Lug holes. Early cases have drilled holes through the lugs. Rolex dropped them around 2003, and collectors sometimes call the no holes version the “16710T,” although that is not an official reference (BezelBase).
• End links. Hollow end links appear on earlier bracelets. Solid end links arrive around 2000.
• Bracelet type. You will see Oyster bracelets such as the 78360 and 78790, and Jubilee bracelets such as the 62510 (Bob’s Watches). Check the clasp code and the end link numbers, then check that they make sense for the serial.

None of these is a pass or fail test on its own, because bracelets get swapped and serviced. Taken together they tell you whether the watch is consistent or assembled.

Calibre 3185 vs 3186

Almost every 16710 has calibre 3185: 31 jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour, hacking seconds, and the independent hour hand. At the very end of production, on some late Z and M serial watches, Rolex fitted calibre 3186. The main change is the blue Parachrom hairspring, which resists shocks and magnetism better (BezelBase, The Gentleman’s Reference).

Does a 3186 make the watch better to own? Marginally. Does it make the watch more collectible? Yes, because relatively few exist. That creates an incentive for sellers to claim a 3186 they cannot show you. If the listing says 3186, ask for a clear movement photo or have a watchmaker open it before money moves. A late serial alone does not prove it.

The stick dial

Late in production some dials printed the “II” in GMT Master II as two plain strokes instead of serifed Roman numerals. Collectors call these stick dials. Two myths travel with them, and both are wrong:

1. Every stick dial has a 3186. No. Stick dials turn up on late 3185 watches too (WatchProSite).
2. It is a factory error. No. It is a typeface change, not an error dial.

One estimate based on several hundred listings puts stick dials at roughly 5 to 7 percent of 16710 supply (The Watch Build). Also note that stick dials were fitted as service replacements, according to Luxury Bazaar as cited by The Gentleman’s Reference. So a stick dial on an early serial watch is a service dial, and it should not carry the late production premium.

To check one, put a loupe on the “II.” Little feet at the top and bottom mean a standard dial. Bare strokes mean a stick dial.

Fakes and frankens

Modern replicas of the 16710 are good enough that photos are not proof. Focus on things that are hard to fake together:

• Serial and reference engravings between the lugs should be crisp and finely cut, not shallow or sandy. The serial is between the lugs at 6, the reference at 12.
• Cyclops magnification over the date should be strong, about two and a half times on a genuine Rolex. Weak magnification is a classic tell.
• Bezel action should be crisp with 120 clicks in both directions on this reference.
• Movement. Nothing replaces a watchmaker opening the case. Insist on it for any purchase that is not from a dealer with a strong return policy.

A “franken” is a real watch built from mismatched genuine parts. These are more common than outright fakes in this price bracket, and they are the reason the dial, hands, bezel, and bracelet checks above matter.

Where to look, and how to price it

I check three places: dealer listings on Chrono24 to see what is out there, eBay sold listings for 16710 to see what actually traded in the last 90 days, and public auction results. Asking prices tell you what sellers hope for. Sold prices tell you the market. I am not quoting a number here because a price without a fresh date is worse than no price at all. Pull your own comps on the day you buy, matched for dial era, bracelet, and box and papers.

Shopping for one? See current Rolex GMT Master II 16710 listings on eBay or current 16710 stick dial listings.

A good 10x triplet loupe pays for itself the first time you read a dial up close. And since this is a travel watch, a padded watch travel case keeps it from knocking around in a carry on.