I have one of the Timex Datalink Ironman Triathalon watch's you speak of. Had it for 6 years now. Battery has never died, screen never cracked, I almost never take it off, including when swimming. I don't use the datalink anymore because it requires the use of an external IR module for my computer to work on anything other than win98+ But it's in great working condition and actually has been used as my alarm clock for the entire time i've owned it.