Casio watches have a colorful history in the technology space. A Japanese electronic powerhouse, Casio makes their presence known in our daily lives through calculators, musical instruments, and most popularly, wrist watches.
Growth Fueled by Innovation
Established in 1946 by Tadio Kashio, he first enhanced life by creating a yubiwa pipe (right), which is a ring that would hold a cigarette while keeping your hands free.
The profits from the yubiwa pipe were then invested to develop calculator devices and differentiated from the competition by creating a calculator using solenoids. Early calculators were powered using gears and in 1954, Japan saw the first electro-mechanical calculator.
The Casio 14-A calculator (left) was the first calculator that adopted the ten-key number pad. This simple change affected life for the better and for the innovations that succeeded after it. Thinking about every device that uses the ten-key number pad and imagine life without it!
It’s Time to Make an Impact
At the heart of Tokyo’s fashion region, they are at the forefront of changing the digital watch landscape, as highlighted by my article on one of their top lines: the G-Shock.
Casio was the earliest manufacture of quartz watches, which we know provides accuracy and dependability that early, mechanical counterparts cannot replicate or duplicate.
Their impact on the wristwatch market started in 1974, with the release of CASIOTRON (right), which featured hours, minutes, seconds, and “a unique function that could automatically determine the number of days in a month” .
That last part may sound mundane to you now, but this was a game changer in the 70’s.
In the early 80’s, The G-Shock watch was born and the Casio Databank Telememo 10 CD-40 (left), which is a wristwatch that also acts as your pocket Rolodex, meant to store telephone numbers. This eliminated the need to bring a physical organizer, that were quite cumbersome especially when you need to bring a pen or a pencil with you.
The innovations brought by Casio are cornerstones of what makes our smartphones a necessity in life: it’s our timekeeper, calendar, personal organizer, and many more. Modern technology would be very different if companies like Casio didn’t take the chance and create innovative products like the CASIOTRON or the CD-40.
Casio continues to innovate in the wristwatch market and increasing their presence within multiple lines
To celebrate the technological marvel and the human ingenuity, here are six watches that embraces Casio’s focus on technological advancement:
As part of the G-Steel lineup of G-Shock watches, the GSTS310D-1A provides you the versatility and durability of a G-Shock that we all know very well, but in a more formal package. Utilizing a stainless steel bezel and case, you still get the basic offerings of a G-SHOCK such as 200M water resistance, shock resistance, LED illumination, world timer, stopwatch, etc.
I picked this watch because G-Shock watches are great for the features they offer but they’re primarily packaged in silicon casing, which is limited to how and where you can wear it. With the G-Steel lineup, you can get the best of both worlds: having a functional multi-purpose tool in a fancy package that you can wear to a fancy dinner after a lengthy session rock climbing.
If you are the tech geek that requires constant connectivity in your active lifestyle, The PRO TREK WSD-F20 smartwatch. Focused on outdoor enthusiasts, the WSD-F20 has Casio’s Triple Sensor Version 3 Technology, which features:
- Compass Readings
- Altimeter/Barometer pressure sensors
- Thermometer sensor
Connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth via your Android or iPhone, you can take full advantage of the GPS compatibility, sync color maps for visibility, enjoy the various apps available which includes the sensor readings listed earlier, plus tide graphs, etc. and browse through various functions via the touchscreen. It has 50 meters water resistance.
It’s a great multi-purpose tool to have in your repertoire if you are the modern mountaineer that embraces technology and advancement.
Part of the Edifice line, the EQB600D-1A2 is modern, dressy watch that keeps you connected
Not as feature-rich as the WSD-F20, the Edifice watch has their own tricks such as syncing with the CASIO WATCH+ app on your smartphone to set alarm times, ping your phone if it’s lost, world timer, and the app will have access to server data which will provide the end-user accuracy anytime, anywhere. It’s also solar powered, which will help keep it running no matter where you are. It has a full calendar, dual timezone, power saver functionality, and 100M water resistance.
The biggest party trick that attracted me to this watch is the 3D globe dial located at 3’clock of the watch face. Representing “the flow of time in concert with the movement of the earth”, it adds a subtle touch of individuality in an already great timepiece.
Similar to the EQB600D-1A2 we read earlier, the EQB501XD-1A is part of the Edifice line and offers the same functionality but now there’s a chronograph function added as well. It’s also more accurate as it connects to a time server four times a day to provide accurate time for the dual-timezone display.
This is a personal favorite of mine as I’ve always had an attraction to chronographs, and the red accents speak more to me. It reminds me of speedometers in a race car and has a very sporty look, while still being sophisticated.
A classic Casio watch design, the AE1200WHD-1A has the James Bond vibe, with the world map highlighted on the watch face. It has great functionality you expect from Casio, such as:
- 100M water resistance
- LED lighting
- World time
- Countdown timer
- 5 Alarms
- 10 Year Battery
Housed in a plastic case with a stainless steel caseback and bracelet, it’s great for swimming or when trying to enjoying life with Octopussy.
It’s very different from the other Casio watches available today, and it just sings to me.
If you really want to embrace your inner geek, get yourself a staple in the Casio watch lineup: The Casio calculator wristwatch. There are variations of this particular watch, but the CA506B-1AVT, has a modern twist on what is a very historical timepiece.
With an 8-digit calculator and a stopwatch, it sports an adjustable metal band which will provide you the time you need while you try and figure out who pays a $125 meal between 4 friends, with one friend who wants to only tip based what he ate, even though he ate some of your linguine.
It has a clean design, reminiscent of the G-Shock lineup, and will make you a hit in your Intro to Calculus class in university. Let me derive your curves, indeed.
I wish you guys had Casio listed on your brand list. Since you all are about affordable watches, I can’t believe Casio isn’t on the list. They’re the KING of affordable watches!
It is on our list with the best affordable watch brands: https://watchesyoucanafford.com/best-affordable-watch-brands/