A Tale of Two Casios

Although I usually focus my posts on quality mechanical watches, I thought it would be fun to write something honest and substantial about low-cost quartz watches and give them the same review treatment.

“Nostalgia. It’s delicate, but potent.” S1, E13, MadMen

Recently I went on a short vacation. The plan was to disconnect from work and such at a hotel/waterpark. The last time I went on a trip knowing water would be involved, I took my Halios Seaforth II, a true diving watch. But, if I was going to be going down water slides and cruising around a mild (as opposed to lazy) river, a lower-cost watch was in order.

This opportunity made me realize that my watch collection contains a few “daily” semi-expensive watches, but not any low-cost “beater” watches. Instantly, I felt a twinge of my youth. I could go to the shopping center and buy a cheap quartz watch that I would not have to worry about should it get damaged or leak under water.

I am used to thinking deeply about watch purchases because I care about the make, components, complications, style, and service. But in that moment I felt free. I did not have to care so much. I knew I was going to buy something that would not break the bank. I knew it would be something reminiscent of watches from my childhood.

When I see a watch I really want and make the mental decision to purchase, I get excited. This decision made me downright giddy. For someone who usually spends hundreds or thousands on a watch, the notion of spending tens gave me some unique neural feedback. Something that helps with any watch purchase I make is that I understand exactly what I am buying and what it is worth. But aside from that, a sense of fun overtook me.

Knowing I would be looking at Casio watches with the intent to buy, I felt like a kid on a ride in the back of my grandpa’s beater farm truck on a trip to the candy store. My brain relaxed concerning watches, a break from critical thought. The nostalgia and sentimental experiences flooded my mind as I walked to through the mall. What a great feeling!

A low-cost watch

When you walk into a store to buy a Casio, chances are you are not going to overpay (or overpay much). Sure you might be able to find the watch for a few bucks cheaper here or there or online, but in the price bracket of $30 or less…it is not a major concern. I am much more concerned about the fashion watch trend of paying a high price for a watch that is comprised of materials that collectively are worth much much less than the sticker price.

More often than not, the term “cheap” suggests the thing is deserving of contempt. To me, fashion watches are cheap watches, something of inferior quality touted as the opposite. If all someone means “cheap” to be is low-cost, then a Casio is a cheap watch. However, I prefer to say “low-cost” because a Casio is not pretending. What you see is what you get: a $10, $20, $30 watch.

The watch…I mean watches

I intended to buy one watch, something digital, as everything else I have is analog and thought it would be good for quickly glancing at the time when doing things like yard work post-vacation. When I think of my childhood watches, I think of a digital Casio with a light. So, as I walked into the mall I already had something in mind. But at about $20, why limit the options? I perused the circular tables in the isles of three different stores.

Perhaps I could have found something slightly lower-cost online, but I needed to pick up something that day since I was leaving the following day. A brand choice like Casio meant I could check prices at three stores in the same mall, each store having slightly different models/color combinations for about the same price. And most important, going the brick and mortar route meant getting to see the watches prior to purchase.

I found a variant of the backlit digital Casio that struck my fancy. I wanted a watch with a black plastic case and a black rubber strap and found it in the Casio F-105. At first, the “Illuminator” was the only watch I was going to buy, but then a diving watch caught my eye, something that could better handle water. A Casio MRW-200H sat on the shelf and with a slew of features begged to be worn to the waterpark. I proudly walked over to the jewelry counter, told the salesclerk I would like to make a purchase, placed the two Casios on the counter, paid, and strolled out of the store with a smile on my face and a skip in my step.

They were on sale so I only paid about $20 each

Details, Details

Model: Casio F-105 Length: 36.15mm (37.5mm w/buttons) Width: 39mm (lug-to-lug) Height: 9.65mm Weight: ~21g Case: Resin, black Strap: Resin (synthetic), black Movement: Casio 3298 Battery: Panasonic CR2016 Battery Life: ~7 years Jewels: None (0) Light: Electro-luminescent panel Accuracy: +-30 seconds/month Crystal: Acrylic glass Water Resistance: ISO 22810 (minor splashing) Price: ~$20

Model: Casio MRW-200H (specifically the MRW-200H-2B2V) Diameter: 43.27mm (45.5mm w/crown) Lug-to-lug: 47.77mm Height: 11.72mm Weight: ~39g Case and Bezel: Resin, black Strap: Resin (synthetic), black Movement: Casio 5125 (Miyota 2305) Battery: SR626SW Battery Life: ~3 years Jewels: None (0) Lume: Unknown type (used on hour, min, sec hands) Accuracy: +-20 seconds/month Crystal: Resin (aka acrylic) glass Water Resistance: 100m/300ft Price: ~$20

Tale 1: The Casio MRW-200H

The MRW-200H came as a total surprise to me. For the small price of about $20 in my case (30% off), it is packed with character and function. Apparently this watch comes in quite a few color combinations. One of the colors in the store was the blue dial with white hands and markers. A few others were also available, but I really liked the look of this one and after seeing all the others online after the fact. The blue is easily my favorite. It screams WATER.

With many Casios being digital, this is touted as “3-Hand Analog” on the box and on the Analog manual as one of 25 modules, this being the 5125 (first in the list).

The dial is a deep blue tone with printed white numerals and markers. Again, for the cost, this dial is packed with character and detail. Four different fonts are used on the dial, not counting the day/date wheels, and it works. The 12-hour track is large and legible with a simple bold font with a lot of curve appeal. A smaller 24-hour track in a more standard font that matches the “Water Resist 100m.” Of course the CASIO logo in its own font and then “QUARTZ” in all caps in a different font. Each stands out in its own way and they work together. I also like how the day/date window is framed in white.

I found a couple surprises when I picked up the watch and started interacting with it. First, I did not expect the bezel to actually rotate. Many watches in this price range have fake bezels, that is, they do not rotate. I submit Exhibits A (Geneva) and B (Ralph Lauren) from the same store shelf.

Exhibit A – Geneva

Exhibit B – Ralph LaurenSecond, it has both English and French for the day, with Sunday in red! Though most parts and the casing is done in China, the movement is Japanese, specifically the Miyota 2305 [http://miyotamovement.com/product/basic3.html] If you happen to be setting one of these, the date flips at 12am, the day at 2am, and the day again at 4am (for the language).

The watch is not tall for a plastic diver at 11.72mm and looks great on a bare arm. It is shorter than many many steel divers (how many actually get used in water anyway), though most higher-end diving watches are automatic as opposed to quartz. Still, it wears very comfortably due to the dimensions and resin strap.

Another feature of this low-cost analog watch…the hands are lumed. It may not be the best lume, but it works. The seconds hand even has a triangle tip that adds to the fun. After some testing, it fades quickly and is gone after about 10-15 minutes, but hey…some is better than none?

“CASIO” is debossed into the buckle and the reminder of “CHINA” on the reverse. With a mass-production watch such as this, plenty of slots exist on the strap to fit plenty of wrists.

The strap is comfortable and the watch is extremely lightweight at 39g (certainly the lightest water resistant watch in my collection). If I could stop staring at it I would not know it was on the wrist.

So how has it held up in the water? I took it on a 3-day extravaganza to a waterpark. It was flawless. Seriously. I have zero complaints. The CASIO MRW-200H kept good time, no leaking, sheds water instantly and looks good doing it! It floated down the river, endured water slides, swimming, water basketball, you name it, many times over. I wore it for three solid days and I enjoyed it in ways I have not with other watches.

Water instantly beads off this watch.

Extremely legible in the water.

Comfortable fit in and out of the water.Sure, eventually it will get some scratches, show signs of wear, and need repair or fixing. But after some time, it almost looks better after the fact. Water is cleansing. This watch does just fine. I am perfectly happy with the Casio MRW-200H being in my watch box.

After three days of wear.

Looking good as new.

Tale 2: The Casio F-105

Ah, childhood. This was the watch. Let’s run through the features, the watch face says everything: CASIO, Alarm, Chronograph (stopwatch), electro-luminescent backlight, 12-24 hour modes, water resistant (somewhat), day/date. For about $20, yes please. Which button performs what function is cleverly indicated on the watch face.

The Casio F-105 is classic, the F-series having been manufactured since 1978 and the F-105 since 1999. The “Illuminator” sends an electric signal through the panel to give a blue glow that lights up the display in nighttime conditions. Ultra-lightweight at 21g, under 10mm height, synthetic rubber strap, battery life of up to seven years, am I wearing a watch?

I am still trying to figure out what the “U” means (bottom, center), as it appears in some models and not others. Regardless, this watch screams retro and oozes nostalgia. For the price, “Why would you deny yourself something you want?” – S2, E11, MadMen. As you can see I am using a nostalgic show to discus a nostalgic watch. Different than the MRW-200H, which is a “JAPAN MOV’T…CASED IN CHINA,” the F-105 says “MADE IN THAILAND.” Casio dubs the module 3298 and is their own.

With both movements being quartz, it is interesting that the MRW-200H specification indicates +-20 seconds/month, while the F-105 specification indicates +-30 seconds/month. Both are quite accurate, but for me it opens up an inquiry into analog versus digital quartz. Perhaps more on this in the future.

As with the first tale, the buckle is stamped with “CASIO” and “CHINA.”

The F-105-3298 sits very comfortably on the wrist, being quite small and light, and is great for wearing while doing work around the house/yard. Compared to everything else I have, the F-105 is tiny…and rectangular. It is not meant to get very wet, a splash here or there, so be cautious. Still, it is a slice of history and my youth. Therefore, it belongs.