Casio B640W Retro Style LCD

Today's watch is a modern watch in a retro style. Casio is known for their destinctive LCD watches and this is one of their recent versions.

Thw watch is the B640W, or B640WB-1B to give it it's full title. This version has a black resin case and black ion plated strap, as well as an inverse LCD display (as opposed to the -1A version which has the more 'normal' black on white display).

The watch has a 2394 module with a stopwatch and countdown timer features, as well as an alarm and hourly chime option (and it is possible to get the amber backlight to flash when the alarm sounds).

Being a modern version, the calendar is set to run to 2039, and should last 2-3 years on the CR2016 battery. 

Casio Shadow SHW-100

As I find more and more watches, it has become apparent that the Casio brand has produced so many different lines/ranges of watches, and that many of them were so obscure that their history is a mystery.

Today's watch is a Casio model from a range called Shadow. I've not been able to find anything about the range itself though, as the only other models I find online are purely watches for sale. What i know is that there were several (at least 3) different models in the Shadow range, and all of them had a dial as the primary time display.

This model is a 3 hand dial design with a Casio 1307 quartz module. The styling is very industrial with lots of exposed bolts (for cosmetic effect) and protruding plastic 'grills'. It is an Illuminator model, which suggests a market outside of Japan as those are normally called Foxfire. When pressing the light, the word Shadow appears right across the dial, written in a very stylized font. The dial also has the Shadow name written normally near the bottom along with the Illuminator name and that it is 10 bar water resistant (with the use of bar maybe suggesting an American market). The back has the same information, as well as saying it has a Korean module and was cased in Malaysia.

From what I've read, the Korean models began in the 80s, and the Malaysian Casio's more recently again, so the only thing I can find about the date is that it is likely from the 90s at the earliest, but is not a current range.

Casio Baby-G BG-2000

It seems like it's been a while since I last wore a Casio G-Shock or Baby-G, so I've decided to sort that out today.

The watch I chose is one of the Baby-G line which a set of smaller G-Shock models and are primarily aimed at women, but are suitable for anyone (especially if you have a smaller size wrist).

This model is the BG-2000 and is one of the square case designs that has been a theme across many different models. This model has a green inverse mirrored LCD display which mainly uses a dot matrix for showing the different information. The display is split into 3 parts by two printed lines running across the screen. The middle part shows the time, with has a small animation as the numbers change, and has the strange feature in that for the middle part of the minute, the time display grows and then shrinks (by 2 pixels in height). The bottom line of the display has the most information by default, with a long thin dot matrix array showing day, date, and seconds. The top section mainly has icons to show items such as am/pm, alarm settings, etc. along with 4 dots which pulse with the seconds.

Inside is a 3077 module which powers the watch. This gives the watch many modes, which are world time (29 zones with 44 cities), alarm (x5), stopwatch, timer, and a silent mode where the display is blank.

The watch features a chunky white plastic case with a square silver bezel. The strap is designed to look seamless with the case, but is replaceable (although you would need the specific strap which matches this model). Overall, the case gives a 10 bar water resistance, and this model is made in China.

This design is still shown on the Casio website, but not in this colour. For one a black model, I also saw that it was first listed on Amazon in 2007, so I assume that this white version is from the same time.

Casio Vivcel VCL-101 Trans Biosis

For today's watch, I'm wearing an old Casio model with an unusual, but currently obsolete, additional function.

The watch is from a range of Casio watches called Vivcel. The Vivcel name is moulded at the bottom of the case and is recognizable in the model number starting VCL-. The Vivcel watches were released in 1998 and were designed to complement your mobile phone, showing when it was ringing. It worked on the same style as the keyring phone notification attachments which were popular in the 90s. From my limited understanding, the antenna inside picked up the signal of a nearby phone registering a call (similar to how mobile phones used to interfere with speakers when sat next to them). Once it registered these signals, it gave a signal to the wearer that the phone was ringing, including a vibration option. The downside of this technology is that it didn't connect to a single phone so as mobile phones became more popular, it would inform you if any phone was ringing within range (which could be set between normal and low sensitivity (50cm)). The system also only worked on a single band, and hence stopped being functional as more bands and especially 3G came to prominence.

This particular model is called the VCL-101, and has special text on the strap saying "trans biosis" as well as an equation. I don't know if the text was normal for the VCL-101 or a special edition as the model doesn't seem very common (but many of the one I've seen do have the text). This model was one of the 2nd generation Vivcel as it is classed as an 800MHz Analogue/Digital model which I understand to mean it could pick up two types of signal for the phone calls.

It has a multi-part LCD display with a main row of digits for time, a smaller date above, and a dot matrix display at the top. The dot matrix has a section for the day, as well as a rectangular section where it shows small animations. The animation is mainly a woodpecker (which keeps losing its beak), but has a different animal for the first 10 seconds of each minute (including a bat, a weasel?, an armadillo, a monkey, a kangaroo, and an elephant). I did also manage to swap the woodpecker for a sealion with a ball instead, and it appears that if the woodpecker isn't moving, then that means the signal receiving has been switched off. There is also a small icon in the corner to show mobile phone signal strength.

Inside is a Casio 1974 module (which has often been mistaken for the date on internet posts), which gives a few extra modes, each accompanied by a different animation. The modes are world time (globe and aeroplane), alarm (penguin), timer (no idea...), and stopwatch (lizard). I've also seen a monkey animation when the vibration is going off. There is also an el-backlight which I think reveals a picture of a spaceship, but is difficult to see as the light isn't working properly. The back has the model and module number, and that it is made in Japan, as well as a picture of a robotic looking shark.

Casio W-E10

Considering how many Casio watches are in my collection (-this is the 162nd on the blog), it feels like I don't wear them that often.

This model is the W-E10 (but sometimes written online as WE-10 or WE10)  by Casio, and it has a slightly different feel than many of the Casio watches I own.

The W-E10 is a large digit LCD watch with a rounded LCD panel. The display has 3 lines, but is dominated by the time display which takes up around half of the height. The other lines have smaller digits and cover day and date (top), and seconds (bottom). Inside is a Casio 2470 module which gives the watch time, alarm, and stopwatch functions. It is also an Illuminator model with an el-backlight.

The design for the W-E10 is very light, and has tapered edges which give it a very slim feeling on your wrist. The case is plastic with a steel back which has 5 bar water resistance, and the strap feels like it's made of the common flexible plastic which is common on Casio watches.

My searches have found that this had an original rrp of £24.99, but it isn't for sale anymore. The design looks relatively new, and this along with the watch's condition suggest to me it's likely from the 2000s.

Casio W-220 Alarm Chronograph

Today's watch is another of the many designs of Casio LCD watch.

This model is the W-220, and is the 3rd of the Casio W series that I've blogged. It is an LCD model housed in a rounded resin case with the shape and design being continued into the resin strap.

The LCD has two lines of digits covering the day and date along the top and time (6 digits) below. Above the time, in the top left corner, is a round LCD window with 10 segments that fill and empty with the seconds. To the right of that are 3 indicator mark for the alarm, chime, and split function on the stopwatch. Apart from the stopwatch, this watch also has alarm and dual time modes, all powered by the Casio 2963 module.

From what I've seen, it appears that this design (or similar) has been around for a while, and is still shown on the Casio website (with a full model number of W-210-1BEVS).

Casio SA-54 slim digital watch

Today I'm back to another of my vintage Casio LCD watches.

This model is the SA-54 and is the second of the SA- watches I've blogged (-the first being in June 2014). The SA watches seem to have first appeared in 1984, and I've seen quotes that this SA-54 model was released in that year. The SA- watches seem to share a slim design as a common design feature, and this SA-54 fits with that brief, being only about 4mm thick.

It has a standard 6 digit LCD panel, with smaller seconds and a narrow first digit. Inside is a Casio 145 quartz movement which is an alarm chronograph module. Overall, this gives the watch dual time, an timer modes as well as the alarm and chronograph, and these are marked just above the LCD display.

The back has the older design with the information engraved in a ring. It into has the basic information present, just saying the brand, model, movement number, and material (stainless steel back). There is also a serial number, and that this watch was made in Japan.

Casio JC-11 Jog & Walk Calorie watch

It's another of the retro Casio watches for me today, and this one is made for the sporty types.

This model is a Casio LCD watch called the Jog & Walk Calorie. It has a model number of JC-11 and seems to have come out in the late 80s or early 90s. The JC-11 is the Japanese model, with a JC-10 version being more common outside of Japan.

The watch has an unusual design, and is laid out as a 'bullhead' watch. This means that the buttons are laid out at the top left and right of the case, so are like the horns of a bull, which is like the button placement on a handheld digital stopwatch. Strangely, these buttons are not for the stopwatch start and stop, as those are on the front of the watch below the LCD. This model has a round case (which is not so common) made of resin, and is 5 bar water resistant.

Inside is a Casio 880 module which runs the 2 line LCD display. The main (bottom) line covers the time in 6 digits, while the top line has the day and date. Inbetween the two lines is an area where the different modes are shown to highlight what setting is active. In the top right of the LCD is a small dot matrix array with a picture of a running man, who runs or walks depending on the mode. For modes, this watch has a stopwatch, pace, and alarm mode. From the stopwatch, it also has the option to measure your calorie usage, but you need to set up the watch to your own settings before it will work. To get the calories, you input your weight, age, and stride length, set your pace (which is marked by beeps), and say whether you are walking or running, and the watch then calculates the calories consumed.

Casio Waveceptor WVA-104H

Today's watch is back to the higher tech watches with a model from Casio.

This watch is the WVA-104H by Casio. It is an ana-digi design from the Waveceptor line of watches and is a multi-band radio controlled watch. It has a 2 hand electronic dial which is fully integrated into the LCD controls. The LCD sits at the bottom of the face and is of a 2 line design, having standard digits along the top and a dot matrix along the bottom.

The watch runs with a 2736 module and has a variety of modes. The functions are world time, alarms (x3 + a couple I couldn't work out), data bank (with time stamp), stopwatch, and dual time.

The design is a curvy blend of silver and black, with a slightly futuristic feel. There is a resin strap which blends into the design of the case.

It doesn't seem to be sold anymore, with most of the web hits relating to where to find the manual or for buying a replacement strap. Based on forum posts, the watch was for sale in 2007, so it's likely that it was an early 00s release.

Casiotron S-18

I'm back to the vintage digital watches for today's model.

This watch is the Casiotron S-18 from Casio. The Casiotron range were the first main line of Casio LCD watches which were released in the 1970s. The S-18 was released in 1976 which seems to be one of the popular years for new Casiotron watches.

The design has a more squared look than many of the models around this time. The face is a rectangle with the corners cut off in a stainless steel case. It has a 3 1/2 digit LCD display in the face (just lower than the centre), with squares showing the numbers 0-6 above. The number squares are used to show the seconds (5 seconds solid and 5 seconds flashing before the next box appears), and also the day during the date display. As well as time and date, this model has a stopwatch with 'time memory' or a lap time. Inside is a QW19 (or just 19) module which may have only appeared in the S-18.

Casio Ana-Digi AW-61

It seems like a while since I last wore one of my Casio ana-digi watches, so here is one.

This watch is the AW-61 and is a complex looking mixture of analogue dial and LCD. Previously, I'd suggested that the AW-XX numbering was marked a series of Ana-Digi models, and today's watch still fits with that theory.

The AW-61 has a bit more separation of the analogue and digital than my previously blogged AW series watches, with the LCD below the dial rather than being in the bottom of the face. The analogue part is a two hand dial design with its own crown for setting. The LCD section is a small rectangular LCD panel with two lines (which is not so normal in an ana-digi design). By default, the LCD shows day and date along the top, with time (6 digits) along the bottom, and is also used for the other modes. Inside is a 1750 module which gives the watch alarm and stopwatch modes. The analogue and digital displays have their own batteries, with the analogue using a SR521SW and the digital taking a CR1616. The watch is quite robust with 100m water resistance, and there is an el-backlight which covers both the dial and LCD.

The AW-61 came in many colour variations, as well as a choice of plastic, metal, or leather materials, and the model numbers go from -1xx to -7xx (but I've not found what this one is) . I don't know when the AW-61 is from, but it isn't sold anymore and my guess would be 90s (although the Casio watches are very difficult to date from looks alone).

Casiotron 76CS-56

Today is the turn of one of the vintage LCD models, and a variation of one I've blogged before.

This watch is one of the Casiotron watch by Casio, which were one of the first LCD watches by Casio. This model is the Casiotron 76CS-56, and seems to be a variation on the 76CGS-41 I blogged in October 2013. It has a smaller and thinner case shape than many of the early Casiotrons, and so seems to be a unisex or ladies model. As with the other 76xx model, this has a 3 1/2 digit LCD display with day markers along the top. This model also has a stopwatch function, as well as the date display.

It is a silver model with a dark grey face, but there is a gold ring around the face as well. The fine weave stainless steel strap has a part number B221L.

As this is a Casiotron, it will be from the late 70s, with these models usually being from around 76/77.

Casio Film Watch Pela FS-00

It was another watch to match with my t-shirt again today, and it is one of a series I've blogged before.

This is one of the Casio Film Watch Pela models, and the one with the lowest number (but not the first). The Film Watch models are the range of thin and super light watches Casio started in the mid-1980s.

This model is the FS-00 and is a 5mm thick rectangular LCD watch. The particular version is from the Sorbet range and is the FS-00-4A and called Chilly Lilac (although it has a more pink colour). The Sorbet range was 10 different models in pastel colours, but the models also had shorter straps than the regular models.

The FS-00 is a data bank model in the Pela range and uses the 2190 quartz module. The display is set at a 30 degree angle, which is comprised of 3 rows of dot matrix arrays. The standard display has date at the top, time (6 digits) across the middle, and day at the bottom. There is an alternative display mode where it shows animations of animals too. The animals (dog, camel, gorilla, bird, cat, and squirrel) are shown for 10 seconds each and have 2 frames in the animation. It also has world time and stopwatch, as well as the 30 slot data bank, and there is an el-backlight.

I don't know when these models were released, but I think they are 90s watches.

Casio G-Shock DW-5600VT - XLarge Ltd Edn

I've now blogged a few different XLarge (or X-Large) watches, but today's is one of the big collaborations they did.

This watch is the collaboration between XLarge and Casio to produce a limited edition G-Shock watch. The watch is a G-Shock DW-5600 design which is designated DW-5600VT. The -VT models seem to be the mark for the line of watches where Casio released the limited editions, and there have been many different designs produced over the years.

This limited edition looks to have been released around 2006 or 2007, but I don't have any information on the number of units produced. It was a Japanese market version (as it has the Foxfire name), but was officially sold in one store in the US, the XLarge store in Los Angeles. This isn't a common model, so they seem to command a high price in the second hand market. The model has the same case shape as the regular DW-5600, but has the XLarge name under the glass above the LCD. The strap is also covered by a faint pattern of leaves and flowers. The el-backlight reveals a red image of the XLarge clothing name and Ape logo. The XLarge name is also engraved in the centre of the back plate.

The DW-5600 watch is an LCD design with a 2 line LCD display. The LCD shows day and date along the top, with the 6 digit time along the bottom. The date is shown on a little box in the top left, and during the other modes, the time is shown here. Inside is a 1545 module which gives the watch time, alarm, stopwatch, and timer modes. The module start date is 1995 which shows the design has been around for a while.