Casio F-28W - a K.I.S.S watch

Today I'm wearing one of the simplest and long lasting Casio LCD watches.

The watch is the F-28W and is an LCD watch with the typical Casio look. The design came out originally in the 1980s (based on the length of time some owners say they have had one), and is still available today (for around $14). The only reported change in the design is that the watch has switched from being made in Japan to made in China, which looks to have happened in the late 90s or early 00s. My one is made in China so is a more modern version. The module inside seems to have changes as well with this model using an 1156 module while the one currently for sale has switched this to a 586 module.

It is an incredibly simple watch with no special functions. It is a little more complex than the F30 I've blogged before, but still, all of the watches available information is one the screen and you don't need to press a button to see anything (and there is no mode button). Even Casio touts the simplicity of the watch. On the Casio website for this model, it refers to it being a watch to the K.I.S.S. principle, saying sometimes simple is better.

Both of the buttons on the watch are inset and just set the watch or switch between 12 and 24 hr display. It has a 2 line LCD display with everything you need to know. The smaller top line has the day and date, while the main line has the time (with an narrow first digit and smaller seconds).

The both the case and strap are black plastic, and the strap has a part number of 151 DL1 1B.

Casio F-108WH

Today I'm wearing one of my retro looking Casio's, but it seems it's not as old as it seems.

Today's model is the Casio F-108WH which is a bright coloured LCD model. It has a two line LCD with large, clear to read digits, with the main 4 digits in the 6 digit time being larger than the others. The default display has the time and shows day and date on the line above. Inside is a 3224 module which gives is the basic alarm and stopwatch modes, but that's it.

The design looks a little like the early G-Shocks with a large square case and a robust look, but it doesn't have the protective features of that range. It is water resistant, but without specifying any amount, so likely only shower-proof. The strap is colour matched but any 18mm strap would work, and the watch was available in a range of different colours (at least blue, red, beige).

Although it looks like an old model, the watch is available now, and may not have been released until 2010. It is a very low cost model which retails new for $15-20.

Casio LCD F-91W

I thought today's watch was a normal vintage Casio, but while researching it, I found it is a controversial model.

The F-91W is a basic LCD watch which came out in 1991. Like many at the time, it has a standard 2 line LCD in a black resin case. The main line is a 6 digit time display, and there are small day and date digits on the top line. There are 3 buttons on the watch which change the mode, light the LED bulb light, or switch between 12 and 24 hr display modes. For the other modes, it has an alarm and a stopwatch. Inside is a Casio 593 module which should last for 7 years on its CR2016 module. The module and the design are the same as the A158W I've blogged before, but that one was with a metal case.

The infamy came in April 2011, when the watch appeared in the news. The Guardian newspaper reported that US Military Intelligence had identified that this model was used by al-Qaeda as the timer for bombs, and that possession of this watch was an indicator that an individual had received bomb making training in Afghanistan by al-Qaeda. I don't know why this model was singled out, but it's a worry for the legitimate owners of an F-91W like myself who've never had bomb making training or been to Afghanistan! Here is a link to a BBC article on the watch (BBC link).

Casio F-105 LCD watch

Over the years, Casio has produced many simplistic LCD watch designs, and today I'm blogging another one.

This model is the F-105, and is a resin cased LCD watch. It is an alarm chrono model and also an Illuminator, meaning it has alarm, chronograph, and el-backlight, but no other modes. It uses a 2 line LCD display with time on the larger lower line, and day and date on the small top line. All of this is powered by a 1572 module with a CR2016 battery (and a 7 year battery life).

The strap is a matching resin design with a part number of 283 EJ2 18.

Based on the specs, this looks to be a modern version rather than a true retro 80s design (battery size and the el-backlight are more modern features), and it is still mentioned on the Casio website (where it can be picked up for $22).

Casio F-200 (current version)

Today's Casio is slightly unusual. It has the same model number as one of their older watches, but is a completely different design.

This watch is the F-200 (or F200), and is one of Casio's LCD watch range. This version has a square LCD panel on a round body with the case getting thinner as you got towards the edges. The model is still available and can be found on the Casio website, a will set you back around $45. The original F-200 came out around 1980 and had a square case with round buttons on the front, so it is unusual to find two such different models with the same name.

This watch has a 3 line LCD display and a little circle of alarm indicator marks on the top right. The top two lines are for day and date, and the time uses the bottom line in digits double the height of the other lines. 

It uses a 2518 module, and the face is marked with details of the key features used in various combinations across the Casio watches - alarm chrono, Illuminator (although only with a green LED light), and 10 year battery (using a CR2025). Mode-wise, it has dual time, alarm, and stopwatch. The alarm is a multi-function set-up for daily alarm, daily for one month, and once a month, as well as having a specific date alarm.

Casio F30 - Retro simplicity

I have blogged many basic LCD watches before, but mostly from unknown brands. Today's watch is super basic, but by one of the big names.

The Casio F-30 is probably the most basic watch they have produced. Completely at the opposite end of the scale from their gadget watch line, or the many displays of the Penta Graph, this has no extra functions.

The retro look is simplicity itself - a 5 1/2 digit display, marker for am/pm (no fancy 24-hr option for this watch). It has only 2 buttons, setting and date display, and it's so simple there is no light.

The module they used was the 1007, and the watch was originally released in 1993, but I think it was still out in the 00s. The date tells that this was designed to be retro and cheap, as Casio had more complex watches before the end of the 70s. I don't have any firm details, but from things I've read, it appears this may have been for sale for under $10.

Casio released 2 colours, this one with blue markings, and a red one too. It also was made in both Thailand and Malaysia (like this one), and there is also a different text in the middle of the back (F or DP).

Keeping with the basic principles, the watch is entirely resin (front, back, and strap). But it is still part of the Casio Lithium range, and has this imprinted in the front of the case.