Half a century in the past, Casio launched the Casiotron QW02, the model’s first-ever digital watch. Displaying time, month, date and day of the week – with the calendar being “perpetual” – the Casiotron was a milestone and the ancestor of the G-Shock, one of many best-selling watches of all time. Now it was revived Casiotron “50. Anniversary”a restricted version that retains the look of the stylish unique however is enhanced with fashionable construct high quality and expertise together with a Photo voltaic powered motion with smartphone connectivity. It’s basically a state-of-the-art digital watch with a classic look.
First ideas
As a Casio fan, I acknowledge the significance of the Casiotron, though it’s a cheap watch. With its clear show and multifunctionality, it set the usual for digital digital watches. Casio acquired it proper by reviving this iconic retro design with modern upgrades, particularly because the Nineteen Seventies design harmonizes with present preferences for built-in bracelets.
The remake properly retains the unique design, proper right down to the grooved inside flange and utilized emblem. However the electronics are absolutely twenty first century, and the motion options the identical photo voltaic panel discovered in lots of fashionable Casio and G-Shock fashions.
The Casiotron remake prices $500, inexpensive in itself, however dearer than Casio’s personal digital choices and likewise a fifth dearer than that Tissot PRX Digital. Nonetheless, the surcharge is justified just because the Casiotron is an iconic design that continues to be interesting even after 50 years. Over and past, Casio’s technological superiority in digital watch actions is simple.
A devoted remake
The brand new version is modeled on the Casiotron reference. QW02 from 1974, the model’s first foray into quartz watches. Its standout function was a digital show of time, month, date and day, with the motion having an “automated” calendar that took into consideration the totally different lengths of the months, besides in leap years.
The fashionable Casiotron has an LED show below mineral glass. Surrounding the show is a gradient blue dial surrounded by a ridged edge – a unusual element additionally discovered on the unique. Even the model emblem and mannequin identify at six and 12 o’clock are similar to the unique from the Nineteen Seventies by way of typography and are utilized moderately than printed.
The case has a symmetrical form and options milled and polished surfaces, as does the bracelet. The case now encompasses a waterproof screw-down case again and encompasses a fastened, polished bezel polished pushers at two, 4, eight and ten o’clock. Its dimensions are 42.7 mm x 39.1 mm, with a peak of 12.3 mm, nearly similar to the unique.
The brand new Casiotron is provided with the solar-powered electronics module 3542, which has a backlit show in addition to varied features together with world time, chronograph, countdown timer, calendar and 4 alarms. Moreover, it options automated radio time synchronization (solely obtainable in some nations, together with the US and Japan) and Bluetooth connectivity for smartphones. When absolutely charged, it can run for 11 months below regular use and 22 months in energy saving mode.
Key knowledge and value
Casio Casiotron “50. Anniversary”
Ref. TRN-50-2ADR
diameter: 42.7mm x 39.1mm
Peak: 12.3mm
materials: Stainless-steel
Crystal: Mineral glass
Water resistance: 50 m
Motion: Module 3542
Options: Digital, multifunctional, Bluetooth connectivity
Winding: Photo voltaic
Frequency: battery
Power reserve: 22 months with energy saving perform
belt: Matching bracelet
Restricted version: 4,000 items
Availability: Out there in Casio shops and retailers from February 28, 2024
Value: 500 US {dollars} or 699 Singapore {dollars}
For extra data go to Casio.com.
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