In the age of smartwatches, fitness bands, and Apple Watch, a particular watch stands out. With its shiny metallic strap and grey LCD the vintage Casio digital watch is coming back. It is a fashion statement among the youth. So it is not just nostalgia for gen X and Y. A Southeast Asian airline has also made it a standard issue for its cabin crew.
Casio is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Its watches were immensely popular in the 1970s and 1980s. They were high-tech (in those years) and multi-functional – with multiple alarms, showing the time in two or more time zones, and of course that little yellow light that fascinated users. Later, we had advanced versions like the calculator watch (C80) – pocket calculators were a big deal in the 1970s. And then came the data bank editions that could store names and telephone numbers. Later we had a solar-powered watch. And then watches with games. Casio produced the world’s thinnest digital watch in 1985 (PELA FS-10), just 3.5 mm thick! And there was a demo model (CDM-40) that doubled as a TV remote.
There is also the Casio Youth series of hi-tech watches available today. And the elegant-looking Enticer series for business professionals. Of course, you could also opt for the fashionable G-Shock series and the models with inverse LCD (back dials with white digits).
Casio also manufactured the Ana-Digi series – a hybrid analog and digital watch. I was gifted one in college (AQ-30W). Casio does not manufacture that particular model anymore, but similar-looking models are available today (AQ-230 and AQ-800) with dials in gorgeous colors.
I also had a calculator watch in school (C-80), which is replaced by the CA-500WE.
Casio fans know that the best features of these watches are their affordability and durability. I bought several Casio watches in the past four decades. On average, they lasted 8 – 10 years until the seals wore off, water entered the watch, and damaged the electronic circuits.
These watches don’t burn a hole in your pocket. For instance, you can get beautiful Casio digital watches for less than Rs 3,000 ($24).
Casio is bringing back the older models and giving these a new vibe with new dial colors and metallic straps. This makes Casio vintage watches stand out in the era of smartwatches.
If you want to check out and buy Casio vintage watches go to this link: https://www.casioindiashop.com/watches-vintage-collection?f=Gender|Men&Gender|Unisex&pla=true
A good selection is also available on Flipkart, Myntra, and Amazon.