7 of the best ana-digi watches when you need the best of both worlds

Buffy Acacia

The term “ana-digi” can be a little confusing, but it’s simply this: ana-digi watches combine an analog main time display (i.e. an hours and minutes hands, at least) with digital display(s) for additional functions. The term is almost always used to denote quartz watches with integrated LCD displays into traditional analogue dials. Now, there are a lot of watch enthusiasts who can’t see the point of hybridising analogue and digital watches. After all, wouldn’t you want something that clings either to tradition or purely to function? Well, watches are a more complicated accessory than that. We don’t always like them to do just one thing, and sometimes having the best and the worst of both worlds can still lead to great results. To prove it, here are some of the best ana-digi watches.

Casio G-Shock CasiOak GA2100

Pretty much as soon as the Casio G-Shock GA2100 series dropped, the watch world went nuts for it. Echoing the Genta-designed Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in a resin case, this affordable gem has been fuelled by streetwear style and an abundance of colours. The CasiOak nickname was a no-brainer, and G-Shock has followed up with heaps more references for all tastes. Besides being one of Casio’s toughest-looking watches, it’s packed with functionality thanks to the analogue and digital displays. There’s not enough space here to list all of its features, but the highlights include a slim 11.8mm profile, 200 metres of water resistance, a world timer, a stopwatch, and a perpetual calendar. Price: US$99. Explore our range of G-Shock watches in the T+T Shop

Timex UFC Colossus 45mm

With a name like Colossus, it’s no surprise that this watch’s personality lives up to its whopping 45mm width. The strong octagonal case and dial layout does come pretty close to CasiOak homage territory, however its rectangular stretch does give it a distinct personality. You don’t even need to be a UFC fan to appreciate the black-on-black aesthetic with blood red highlights, but if you are, the logo on the bezel will be a welcome touch. Otherwise, check out the Timex Command Encounter for the same look minus the UFC branding. It’s water resistant to 100 metres for swimming capability and highly durable, while also being lightweight and convenient to throw on the wrist. Price: US$185

Citizen Star Wars Ana-Digi Temp series

Brand deal watches can come across as a little bit tacky, but Citizen takes its Star Wars watches damn seriously. References like the JG2117-51A may be styled after the silver screen’s most loveable droid R2-D2, but the watch itself is actually the modern iteration of a fascinating watch from the ‘80s that harshly separates the analogue from the digital displays. Up top are the hours and minute hands on the left, plus a dual-time display on the right, while the bottom has three digital LCD screens. Left shows you what program is being displayed, the top bottom right (confusing, hey?) is the main screen usually showing the day and date, while the bottom right screen shows a temperature readout that’s an incredibly rare complication. Citizen seems to only be making Star Wars versions of these watches currently, but there are some plain versions worth searching for such as the JG2105-93E if you’re feeling less nostalgic. Price: US$395

Seiko Prospex ‘Arnie’ SNJ025

Worn by Hollywood’s main muscle man Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1985 film Commando, this hybrid monster has been lovingly given the nickname ‘Arnie’ in distinction to the non-digital ‘Tuna’. The case, round and fat like a tuna can, is a hulking 50.5mm in diameter. That sounds huge, but the 47.8mm lug-to-lug length makes it surprisingly wearable. This modern reference under Seiko’s Prospex range features pushers on the left side of the case for the digital functions above 12 o’clock, while the rest of the dial feels like a classic Seiko diver. It’s also solar-powered, charging both the battery as well as the LumiBrite which lets you read it in darkness. Price: US$525

Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar

And speaking of solar… Plenty of smartwatches do away with physical hands in favour of a screen display. After all, if a screen can display analogue hands, what benefit do physical hands bring? Well, Tissot is still catering to the analogue purists out there who can no longer deny the benefits of smartwatch functionality with the T-Touch Connect. Various time zones, fitness tools, navigation aids, and even weather reports can be displayed on the screen behind the hands, while the physical hands serve as a reminder that it is still a wristwatch at its core. The 42mm diameter is fairly compact for a smartwatch too, and the solar charging could almost trick you into thinking it was an automatic, with no need for battery changes or bedside ‘wireless’ charging platforms. Price: US$1,195

Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33

As you could probably guess from its franchise-associated name, the Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 is inspired by science fiction as well as real space travel. Given that Omega is an authority on watches in space, having been partnered with NASA since the ‘60s, it knows exactly what an astronaut needs on their wrist as technology evolves. Its design is derivative of the Speedmaster Moonwatch we all know and love, but features a 45mm titanium case and a digital display occupying a large section of the dial. The dark grey is seamlessly integrated so it looks like the numerals are floating in place, giving you quick access to the chronograph, world time, alarm, and perpetual calendar functions. Price: US$5,900

Breitling Emergency

It’s rare that a watch could actually play an active role in saving your life. The Breitling Emergency, however, can serve as a legitimate rescue tool should a disaster arise, sending out an analogue signal at 121.5MHz and a digital signal at 406MHz, replacing a personal locator beacon. Unfortunately it’s also a watch that could land you in financial danger, because a false alarm will make you liable for the search and rescue costs, as well as the reconditioning of the watch, which could be a huge bill (rumours are in the low five figures). In its own right, the 51mm diameter DLC-coated titanium case makes for a rough-and-ready adventure watch that would more likely dent a tree than pick up scratches. Bold, stencil-like numerals give off a strong ‘80s military aesthetic, backed up by the twin digital displays. Price: US$19,300

Time+Tide Timeless Pick: TAG Heuer Kirium Formula 1

Given the recent uptick in interest for watches of the ‘90s and early ‘00s, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to shine a light on some true Y2k quirkiness. Celebrating sculptural, organic case shapes with retro-futuristic polishing, the TAG Heuer Kirium Formula 1 was somehow simultaneously ahead of and behind the times. Now though, it’s become a cool, collectible watch that you can easily pick up for less than US$1,000. Despite being a quartz-powered watch with an ana-digi display, it’s also a capable dive watch with a 200-metre rating and a unidirectional bezel. As far as connections to Formula 1 go, the only tangible link was an endorsement with Scottish F1 legend and envy-inducing-chin-haver David Coulthard, but that’s more than enough to get F1 fans excited. Plus, with TAG Heuer becoming the official timekeeper of Formula 1 in the wake of Rolex’s exit, now is the time to pick up the bargains before it makes a reissue.