7 of the best Casio watches under $50
Buffy AcaciaWhether it’s a beater for laborious work, a gift for the niece, or simply something humble to wear, we all love a cheap watch. A crisp US$50 note isn’t as powerful of a spending tool these days, but you’d be surprised how many great options there are for watches from the dominators of digital – Casio. Is there any other brand that could encompass heroes of the silver screen, accurate vintage reissues, and even stylish analogue watches for under US$50? I don’t think so. And if you see anything you like, be sure to browse the Casio section of the Time+Tide shop.
Casio F91W-1
Anyone even remotely familiar with Casio’s budget range would have been screaming the name “F91W” as soon as they read the headline of this article. Virtually unchanged since its inception in 1989, this 35mm resin nugget is packed with as much charm as it has features. A daily alarm, calendar, backlight, chronograph, and a seven-year battery life make this an incredibly useful watch as well as a timeless classic. It’s such a prolific watch that Casio’s reported output of the F91W was 3 million units in 2011, and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of it slowing down. Price: US$22.95
Casio CA53W-1
It’s a watch, and it’s a calculator. Few objects can retrieve the thrill of seeing something as a kid and being fulled by a desperate desire to own one, but the novelty of doing basic maths on your wrist has never worn off, even if our phones can do it better. As if that childhood nostalgia wasn’t enough in its own right, this is also the watch worn by Marty McFly in Back To The Future. From a practical perspective, the Casio CA53W-1 has just as much power as the F-91W with an alarm, dual times, chronograph, hourly time signals, and more. You can go for the classic reference, or switch things up with the blue, red, green, beige, and black resin models with an inverted display. Price: US$29.95
Casio LF20W-8A
The LF20W collection was a bit of a surprise hit when it first launched, with many of the available colours selling out and becoming instant collectibles. Things have calmed down since then, but that doesn’t make it any less of a compelling watch. The matte texture and silky-soft hues of the bio-based resin almost give it a similar visual quality to ceramic, while remaining super light and comfortable on-wrist. Although it’s digital dial layout is heavily based on the Casio Twin-Graph, the LF20W really takes on a life of its own as a minimalist yet stylish streetwear companion. The case measures 37.8mm by 33.7mm, and the LF20W-8A with its beige tone is particularly attractive for those who prefer a lighter effect that isn’t blinding white. Price: US$29.95
Casio MRW-200 / LRW-200
So you may not be able to afford a true Casio G-Shock without looking second-hand or getting one hell of a discount, but do you really plan on running your watches over with a truck? If you want something that’s still relatively indestructible, legible, and with a swimmable 100 metres of water resistance, then the MRW-200 and LRW-200 ranges are here for you. The M versions are much beefier at 44mm in diameter while the L references are a much tamer 34mm, and there are seemingly endless colour options to choose from. The smaller watches do happen to be $6 more expensive, but they’re also much more colourful. The only other difference between them is the MRW’s use of a weekday display as well as the date at 3 o’clock. Price: US$29.95 (MRW), US$35.95 (LRW)
Casio AE1200WHD-1A
Also dubbed the Casio Royale due to its dubious similarity to a Seiko watch worn by Roger Moore’s James Bond in Octopussy, the AE1200 has become a bit of a cult hit among Casio fans, especially those who like to modify their watches. The round subdial in the top left corner displays a digital representation of analogue watch hands, while the digital time can be read below. A low-res world map on the right side pinpoints the active region when cycling through various time zones, which makes it phenomenal for travelling, as well as contributing to the air of international espionage. Otherwise, the five alarms, 100 metres of water resistance, and 1/100th second chronograph make it a highly practical watch for an absolute bargain. Price: US$42.95
Casio A168XES-1BVT
If you’re a fan of the Casio F91W but you’re not so fond of the black resin look, the A168 is the next no-brainer choice. Released a some years later in the mid ‘90s, this steel-covered watch captures all the same lightweight, low-cost, high-functionality of the F-91W with a little bit more of a professional polish. This particular reference manages to capture retro nostalgia and contemporary slickness at the same time thanks to a monochromatic dial, inverted display, and a transparent resin strap. The module is largely the same, except with an electroluminescent backlight rather than an LED. Price: US$49.95
Edifice EF106D-2AV
Aside from the Casio Duro dive watch, Casio’s analogue watches are sorely overlooked. The EF106D-2AV from Casio’s Edifice sub-brand is not a reference you’ll see discussed much at all, but with the recent rise of interest in late ‘90s and Y2K designs, maybe that will soon change. Its integrated bracelet with flared edges screams early ‘00s, as do the sharp details of the deep blue dial. Divots on the polished bezel highlight the increased level of finishing than you might find on non-Edifice Casios, and it’s backed up by 100m of water resistance that grants it tool watch status. The 37mm diameter and 43mm lug-to-lug is super versatile, and it’s only 10.4mm thick. You may only get 5c in change from your $50 bill, but you’ll end up with a sleeper hit with solid specs. Price: US$49.95
Time+Tide Timeless Pick: Casio Duro MDV106DD-1A1
The fan-favourite Casio Duro may be priced out of this list at an RRP of US$89.95, but if you’re after one of the most affordable dive watches with 200 metres of water resistance and a screw-down crown, you should absolutely hunt down those discount codes or second hand listings. Famed for being Bill Gates’ watch of choice, it’s proof that humility in the watch hobby can go a long way. It’s certainly chunky at 44.2mm in diameter, but the 48.5mm lug-to-lug length helps tame it, along with the 12.1mm thickness. The diving bezel is fully functional too, and unidirectional so it doesn’t slide back. If black isn’t your colour, other references pay homage to some more famous combinations such as the Pepsi, Batman, and Hulk bezels.