The Casio World Time Review: How Can a Watch Costing Less Than $30 Be So Good?

Between riding enduros and dual sport motorcycles hundreds of miles off-road and lapping open-top race cars, the elements, mud, rocks, grit and molar-loosening engine vibrations, I was in fear for my mechanical watch’s life. I know they’re tested to withstand water and a few knocks, but I’m a little overprotective. It was suggested I pick up a G-Shock, but I can’t bring myself to put that big of a chunk of rubber and plastic on my wrist; plus, I was aiming to invest even less.

Then, in my search, I came across the Casio World Time. It’s above and beyond what I was looking for — but it’s exactly what I need. And for less than $30 for the steel(-toned, but actually still resin) version on sale on the likes of Amazon (and even less — like $20 — for other versions) how could I turn it down?

At a Glance: The Casio World Time

Amazon

Casio World Time AE1200WH

• $19.99 at Amazon
  $29.95 (33% off)

What’s Good About the Casio World Time?

The value is straight-up unbeatable

For a negligible sum more than the F91W model, it adds an analog-style alarm clock, day-month-year readout and a world time zone map. It even has the soft-orange illumination I prefer; it’s easier on the eyes too — that blue-green crap is obnoxious.

Zen Love

Zen Love

It’s surprisingly durable

I’ve already put a few hundred miles on it, and it’s still telling the time despite getting covered in mud and taking a few hits from tree branches at high speed. You’d only expect the absolute basic features for these prices, but it’s even water-resistant enough (100m) to leave on when you’re around or even in the water.

What’s Not So Ideal About the Casio World Time?

It doesn’t accommodate the most common strap sizes

I’ve been on the lookout for a NATO strap to customize it, but it turns out 21mm two-piece NATOs are tough to come by. So I gave in and just bought the not-on-sale, olive green version of the Casio World Time watch itself that comes with the black strap I want — I’m just going to swap it over as soon as it arrives. (It’s available in a few case and strap variations including standard black plastic, green, gold and silver.)

Zen Love

It’s got more functionality than you probably need

Like I said, I really got this watch for telling the time, and that’s what it does best. The other features and functions are really just bonuses that add to its visual appeal and technical look more than anything else. Not that it’s difficult, but I had to read the manual the first time (first couple times) to use features like the world time and stopwatch. It becomes intuitive once you get the hang of it though.

The Casio World Time: The Verdict

At $30 or less, this watch proved its worth the first time out, and it’s still doing so every day. I know I’m not exactly going to impress fancy collectors with this on my wrist, but that’s not my point — and it seems even watch nerds can appreciate the Casio World Time. The funny thing is, I’m now just as attached to it as I am my mechanical watch.

Amazon

Casio World Time AE1200WH

• $19.99 at Amazon
  $29.95 (33% off)

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