II. Technical characteristics and functionality
A. Complete specifications
Let’s talk about numbers. The La680wega-9er has rather compact dimensions with a box of 33.5 × 28.6 × 8.6 mm. Its featherweight of only 49 grams contributes to its daily comfort.
The LCD screen offers a classic digital display with this famous amber backlight characteristic of vintage casio – a detail that purists love. The mineral glass protects the screen, without being sapphire, but does its work correctly against light scratches.
On the resistance side, note a modest seal (30 meters), which concretely means that it supports splashes but not swimming. I learned at my expense that it was better to remove it for the dishes …
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 33.5 × 28.6 × 8.6 mm |
| Weight | 49 grams |
| Material | Golden stainless steel |
| Tightness | 30 meters (3 ATM) |
The Digital Quartz movement is reliable, as you expect from a Casio. The standard battery promises about 7 years of autonomy according to the manufacturer – an undeniable strong point when you know that some connected watches require to be recharged every two days.
B. Daily features
The La680wega-9er chronometer does the job, no more no less. It allows you to measure times up to 1 hour with a precision at 1/100th of a second for the first minutes. I timed my cardio sessions with it, and frankly, it works pretty well even if the buttons are a little small when you have wet fingers.
The daily alarm is audible enough, but do not expect to be awake if you have heavy sleep! It is clearly not its strong point. It also offers a time signal that I disabled after two days – this “beep” every hour ends up annoying those around …
To navigate the functions, it is quite simple once you understand the Casio logic. The three side buttons are not very large, which can be frustrating if you have long nails. Besides, a friend told me that she uses a pen to press them! ????
III. Comfort and ergonomics
A. The golden stainless steel bracelet
The bracelet is perhaps the element that divides the most. Some will love it, others hate. Made of stainless steel with golden veneer, it has the advantage of being quite flexible and naturally adapting to the wrist after a few days.
To adjust the size, two options: either you master the delicate art of removing links yourself (which I do not recommend to novices), or you go to a watchmaker who will do it for a few euros. I tried the adventure myself and I almost lost a link in the sink … Lesson learned!
| Bracelet adjustment | Difficulty | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| By oneself | High | Only if you have the tools |
| At a watchmaker | Zero | Recommended solution (€ 5-10) |
Comfort level, I must say that it is … correct. Not exceptional, but not unpleasant either. The links can sometimes pull the little hair from the wrist (yes, even we have the women!). On the other hand, unlike other low-end metal bracelets, it did not shift my skin, which is a real plus.
B. Lightness and practicality
The lightness of this watch, which I mentioned at the beginning, is ultimately its major asset on a daily basis. We even end up forgetting that we wear it! That said, this lightness has its setback: it can give the impression of a somewhat fragile product.
Regarding the adaptation to the different wrist sizes, the Casio La680wega-9er is doing honorably. My wrist is relatively fine (15.5cm), and it adjusts perfectly. A colleague who has a stronger wrist tried it and had to add a link, but the result was just as elegant.
In comparison with other watches in this range, such as the Michael Kors Mini Slim Runway that I have brought before, Casio is infinitely lighter and less bulky. Of course, we do not play in the same price level price, but comfort level, the Casio wins at high hands.
IV. Style and versatility
A. With whom to wear the Casio la680wega-9er?
The great strength of this watch is its versatility. I carried it as well with a tailor to the office as with jeans on weekends. His golden retro style brings just what it takes with character without ever doing too much.
For the evenings, this is where I was pleasantly surprised. While one might think that a digital watch would make “cheap” with a cocktail dress, the gold of the La680wega-9er gives it an almost jewelry look. A friend even asked me where I found this “vintage bracelet” during a dinner!
I have collected some impressions of other users, and the observation is unanimous: this Passe-Partout watch adapts to all situations. Mélanie, 32, told me: “It’s my everyday watch for 1 year, she has been going with absolutely everything in my wardrobe”.
B. Retro trend and timelessness
The retro style is experiencing a real golden age in recent years, and this Casio is taking advantage of it. What is interesting is that even if it surfs a trend, its original design really dates from the 80s – it is not fake vintage created for the occasion.
As for whether it will remain trendy in 5 years, it is the great mystery. That said, Casio has produced this type of model for decades, and they always have their followers. There is something timeless in their functional simplicity.
Marie, collector of vintage watches, shared her point of view: “The golden casio are cyclical: they come back in fashion every 15-20 years approximately. But for enthusiasts, they have never really disappeared.” If you still hesitate on this model, consult our opinion on the Casio A168WG-9EF, a similar model much appreciated. You can also discover other alternatives in our guide to the best Casio watches within 50 euros.
V. Sustainability and value for money
A. Resistance to daily use
Let’s talk true: I wore this watch almost every day for six months before writing this article. The golden veneer? It is surprisingly well. Unlike other inexpensive golden watches that lose their sparkle in a few weeks, the La680wega-9er retains its shine, except perhaps at the friction points of the bracelet, where I noticed slight wear.
The screen, protected by its mineral glass, resisted my daily blunders. Some shocks against door handles (we all did that), and not a visible scratch. The pimples always work perfectly – no blocking or spongy sensations like that sometimes happens with cheap watches after a few months.
I interviewed several long -standing users on watchmakers. A certain Vanessa, owner of this model for three years, told me: “Frankly, I just changed the battery once, and it still shines as on the first day … Well, maybe a little less, but still!”
B. Quality-price report analysis
Sold between 40 € and 60 € depending on the resellers, this Casio is positioned in the entry level of “serious” watches. So, is it worth it?
| Comparison | Average price | Advantages/disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Casio la680wega-9er | ~ 50 € | ✓ Reliable ✓ iconic design ✗ Limited functions |
| Daniel Wellington | ~ 120 € | ✓ More elegant ✗ No more functional |
| Golden swatch | ~ 70 € | ✓ More playful ✗ less timeless |
I spotted the best prices on Amazon and at Chronostock, generally around € 45 during promotions. Beware of counterfeits on certain platforms – always check the provenance!
VI. Final verdict: for whom and why?
A. Strengths and weaknesses
After these months of use, here is my clear opinion:
Strengths: The timeless style that crosses eras, appreciable lightness on a daily basis, the impressive battery life, and this amazing versatility that makes it adapted to almost all outfits. And then, let’s be honest, its accessible price is a hell of a argument!
Weak points: The bracelet can pull the hair (unpleasant but not crippling), the buttons are small for the thick fingers, and the alarm lacks power. And then, if you quibble, the limited sealing will force you to remove it for the swimming pool.
If I had to note it? A solid 8/10 for its value for money and style, but 6/10 for its limited features compared to current connected watches.
B. Profile of the ideal user
You will fall for the La680wega-9er if:
- You are looking for a reliable watch without breaking the bank
- Vintage/Retro style speaks to you
- You prefer to change batteries every 7 years rather than recharging every day
- You appreciate the accessories that are not untrue
On the other hand, go your way if:
- You need a watch to swim
- Connected notifications are essential to you
- You are looking for something very high -end
My friend Léa, who hated wearing watches, finally adopted this model: “This is the first watch that I forget to have on the wrist. I even keep it to sleep!”
