For several decades, Casio has occupied a special place in the global watchmaking landscape. Both popular, accessible and technically ingenious, the Japanese brand is omnipresent on the wrists of the general public as well as among informed collectors.
But behind this popularity lies a real question: what are Casio watches really worth? Today, Swiss Made Watch Magazine looks at a house that has successfully combined watchmaking and technology!
History of the Casio brand
The Casio story begins in Japan in 1946, when Tadao Kashio founded the Kashio Seisakujo company. Originally specializing in electronics and calculators, the company quickly became a pioneer in its field. It is only in 1974 that the brand launches its first watchthe legendary Casiotronone of the first digital watches incorporating an automatic calendar.
From its watchmaking beginnings, Casio has imposed a vision radically different from that of traditional houses. Here, priority is given to electronic precisionto the reliability and to the functionality. This philosophy, still relevant today, explains why a Casio watch remains as relevant today as it was several decades ago.
Casio: quality watches?
The quality of a Casio watch is measured above all by the diversity and consistency of its collections. The brand structures its offering around several well-identified rangescapable of responding to very different uses:
- Casio Vintage revisits icons of the 70s and 80s with rectangular cases, thin metal bracelets and an instantly recognizable retro aesthetic. A Casio Vintage watch seduces as much by its style as by its proven reliability.
- Casio Timeless brings together simple and effective models, often with analog or digital displays, designed for daily use.
- Casio Edifice adopts a more urban and sporty chic positioning with very easy to wear models, made entirely of metal.
- Casio G-Shock is a range that has established itself as an absolute reference for those looking for extreme robustness! Resistant to shock, water and the most severe conditions, these watches are designed like real tools.
- Casio Pro Trek is aimed at lovers of adventure and outdoor activities of all kinds.
On the materials side, Casio mainly uses resinavailable in chrome, gold, black or colored versions, but alsostainless steel polished or brushed depending on the model. The adjustments are precise and the cases remarkably well assembled.
Concerning the movements, the brand relies almost exclusively on the quartza choice perfectly consistent with its technological DNA. These movements offer excellent precision and recognized longevity. Even more surprising, the brand recently unveiled the first Casio automatic watch in history, proving that it also knows how to think outside the box!
Casio: between watchmaking and technology
What fundamentally sets a Casio watch apart is its ability to push the boundaries of functionality. The brand is known worldwide for its digital watches and its models with ana-digi display, combining hands and digital screen.
A multifunction watch Casio can integrate a stopwatch, an alarm, a countdown, a perpetual calendar or even LED lighting. The most advanced models offer functions such as the barometer, altimeter or compass, particularly appreciated on Protrek references.
More recently, Casio has integrated the Bluetooth connectivity on certain watches, allowing synchronization with a smartphone. This technology facilitates adjustments while maintaining much greater battery life than traditional connected watches.
Casio: who is it for?
A Casio watch is aimed above all at those looking for a reliable, accessible timepiece designed to last. Thanks to the richness of its catalog, the brand appeals to an extremely wide audience. It is also easy to find a Casio men’s watch with a sporty design that Casio women’s watch with finer and more elegant lines.
Casio also offers models suitable for younger children, with resistant and fun formats, perfect for parents looking for a Casio children’s watch. Athletes will appreciate the robustness of the G Shock, while lovers of retro design will naturally turn to Casio Vintage.
Finally, it is important to remember that Casio enjoys immense respect among collectors. It is not uncommon to see a Casio alongside, within a collection, watches worth several thousand euros. Proof that in watchmaking, value is not measured only by price, but also by the history, usefulness and sincerity of a timepiece…
So, what are Casio watches really worth? They are worth much more than their image as accessible watches. Reliable, ingenious, well designed and often ahead of their time, they embody a different vision of watchmaking, more pragmatic and focused on use. Whether it’s a retro model, an ultra-robust tool or a modern multifunction watch, Casio proves that it fully deserves its place among the most respected watch brands!
