Why I Use a Classic Casio Watch Instead of a Smartwatch

I use a classic Casio watch instead of a smartwatch because it does everything I actually need—telling time, surviving daily abuse, and never needing a charge—while freeing me from notifications, apps, and planned obsolescence. If you’re tired of charging a device every night and being pinged all day, a simple digital watch may be the smarter choice. Here’s the full reasoning, backed by how these watches work, what they cost, and what you give up and gain.

Formula

The calculator above converts a Casio battery’s rated life (in years) into the number of days you can wear it without ever charging. The formula is simple: Battery life in days = battery life in years × 365. If you want to be more precise, you can multiply by the fraction of the day you actually wear it (e.g., 16/24), but most Casio batteries last so long that this refinement rarely matters. For a typical 10-year battery, that’s 3,650 days—or about 10 years of daily wear. A smartwatch battery, by contrast, is measured in hours or days, not years.

Worked Example

Using the default values: a classic Casio with a 10-year battery life, worn 16 hours per day. Battery life in days = 10 × 365 = 3,650 days. That means you can wear it every day for a decade without once plugging it in. Even if you wore it 24/7, you’d still get 3,650 days. Compare that to a typical smartwatch that needs charging every 1–2 days—over the same 10 years, you’d charge it roughly 2,000–3,000 times. The Casio’s battery advantage is not a small detail; it’s the core of the argument.

Why the Battery Matters More Than You Think

The single biggest reason I switched back to a classic Casio is the battery. A smartwatch is essentially a tiny computer on your wrist, and like any computer, it needs power daily. That means carrying a charger, planning around charging times, and worrying about battery health degrading over a few years. A classic Casio—whether it’s a F-91W, a DW-5600, or an AE-1200—runs on a lithium or silver-oxide cell that lasts anywhere from 2 to 10 years depending on the model. You put it on, set the time once, and forget about it. For someone who values reliability and simplicity, that trade-off is enormous.

What You Give Up (and What You Gain)

Smartwatches offer features that a Casio simply cannot: GPS, heart-rate monitoring, notifications, apps, and contactless payments. But ask yourself how often you actually use those. If you’re a runner who needs GPS tracking, a smartwatch may be worth it. If you need to see messages without pulling out your phone, a smartwatch is handy. But for most people, the “killer apps” are notifications and fitness tracking—both of which come with constant distractions and the need to charge. A Casio gives you the time, a stopwatch, an alarm, and often a backlight. That’s it. And that’s the point: it does one job, and it does it perfectly. You gain peace and quiet, a lighter wrist, and a device that never nags you to stand up or breathe.

Durability and Repairability

Classic Casio watches are famously tough. The F-91W is nearly indestructible, with a resin case that shrugs off drops, bumps, and water splashes. The DW-5600 (part of the G-Shock line) is designed to survive shocks and is water-resistant to 200 meters. Smartwatches, by contrast, have glass screens that crack, sensors that fail, and batteries that swell. When a smartwatch breaks, you often have to replace the whole unit. When a Casio breaks, you can usually replace the battery or the strap for a few dollars. There’s also a huge aftermarket for replacement parts, and many models have been in production for decades, so parts are easy to find. This repairability means a Casio can last 20 years or more with minimal upkeep.

Cost Comparison Over a Decade

The price difference is stark. A classic Casio F-91W costs around $15–20. A basic G-Shock costs $50–100. A smartwatch, on the other hand, typically costs $200–500, and that’s before you factor in accessories, screen protectors, and eventual replacement. Over 10 years, a smartwatch user might spend $500–1,000 on devices alone. A Casio user might spend $20–100, and that’s if they buy a new one every few years just for fun. The math is simple: you save money, and you don’t have to worry about software updates making your watch obsolete. Casio watches are not “smart,” but they don’t need to be—they do the same thing in 2035 that they did in 1995.

How to Choose a Classic Casio

If you’re convinced, here’s how to pick the right model for you:

• F-91W – The iconic $15 digital watch. Ultra-light, 7-year battery, 50-meter water resistance, and a stopwatch. Perfect for everyday casual wear.
• DW-5600 (G-Shock) – A square, rugged watch with 200-meter water resistance, shock resistance, and a 10-year battery. Great for sports, outdoor work, or if you tend to bang your wrist around.
• AE-1200 (World Time) – A digital watch with a map display, multiple time zones, and a 10-year battery. Ideal for travelers or those who need to track times in different cities.
• Classic analog models (like the MTP-V002) – If you prefer a traditional look, Casio makes simple quartz analog watches with a 3-year battery. They look dressier but still require zero charging.

Consider your wrist size, the water resistance you need (50m is fine for splashes, 200m for swimming), and the features you actually use. All of them share the same core benefit: no charging.

Common Misconceptions

Some people think a classic Casio is “too basic” or that it lacks features. But the truth is, it has the features you need for daily life: time, date, alarm, stopwatch, and backlight. Another misconception is that all Casios are cheap and flimsy. While the F-91W is cheap, the G-Shock line is engineered for shock resistance and is used by military and outdoor professionals. Finally, some worry that a digital watch looks childish. But the F-91W has become a fashion icon, worn by everyone from streetwear enthusiasts to presidents (yes, Obama wore one). It’s a timeless design that doesn’t scream “tech bro.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Casio battery actually last?

It depends on the model. The F-91W has a stated battery life of 7 years, while many G-Shocks last 10 years. In practice, you can often get a year or two more if you don’t use the backlight often. The battery is a standard CR2016 or CR2025, which you can replace yourself for a few dollars.

Can I swim with a classic Casio?

Only if the watch has a water resistance rating of at least 100 meters (10 bar). The F-91W is rated at 50 meters, which is fine for splashing but not for swimming. The DW-5600 is rated at 200 meters, so it’s safe for swimming and snorkeling. Always check the case back for the rating.

Do classic Casios have a backlight?

Yes, most digital models have a backlight. The F-91W has a small green light, while G-Shocks have a brighter LED. The backlight is the main battery drain, but it’s still negligible if you use it sparingly.

Is it weird to wear a Casio when everyone else has a smartwatch?

Not at all. In fact, many people are deliberately switching to simpler watches to reduce screen time and digital distractions. It’s a personal choice, and a Casio is a practical, stylish, and affordable way to make that switch.

Can I get notifications on a classic Casio?

No, and that’s the point. You won’t get notifications, but you also won’t be interrupted. If you need notifications, you can still carry your phone in your pocket—the watch just won’t buzz.

What about the environment? Is a Casio better than a smartwatch?

Generally, yes. A Casio lasts longer, uses fewer resources to make, and doesn’t require frequent charging (which uses electricity). However, the battery is not rechargeable, so you’ll throw away a small battery every few years. That’s still far less waste than a smartwatch that becomes obsolete in 3–5 years.

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in t | Battery life (years) | years | 10 | 1 | 20
in c | Daily wearing time (hours) | h | 16 | 0 | 24
out batt | Battery life in wearing days | days | t * 365 | 0
out charge | Charge-free days per year | days | 365 | 0