Fergus Nash
We all love a cheap watch, whether it’s a watch for a tiring job, a gift for a niece, or just something small to wear. The $50 bill isn’t the most powerful spending tool these days, but you’d be surprised how many great options there are when it comes to watches from digital ruler Casio. What other brand offers silver screen heroes, accurate vintage reproductions, and even stylish analog watches for less than $50? I don’t think so. If you like what you see, be sure to check out the Casio section of the Time+Tide shop.
Casio F91W-1
If you know anything about Casio’s budget range, you probably screamed the name “F91W” the moment you read the headline of this article. This 35mm resin nugget, which has remained virtually unchanged since its creation in 1989, is packed with more than just functionality. With a daily alarm, calendar, backlight, chronograph, and 7-year battery life, this watch is both an extremely useful timepiece and a timeless classic. It’s a very prolific watch, with Casio reporting production of 3 million F91Ws in 2011 and showing no signs of slowing down. Price: $22.95
Casio CA53W-1
It’s a clock and a calculator. There are few things that can bring back the thrill of seeing something as a child and being filled with a desperate desire to own it. But the novelty of doing basic calculations on your wrist will never wear off, even as smartphones get better. As if childhood nostalgia wasn’t enough, this is also the watch worn by Marty McFly in Back to the Future. From a practical standpoint, the Casio CA53W-1 is functionally equivalent to the F-91W with alarm, dual time, chronograph, time signal, and more. You can choose the classic reference or switch to a blue, red, green, beige or black resin model with an inverted display. Price: $29.95
Casio LF20W-8A
The LF20W collection was a bit of a surprise hit when it first launched, quickly becoming a collectible item with many of the available colors selling out. Things have calmed down since then, but that doesn’t stop this watch from being an attractive watch. The matte texture and silky color of the bio-based resin gives it a visual quality almost similar to ceramic, while remaining ultra-light and comfortable on the wrist. Although the digital dial layout is heavily based on the Casio Twingraph, the LF20W holds its own as a minimalist yet stylish streetwear companion. With a case size of 37.8 mm x 33.7 mm, the beige-toned LF20W-8A will be particularly appealing to those who prefer a bright effect that is not blindingly white. Price: $29.95
Casio MRW-200 / LRW-200
So you may not be able to afford a genuine Casio G-Shock unless you look for a used one or get a big discount, but are you really going to run the watch on the track? If you want something easy to use and water resistant to swim 100 meters, the MRW-200 and LRW-200 series are perfect for you. The M version is much thicker at 44mm in diameter, while the L reference is a much more tame 34mm and comes in seemingly endless color options. The smaller watch is certainly $6 more expensive, but it’s also more colorful. The only other difference between the two is that the MRW uses a day of the week display and the date at 3 o’clock. Price: $29.95 (MRW), $35.95 (LRW)
Casio AE1200WHD-1A
The AE1200, also known as the Casio Royal due to its suspicious resemblance to the Seiko watch worn by Roger Moore’s James Bond in Octopussy, is a favorite among Casio fans, especially those who like to modify their watches. It has gained a bit of a cult following among the public. The round sub-dial in the upper left corner has a digital display of the analog clock hands, and below that you can read the digital time. The low-resolution world map on the right pinpoints your area of activity as you cycle through different time zones, making it not only great for travel, but also contributing to the atmosphere of international espionage. Other than that, it’s a very practical watch with 5 alarms, 100 meters of water resistance and a 1/100 second chronograph, making it an absolute bargain. Price: $42.95
Casio A168XES-1BVT
If you’re a fan of the Casio F91W but don’t really like the black resin look, your next choice is the A168. Released a few years later in the mid-’90s, this steel-covered watch has all the same light weight, low cost, and high functionality as the F-91W, but with an added professional polish. This special reference exudes retro nostalgia and modern sleekness at the same time thanks to its monochromatic dial, inverted display and transparent resin strap. This module is almost identical, except it has an electroluminescent backlight instead of LED. Price: $49.95
Edifice EF106D-2AV
With the exception of the Casio Duro diver’s watch, Casio’s analog watches are largely ignored. The EF106D-2AV from Casio’s Edifice sub-brand isn’t a very popular reference, but given the recent uptick in interest in late ’90s and 2000s designs, perhaps that will soon change. The integrated bracelet with flared edges gives it an early 2000s vibe, as do the sharp details on the deep blue dial. The polished bezel divot emphasizes a higher level of finish than non-Edifice Casios, and it has a water resistance of 100 meters, solidifying its status as a tool watch. The 37mm diameter and 43mm lug distance makes it extremely versatile, and it’s only 10.4mm thick. You might only get 5 cents in change from a $50 bill, but you’ll end up with a sleeper hit with solid specs. Price: $49.95
Time+Tide Timeless Pick: Casio Duro MDV106DD-1A1
The fan-favorite Casio Duro has a suggested retail price of $89.95, which might keep it off this list, but if you’re looking for the most affordable dive watch with 200 meters of water resistance and a screw-down crown. If so, you should definitely look for it. Check out those discount codes and second-hand listings. Known as Bill Gates’ favorite watch, this watch proves that humility can go a long way in the watch hobby. The diameter is 44.2mm, which is certainly thick, but the lug-to-lug length of 48.5mm and thickness of 12.1mm help keep that in check. The diving bezel is also fully functional and is unidirectional so it won’t slide back. If black isn’t your color, check out other references that pay homage to more famous combinations, such as the Pepsi, Batman, and Hulk bezels.
