Casio A168W – 36mm Digital Watch | EL Backlight | 7-Year Battery
The Casio A168 is one of the few watches that prove affordable does not have to mean disposable, and it does so very well. Its compact digital display, simple push-button controls and unmistakably retro case have remained relevant long after this style of watch first became popular. It works just as well today as an inexpensive everyday watch as it does a piece of deliberately vintage-inspired design.
The case measures approximately 36.3mm across and 38.6mm from top to bottom, making the A168 considerably more compact than many modern watches. At just 9.6mm thick and around 50g in weight, it is also exceptionally light. That combination makes it particularly easy to wear on smaller wrists. That said, the proportions are really part of the design, rather than something that needs to be sized up in the way you approach a conventional round watch. Inside is a Casio quartz digital movement, powered by a CR2016 battery. Quartz means the watch uses an electronic oscillator rather than a mechanical movement, giving it excellent everyday consistency without needing to be wound or worn regularly to keep it running. Casio rates the A168 to approximately ±30 seconds per month and estimates around seven years of battery life under normal use. The simple appearance belies the fact that the Casio A168 is also a really useful watch; you get a 1/100-second stopwatch, daily alarm, hourly time signal, calendar and the choice between 12- and 24-hour time formats. None of these functions are particularly exotic today, but they make the A168 genuinely practical rather than simply a retro fashion piece. One of the features that separates the A168 from some of Casio's most basic digital watches is its electro-luminescent backlight. Pressing the light button illuminates the display in a blue-green glow, making the entire screen much easier to read in darkness rather than relying on a small light from one side of the display.
The construction of the A168 is worth understanding, because the silver appearance can be slightly deceptive. The bracelet is stainless steel, but the case itself is resin with a chrome-plated finish rather than solid stainless steel. This helps explain the very low weight and keeps the watch affordable, although it also means the case will not have quite the same substantial feel as a conventional steel sports watch. The bracelet uses an adjustable clasp, making it relatively straightforward to size without removing conventional bracelet links. Its thin folded construction is very much part of the A168's character; it is light and comfortable rather than heavy and bulky, which suits this particular watch surprisingly well. Above the display is resin glass, which is perfectly appropriate at this price point and helps keep weight to a minimum, but it is more susceptible to scratches than mineral or sapphire crystal. For an inexpensive everyday watch that may end up being worn without too much concern, that will not bother everyone, but it is a compromise to be aware of.
Casio describes the A168 simply as water resistant, rather than giving it the sort of substantial depth rating found on the company's more rugged watches. I would therefore be comfortable with normal everyday splashes and rain, but would not choose it specifically for swimming. If water resistance and durability are the priorities, something from Casio's more outdoor-focused ranges would make more sense. And that is really the appeal of the A168. It does not try to imitate a much more expensive mechanical watch. It is proudly digital, genuinely useful and immediately recognisable, while remaining small, light and extremely easy to live with. There is also something refreshing about a watch that can provide years of accurate timekeeping without requiring much thought at all. The obvious trade-offs are materials and refinement. The chrome-plated resin case and resin crystal are not going to feel particularly luxurious, and buyers looking for the solidity of a full stainless-steel watch may find it almost surprisingly light.However, it would be unfair to judge the A168 by those standards; this is an affordable Casio digital watch that has developed its own identity, and for someone wanting a simple everyday watch with plenty of retro character, it remains very difficult to dismiss.
Included in the box:
Casio A168W watch only. No presentation box, instruction manual or additional accessories are included.
Worth knowing:
The silver-colured case is chrome-plated resin rather than solid stainless steel. The bracelet itself is stainless steel, helping keep the watch extremely light while retaining the familiar metallic appearance.
The crystal is resin rather than mineral or sapphire glass, so it will be more susceptible to surface scratches during everyday use.
