My “All In” premium digital quartz
When digital watches started to appear they made quite a splash, and once LCD technology became a viable option to the power hungry LED display it became apparent that this was the future of high tech watches.
Digital quartz watches were sold at a premium and occupied the upper tier of the market. Every major brand had at least one high end model that was sold to the same snobs who are now looking at them as inferior to the same mechanical watches they were so quick to abandon 40 years ago. That was then and now premium digital quartz watches are as extinct as the Dodo.
It doesn’t mean that premium quartz watches are gone, far from it. Seiko and to some extent Citizen, are quite successful at selling premium analog quartz watches, but you and I won’t be able to buy a premium digital quartz from them anymore.
Unless, you decide to do what I did and go all in with moding. The ideological basis for my idea was that a premium digital quartz watch should not try to hide his digital nature, but bask and glorify in it. Things should be what they truly are, and premium digital quartz has every right to exist as its analog counterpart.
This made my decision to pick up the Casio AE1200 a natural choice, because it’s hard to get more digital than the Worldtimer. The next steps were focused on exorcising the cheapness out of the AE1200 and replace it instead with some premium, and this was easily done with the SKXMOD kit and a very good strap from Vario. Plastic/resin begone!
The end result is exactly what I was looking for – a true premium digital quartz with an (almost) scratch proof DLC coated steel case, nice and responsive buttons, AR coated sapphire crystal, and the whole package is paired to a leather strap that would not feel out of place on a watch priced an order of magnitude higher. All this and more for a very reasonable cost of less than 300US$, including taxes, VAT and international shipment.
Seriously now, get rid of the original plastic strap, because even if you think that Vario straps are too expensive they are still worth it for freeing your wrist from Casio attempt at bundling a glorified plastic zip tie as a legitimate strap.
It works for me because I have a soft spot for the decades of my youth, it may not work for you if you are not into retro, or if you are still fixated on the idea that the Worldtimer is a cheap watch that looks cheap, feels cheap and should remain cheap because this is all what digital quartz watches are good for.
I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
Nice ae1200 is that a mod kit case?
Nice ae1200 is that a mod kit case?
It is. I have the all black matte myself.
Premium digital? Why don’t you just get the digital PRX? 😂 Just kidding. This is a much better setup, when I plan on doing as well in 2024.
Very nicely done. And just FYI, Delugs also sells some very nice leather straps, if you'd ever like to add more variety to your already custom piece.
If it's skxmod, it's a really great solution, practically eliminating all the shortcomings of all Casio models and other electronic watches. The advantages include the entire set of qualities in a complex. in one case you can get a back cover with four screws, as a result, easy replacement of the module or battery with the only tool that is absolutely everywhere. sapphire glass. fairly good processing in all colors and scratch-resistant processing in the main colors. Even the iron bracelets they have are made according to all canons on studs with a threaded connection. What is important is that we can get absolutely sterile versions and total unbranding. for people who need a large and clean image without garbage in the form of maps and small symbols, it is possible to insert a module from the casio dw-291 and not only from the casio 1200,1300,1600 models where there are a lot of unnecessary small details on the screen. By producing this case, skxmod created the ideal watch in terms of its set of qualities and the possibility of simple self-repair. There are two very minor drawbacks: 1) regular belts and bracelets don’t fit well with this case; it doesn’t look very laconic if you don’t use extenders. 2) there is no insert for sale under the screen that would have an “open” look like the link https://www.etsy.com/de-en/listing/1074710158/5-color-pack-framed-faceplate-casio but need beveled corners for a finished look. I would prefer mirror polished metal. I also saw the news that they are going to release a case similar to the f91, 158, 168 models... I don’t think this is a good idea since it has a completely stupid strap/bracelet mount. I think it would be better to focus on the f84, dw-1000 models, but for the 593 module inside, the belt fastening is better there - any will do, and so as not to have another rather thick case in the assortment, but to focus on a thin case because The functionality of these modules is limited.
Premium digital? Why don’t you just get the digital PRX? 😂 Just kidding. This is a much better setup, when I plan on doing as well in 2024.
The tissot company itself, in my eyes, is an absolute misunderstanding not worth the slightest attention. I'm sorry if anyone disagrees with my attitude towards the company, this is purely a personal opinion. If we talk about their model of electronic watch in the boring Tissot PRX case, for me there are significant drawbacks: 1) the back cover 2) no other bracelet fits 3) crazy inscriptions on the screen and branding, and if you break the screen, there is no other one (just sapphire) put it up and have to paint/draw on the glass. 4) I am not confident in simply replacing the electronic module and its widespread distribution and availability, i.e. nothing to do with a premium or quality lifestyle product.
I don’t know the attitude of the local community towards direct links. but so that no one ends up on a fraudulent site or gets lost in the search for skxmod.com, I have nothing to do with them, but I’ve been watching them since they appeared, and I haven’t seen any negative reviews. There is also "kranio design" which also makes similar cases but I am not able to follow it because... he conducts his activities on sites that are not trustworthy, a strange choice, but apparently his main admirers and sales market are there.
Premium digital? Why don’t you just get the digital PRX? 😂 Just kidding. This is a much better setup, when I plan on doing as well in 2024.
There is nothing premium about the PRX.
Very nicely done. And just FYI, Delugs also sells some very nice leather straps, if you'd ever like to add more variety to your already custom piece.
I'll check them out.
The tissot company itself, in my eyes, is an absolute misunderstanding not worth the slightest attention. I'm sorry if anyone disagrees with my attitude towards the company, this is purely a personal opinion. If we talk about their model of electronic watch in the boring Tissot PRX case, for me there are significant drawbacks: 1) the back cover 2) no other bracelet fits 3) crazy inscriptions on the screen and branding, and if you break the screen, there is no other one (just sapphire) put it up and have to paint/draw on the glass. 4) I am not confident in simply replacing the electronic module and its widespread distribution and availability, i.e. nothing to do with a premium or quality lifestyle product.
Well, that was the intended joke. Tissot came out with their digital version of the PRX and wanted $375 for it. It was ridiculous. My comment was sarcastic in nature, but perhaps my tone was missed in this digital environment.
Well, that was the intended joke. Tissot came out with their digital version of the PRX and wanted $375 for it. It was ridiculous. My comment was sarcastic in nature, but perhaps my tone was missed in this digital environment.
oops. I saw that this was sarcasm, but did not take into account the price because... I never pay attention to prices