Finally succumbed to the retro digital charm of the Casio Royale

I believe this little object of digital wizardry hardly needs any introductions, so I will spare you the rundown of detailed specs, pros, cons, and especially comparisons with other Casio models or G-Shocks.

But, since it’s my first ever Casio, I do want to talk a little about why I bought this watch, specifically the reference AE-1200WH-1BV.

I’ve been thinking about getting a Casio or a G-Shock for a while now. I even bought a G-Shock GW-M5610U-1ER on Amazon a couple of months ago, after watching an intriguing video by You're Terrific ou’re Terrific, and sent it back within 24 hours. I simply could not justify the purchase and price as:

a) I’m simply not that much into digital watches

b) I’m not that active and wearing a G-Shock while sitting at a desk or lounging around seemed a little overkill

c) I don’t baby my watches. My Omega Seamaster 300 1957 LE was my first luxury watch and for a long time my only watch. This means I did everything in it, from gardening to changing diapers.

But I did keep thinking about Casio and I would find myself periodically being drawn to their digital coolness. Because they’re cool. They’ve been since the 80’s. And iconic.

And since, at the moment, I do not have the budget to buy something more…substantial, I started watching videos on YouTube…again. Via Britt Pearce I landed on this video by The Mad Watch Collector The Mad Watch Collector and instantly felt attracted to the Casio Royale. There’s just something about its case shape and dial layout–particularly the radar-like digital/analog display on the upper left quadrant–that makes this watch and its design unique. I knew this was the Casio for me, but something held me back. So I spent even more time watching videos on other Casio models. F-91W, A500, W-86, F-100, CA53W, A152, A162, A1100, A168…and the list goes on. It was literally driving me insane. There was so much choice and yet I was none the wiser because I did not know what I really wanted.

So I had to step back, take a moment, and ask myself why I actually wanted a Casio watch, besides them being cool, and when would I actually wear it.

After much deliberation, I came to the conclusion that my Casio would need to be a “beater”, meaning somewhat robust, while also feeling light on the wrist and having decent WR, as I hate taking off my watch when taking a shower. This instantly eliminated most metal, “fragile” and low WR models. Through a process of elimination, in which I also had to factor in value for money, I went full circle and landed back on the Casio Royale.

But it was only when I discovered the AE-1200WH-1BV that I ultimately convinced myself to pull the trigger. Granted, I had to pay a little more, compared to an AE-1200WH-1A, as this model is not sold in Europe, but it was totally worth it.

The high-contrast green map, the golden text on the strap, and the yellow/green display background give this watch that added touch of color and warmth that makes it stand out even more. I love the black resin strap and I want this watch to feel "cheap”. I have other watches I can wear when I’m in the mood for some stainless steel sophistication. But the fact that it’s durable, and has a battery life of 10 years, means that I can, if I want to, go wild with modding further down the line and turn this light plasticy watch into a stainless-steel tank. I don’t have to and I won’t, just now, but I can’t deny I like the fact I can.

This thing looks like a portable radar device out of a war movie from the 60s and wouldn’t have been out of place in one of the Indiana Jones movies. It just makes me want to hop on a plane, fly to a remote tropical jungle, and start exploring, machete in hand.

I will not do that, but I will certainly wear this Casio Royale while on all sorts of crazy adventures with my two-year-old daughter at the playground.