Casio Ano (MW-240-1EVCF) VS Swatch Back Up Red (SUOR705K)
Introduction
So how should we start this off? Now I know these don't look very similar, but it's the closest comparison I have because they're both in my watch collection and have similar enough specs at a glance. If you know me at all from my last posts, I have a soft spot for both Casio's and Swatches alike. I don't know why that is but they have a strange comfort aura for me. I know there is a closer swatch, but I am just as happy with this red one. I also want to thank user ChadDips for the idea for the post because of his comment saying how similar the Casio looks to a swatch.
Prices
The Casio I bought at the time of this post is $33.00 Canadian (~ $25.00 USD), and the Swatch is almost 3X the price is $95.00 Canadian (~75.00 USD)
The Casio MW-240-1EVCF First Look!
The Casio MW-240-1EVCF (it's a Casio it's always a mouth full of text) or, in the case of this post, I'll call it the Casio Ano for simplicity but the title will always have the model number in the title. The Casio Ano has a complete plastic construction with the following specifications.
- Thickness: 10.5 mm
- Case Diameter: 44.9 mm
- Water resistance: 50 m or 5 Bar.
The Casio Ano has flat applied markers with a flat piece of resin protecting the relatively flat dial. The second hand seems misaligned in some sense because it is rarely hitting the indicated markers. It is a Japanese quartz movement (most likely some Miyota) and is surprisingly quiet, the watch is self is nice and light with a resin body and nice resin strap that's about 20 mm. It has 5 Bar water resistance and a screw-down case back like a typical Casio. 5 Bars is great for doing dishes without concern. However, I still don't recommend swimming with it; Casio says you can but Id not want to risk it personally. The dial itself as I stated earlier, is as well resin so it's relatively flat and plain, but it's not offensive to look at in my eyes. I'll get into the more picky stuff after talking about the Swatch.
The Swatch SUOR705K "Back Up Red" First Look!
This watch is as well part of my personal collection and is similar in that it has a plastic construction with applied markers. It's a 12-hour analog with applied numbers appearing at every even number and applied markers for odd A bonus date complication at the 3 o'clock position where's it's a light red/pink with white text. This blends in the watch practically seamlessly. The measurements for the watch are as follows.
- Thickness: 9.9mm
- Case Diameter: 41.0 mm
- Lug to lug: 47.40
- Water Resistance: 30 m or 3 Bar.
The battery back seems to have its own unique battery hatch, much like other Swatches. I believe this to be the reason for the 30 m water resistance and I restrain from even doing dishes with it. The silicone strap seems to be more comfortable for more extended periods than the Casio Resin strap. The strap has tons of stereotypical Canadian "things" on it. In my opinion, it could be worse but Isn't awful by any means just a matter of opinion. The Swatch seems to have a raised plastic crystal compared to the Casio. This Swatch like a lot of other swatches, has a Swiss Quartz movement that is very, and I mean, a VERY audible tick.
Similarities
- Plastic/Resin Construction
- Simplistic Designs.
- Plastic (Material) Buckle.
- Plastic (Material) Crystal
- Poor alignment on second hand
Differences
- Plastic buckle design. The design of the buckles on the swatch in my opinion is better than that of the Casio because in my opinion it happens to feel a little more secure and flush however the strap is only for swatches because of the wacky design swatch did. If anybody happens to know any watch straps with this type of buckle please let me know!
- Plastic crystal is raised meanwhile Casio is flat
- Casio has a quiet Japanese quartz movement meanwhile Swatch has an audible Swiss quartz movement.
Recommendations
Now that you've seen the difference between the Casio and Swatch which one would you choose? If you want my answer, Id say the better value is for sure the Casio, with things like the crown guards. Even though the Swatch by margin is a comfier watch to wear. You can always change the strap on the Casio because of the spring bars with the bonus water resistance. What watch do I choose...?
I choose the Swatch. I know there tons more disadvantages but I love the fun carefree nature of the Swatch not trying to turn heads It makes me feel happy looking at it compared to the Casio where all I see is just a watch. This Casio is very reminiscent of a Swatch design which is one of the big reasons why I bought it to compare. Thank you so much if you have made it this far in the post :) I hope you yourself have a great day/evening/night if you're reading this. Both watches are truly remarkable in my eyes, and neither will break the bank either if you find a reasonable price for them, however the right price is those of the beholder. Ill try my very best to reply to every comment. Don't Loose Track Of Time, I'll see you soon!
Yeah...the Swatch, but with a clear resin band. I think that would make it pop.
Yeah...the Swatch, but with a clear resin band. I think that would make it pop.
Yeah I could see how that would work!
I don't know and this is just my personal preference, plus being probably twice your age I really like the Casio's simplistic looks and style, also I'm assuming you could swap out the strap form something else like a leather strap or a single pass nato. With the Swatch your limited to what straps you can pair it with plus the fact it's red it again limits your choices.
Any which way you look at it, these two watches obviously make you happy and that's the main point of watch collecting. Buy what makes you happy not what others like. 💯
I don't know and this is just my personal preference, plus being probably twice your age I really like the Casio's simplistic looks and style, also I'm assuming you could swap out the strap form something else like a leather strap or a single pass nato. With the Swatch your limited to what straps you can pair it with plus the fact it's red it again limits your choices.
Any which way you look at it, these two watches obviously make you happy and that's the main point of watch collecting. Buy what makes you happy not what others like. 💯
Exactly thank you for understanding! I really appreciate your input and I know with out a doubt the Casio has a lot more variety to it with strap change options and is a lot simpler but in it's pure stock state with the original strap I think it just sort a falls little more dull as a result.
That's not trying to slam anyone opinion on the Casio I'm really happy to have it and to hear people's opinion
I'd go for the swatch! It's a lot more modern and trendy.. I think they just aim different things, as swatch's designs are usually more daring and fun, and I love that!
PS: You forgot the measurements for the swatch 😕
Casio for me, I found the swatches nowadays loud, the ticking sound makes me feel anxious and feel I’m running out it time… I guess that’s just me, but looks wise I like the popping red, but I’ll still go with Casio and also I like your Lego bonsai
I would say your comparision nicely summarizes MOST swiss vs MOST Japanese watches. While i love the superb quality and the great prices of japanese watches, i do believe that they lack the character of a Swiss watch. It is really tough for me to think of an iconic japanese watch the likes of rolex's datejust or the cartier tank. I have nothing against the Japanese watches, i do own some myself but for me Swiss/other European watches are in a different category.
This is tenuous at best.
I'd go for the swatch! It's a lot more modern and trendy.. I think they just aim different things, as swatch's designs are usually more daring and fun, and I love that!
PS: You forgot the measurements for the swatch 😕
That's true! And thank you I don't know how I completely forgot about the Swatch measurements! Thanks you for letting me know! And I think your right with swatch designs because I can pretty confidentally say that I don't know of really any other watch designs that look quite like a swatch.
Casio for me, I found the swatches nowadays loud, the ticking sound makes me feel anxious and feel I’m running out it time… I guess that’s just me, but looks wise I like the popping red, but I’ll still go with Casio and also I like your Lego bonsai
Yeah I don't blame you! The tick is sort a bad and it's a serious drawback too. Honestly I have 3 swatches and I tried to have them on stands on my bedside table and I couldn't handle all the ticking so I had to put them in my desk hahah.
I would say your comparision nicely summarizes MOST swiss vs MOST Japanese watches. While i love the superb quality and the great prices of japanese watches, i do believe that they lack the character of a Swiss watch. It is really tough for me to think of an iconic japanese watch the likes of rolex's datejust or the cartier tank. I have nothing against the Japanese watches, i do own some myself but for me Swiss/other European watches are in a different category.
That's true and thanks for the compliment! I think Japanese watches are fine if you want a nice understated look without drawing too much attention and therefore sort a disappear in your mind; the exception to a certain extent is GShocks in my opinion. Mean while more Swiss watches in my opinion seem to try to do more of pop and bold sort of design to try and get you looking at it and remembering it.
This is tenuous at best.
Thanks for the advice, what should I work on to try and make it better?
Thanks for the advice, what should I work on to try and make it better?
If I’m honest, and this is aimed at watch content in general, I do not understand the need to have a ”shoot out” between watches or brands unless they are generally the same.
Your Casio is no frills, your Swatch is brighter and more “fashion-oriented”, they are aimed at different areas of the market despite being plastic quartz watches. That is literally the only parallel (to me) - you could talk about the movements and all that but I’m pretty sure someone interested in one is unlikely to also purchase the other (although you did - and that is more interesting than the actual watches themselves). It’s hard to determine a winner when they are looking to achieve different things or appeal to different demographics. Does there need to be a winner? You chose the Swatch for reasons that another Casio model could potentially fulfil the brief for - surely we should compare this model to the Swatch?
Now, if this was a shoot out between a Tactical Frog v3 and the Seestern 300T v3 then that would make sense; here you have two homages to the Doxa 300T powered by NH35s. There would be a benefit to a shoot out as they are the same watch for a similar price, the goal of choosing a “winner” would make some sense. Then again, the simple fact you can get such pieces at such a price that are very well put together is a win for all of us?
If I’m honest, and this is aimed at watch content in general, I do not understand the need to have a ”shoot out” between watches or brands unless they are generally the same.
Your Casio is no frills, your Swatch is brighter and more “fashion-oriented”, they are aimed at different areas of the market despite being plastic quartz watches. That is literally the only parallel (to me) - you could talk about the movements and all that but I’m pretty sure someone interested in one is unlikely to also purchase the other (although you did - and that is more interesting than the actual watches themselves). It’s hard to determine a winner when they are looking to achieve different things or appeal to different demographics. Does there need to be a winner? You chose the Swatch for reasons that another Casio model could potentially fulfil the brief for - surely we should compare this model to the Swatch?
Now, if this was a shoot out between a Tactical Frog v3 and the Seestern 300T v3 then that would make sense; here you have two homages to the Doxa 300T powered by NH35s. There would be a benefit to a shoot out as they are the same watch for a similar price, the goal of choosing a “winner” would make some sense. Then again, the simple fact you can get such pieces at such a price that are very well put together is a win for all of us?
That's fair enough, thank you for giving me those words of advice, I'll definitely try to work harder to make more fair watch comparisons and quality content for the future. It was just something I did for fun because I had thought personally that they both sort a hit a similar demographic. A budget fashionable time piece that can stand the test of time. Casio states this in their description of the watch and Swatch stands the test of time by something simple like "Free battery changes" so you can keep your watch ticking through the long term.
That's true and thanks for the compliment! I think Japanese watches are fine if you want a nice understated look without drawing too much attention and therefore sort a disappear in your mind; the exception to a certain extent is GShocks in my opinion. Mean while more Swiss watches in my opinion seem to try to do more of pop and bold sort of design to try and get you looking at it and remembering it.
I completely agree, GShocks are the only exception I can think of as well. Personally, I think GShocks are more American than Japanese, weirdly enough.
Whats up FoxMocks! Great review you really went all out there. You done way better than me there. To break it all down... Yeah Swatch is good they very trendy when they came out I went and got myself one and enjoyed it. But Casio you can't never go wrong they been out there for a long time and still come up with something nice. I'm kind of upset with Swatch on how the went out with the MoonSwatch. Casio my opinion the common watch. And Swatch is the trendy stylish watch.
Whats up FoxMocks! Great review you really went all out there. You done way better than me there. To break it all down... Yeah Swatch is good they very trendy when they came out I went and got myself one and enjoyed it. But Casio you can't never go wrong they been out there for a long time and still come up with something nice. I'm kind of upset with Swatch on how the went out with the MoonSwatch. Casio my opinion the common watch. And Swatch is the trendy stylish watch.
Fair enough and I think that describes both Casio and Swatch pretty accurately on the side note though The moonswatch is the only swatch Im not too interested in, its crazy how popular and trendy it is that I worry by next generation that it's going to look aged and not in a good way like some other watches do. Example the ever popular F91-W it still awesome today but can't say the same of the Moonswatch. Unless for some reason I find someone selling or I can find the "Mission to the Sun" for really cheap I don't really want it
I agree I know somebody with the moon swatch I was not impressed felt light and cheap. but I just ordered a swatch watch that I once had long time ago. I saw it in the Swatch website and I got it! Its on the way and very excited. Ohrite my friend stay tune.