Casio Royale; Why Is It Called That?
Exploring the 'Casio Royale': The Story Behind the Nickname of the Casio World Time Illuminator
The Casio World Time Illuminator, officially recognized as the AE1200 model, has adopted an intriguing nickname among watch aficionados: the "Casio Royale." This alias isn't a result of an official branding effort by Casio, but rather an organic development among the watch community. The origins of this nickname require a slight detour into the world of cinema, particularly the James Bond franchise.
In the 1983 Bond film "Octopussy," actor Roger Moore, playing the iconic British spy, sported a distinctive watch - the Seiko G757 Sports 100. This particular model, no longer in production, is fondly remembered for its digital display and unique world time function.
The Casio AE1200, despite not being an exact replica, carries a somewhat similar aesthetic to the Seiko G757. With its unmistakable digital display and comparable world time function, it's not hard to see why fans draw parallels between the two watches.
It's important to clarify, however, that the AE1200 was never featured in any James Bond movie. The "Casio Royale" nickname is a playful nod to the timepiece's stylistic connection to the James Bond universe. Thus, the Casio AE1200 has adopted a cultural significance in the watch community that extends beyond its functional attributes, demonstrating the intriguing ways in which popular culture and horology can intersect.
I'm an ardent watch collector and historian, tracing the ebb and flow of time through the lens of horology. My fascination began with the intricate mechanisms that tick beneath each dial and has grown...
I just thought the watchface looked like a roulette table