The Casiotron, revived after 50 years, is more than just a replica watch [Review]

In November 1974, Casio Computer released a calculator, a product that was different from its previous mainstay. This was the Casiotron QW-02, which can be considered the ancestor of G-SHOCK. Now, for the first time in 50 years, this digital watch has been reissued with the latest features. Here is a hands-on review.

A tribute to Casio's memorable first model, which became the foundation of the watch business.

　The Casiotron QW-02 was an advanced and practical digital watch with the world's first auto-calendar function, leveraging the technology Casio Computer had cultivated in its calculator business. Until then, the company's main product had, of course, been electronic calculators, and electronic typewriters had just recently been added to its product lineup. In November 1974, the company added digital watches. Nine years later, in April 1983, the first G-SHOCK, the DW-5000C, was released, and the subsequent rapid growth of Casio's digital watches is well known. While the company's lineup is diverse, having introduced innovative products such as the PB-100 pocket computer and the QV-10 LCD digital camera, "watches" are listed at the top of its current business activities on its website.

To better understand this watch, consider the watch industry circa 1974.

　Let's examine the historical context surrounding the release of the Casiotron from the perspective of wristwatches. Before the advent of digital wristwatches, battery-powered quartz watches were essential. Undoubtedly, a major milestone was the December 1969 release of Seiko's Quartz Astron, the world's first mass-produced quartz wristwatch. Of course, the Swiss were not sitting idly by. Behind the scenes, the Centre Electronique Horloger (CEH, founded in Neuchâtel, Switzerland in January 1962) was accelerating the development of quartz movements. However, the results of this work, watches equipped with the Beta 21 movement, were not released by Patek Philippe, Piaget, and several other companies until the Basel Fair in April 1970, about four months after Seiko. The high cost of the Beta 21 prevented CEH from making a comeback, and the quartz revolution began in Japan and spread worldwide.

　Meanwhile, in the field of mechanical watches, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was released in 1972. Since quartz watches at the time generally had relatively thick movements, one trend in luxury mechanical watches was to find a way to make them thinner. Around this time, high-end, thin, two-hand dress watches, known as "itamono" (a term long used among watch buyers and sellers), in which the case and bracelet are brazed together as one unit, became common.

　Returning to the topic of digital watches, the world's first wristwatch with a non-mechanical digital display was Hamilton's Pulsar. This watch featured an LED time display mechanism, and as a result of efforts to extend battery life from the development stage, it was mass-produced with a display that only displayed the time for 1.25 seconds when the button was pressed, and was announced on May 6, 1970. The earliest model had only an 18-karat gold case and carried a price tag of US$2100, but records show that it sold well.

　In 1973, Japan produced another digital watch that claimed to be the world's first. This was Seiko's "Quartz LC VFA (06LC)," which realized a six-digit digital display using an LCD. This watch is a historic model that has been recognized as an "Important Historical Document of Science and Technology" by the National Museum of Nature and Science. Looking at it in this context, the position of the Casiotron QW-02 released the following year becomes clear, albeit vaguely. This was truly the beginning of the digital watch era.

　The original retail price of the Casiotron QW-02 was 58,000 yen, and the newly reissued TRN-50 is priced at the same price (excluding tax), which seems quite stylish. However, the starting salary for a college graduate today is about 2.8 times higher than it was in 1974, and the new model incorporates features that have evolved over the past 50 years, so while a direct comparison is difficult to make, it may still be useful as a reference.

Although the functions have been significantly updated, the things that should be retained and those that should be reproduced have been carefully selected, resulting in a truly well-balanced reproduction watch.

　That's enough of the introduction, let's move on to our impressions of the latest Casiotron.

　The stainless steel case is said to be a reproduction of the original QW02-10 series, measuring 42.7mm long and 39.1mm wide. Because it has a hooded lug design, the case diameter should be considered 39.1mm. At 12.3mm thick, it feels a little thick compared to the diameter, but it doesn't feel out of place in today's world of thick watches. With all links in place, the watch weighs approximately 111g.

　A distinctive feature is the flat glass crystal that covers the entire dial, including the STN LCD display, and the inward-sloping fluted bezel that surrounds it. This reflects light well, making it a major accent and a major attraction of the TRN-50. Nearly perfectly flat, applied "CASIO" and "CASIOTRON" logos are placed above and below the display, creating a striking presence. The dark blue color of the outer periphery is also sharp and impressive, and the horizontally striated texture adds a touch of elegance. The top of the case retains the kerfs from the cutting process, and the relatively large feed from the process appears intentional, highlighting the polished bezel and case edges. The Tough Solar-powered movement, Module No. 3542, runs for approximately 11 months without charging after a full charge, and an impressive 22 months in power-saving mode.

　The original had one push button on the right side, but the TRN-50's multi-function design increases the number of buttons to two on each side, for a total of four. Following the G-SHOCK style, one would expect the function of each button to be written on the dial, but this is not the case at all. If there were tiny lines of text written all over the place, it would be a total turn-off. This is a bold decision.

　The original display had four digits for the hours and minutes, with 10-second markers on the top row, but the latest model has been revised to six digits, including the seconds. The day of the week and date are usually displayed on the top row, and the display changes when other functions are called up. The display is clearly legible, without the poor contrast or blurring of older LCDs. The LED backlight has a cool, pale blue appearance that matches well with the dark blue outer periphery. The push buttons are generally lighter than those of G-SHOCK and similar watches, reminiscent of the nostalgic impression of digital watches from the early days, but the screw-back case ensures water resistance to 5 bar.

　The bracelet is thin compared to the case, and I think the polished and satin finish is impressive considering the price. The links are adjusted using push pins, as expected. The buckle is opened and closed by pressing the push buttons on either side, and it feels comfortable to press, is solid, and by no means cheap. The bracelet width tapers from 20.5mm near the lugs to 16mm (both actual measurements) as it approaches the buckle. Digital watches from the 70s and 80s generally had thin bracelets, and while this watch evokes that nostalgia, it's not too thin, giving it the characteristic clunky feel and comfort. Personally, I found it more comfortable when worn a little tighter.

A digital watch with an easy-to-use size and a simple appearance, but actually very expressive

　The Casiotron TRN-50 has been reissued for the first time in 50 years at the same price. It definitely falls into the category of a reissue watch, with its classic, elegant design, nostalgic details, cutting-edge functionality, well-made case, dial, and bracelet, all perfectly aligned with what we want. While there are many reissues with details and a direction that makes you think, "That's not quite right," it's rare to find a watch with such a well-balanced update. It's limited to a production run of 4000 pieces, so if you're undecided, we recommend acting quickly.