I used to have a malaysian-made W-59 bought in 2003, used it on my wrist only for around 1-1,5 year, then I used it as an alarm clock at bedside for a short time, and then I took it to the shower stall, where it would often be hit by water, soap and shampoo, not to mention the high humidity. After some years the straps were gone because of the environment, but the watch kept counting the hours and with each year I got more impressed with the time the battery was lasting. Finally in mid-2016 the display went weak for a couple of days before the battery finally ran out. That was almost 13 years after the watch was bought and some 10y after being placed in the shower stall. I played with its functions very often when it was newer, but later on, when it was in the bathroom, I went long years without pressing any buttons. Then a few months before the battery ran out I tried doing something with the functions (maybe trying to correct the time that was wrong for years because of lack of adjustment and not-so-great precision from the watch, but I don't really remember about what I wanted to do) and I realized one or two buttons weren't working. Who knows if the battery could have lasted a couple more months if I haven't done this, haha. And then a few weeks ago I dismantled the watch to small bits to see how it was inside, and discarded everything except for the front and back of the watch but I'll throw it away soon. Before discarding the back of the watch which contains the model number, I went on to search some info about this Casio W-59 and here I am. Was also a bit surprised by the fact it is still being manufactured. For me this watch was very unremarkable at first - being plain and far from expensive - so I never bothered being careful with it, but as I said before, over the years I got more impressed by how long the battery was lasting. This brave battery was a Panasonic CR2016 made in Indonesia. After writing this, I think I have paid the tribute the watch - or its battery - deserves. Thank you again Casio® and Panasonic. TL;DR I had a W-59 and I was quite impressed by the fact its battery lasted for 13 years.
+bumblesby oh god really? Haha... who reads manuals anymore 😜! Great tip though- useful for others to know... incidentally, mine is still going strong!
I think the manufacturer wants to play it always safe hence the warning but in reality these watches can take a hell of a beating! To get an idea ck this g-shock watch torture performed by Casio itself. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-v_KCjT_TCUI.html
Mine died that way. Running under heavy rain I stopped the chrono and reset the watch. So sad. it kept woriking, but the water evaporated inside overnight and that killed it.
I recently learnt if you press the buttons on any Casio retro style watch in a certain order, it will open a portal that will allow you to travel in time!
@@Misterpew I have though because I've been to the future and seen that comment. I'm not that type guy Colin unless you want to buy me dinner first. Then I'm a giver not a taker.
These old Casio watches are tough, indeed. When I was in 4th grade in school, I found a F-91W, used it for 6 years and then lost it. During that time I often used it for my school alarm, went swimming with it and put it through the torture you would expect a kid(albeit a careful one) to inflict. During that time it held perfectly well, the battery didn't need replacement, the wrist strap didn't break, the display didn't scratch badly. Years later, I got another Casio - MDV-106 diver watch with much thicker wrist strap. It(the strap) broke the second year and needed replacement, the battery depleted somewhere around the same time. Most of these watches can be found for under $10 on eBay and for that price, they offer excellent features and durability. The only thing they lack in general is a countdown timer. Also, they are very light, which is very handy when you exercise - running, bicycling, etc. Something to keep in mind about water resistance. When a watch says 50m or 5bar, it doesn't mean it can go 50m deep underwater. This is a measurement of air pressure. 30m/3bar means you can splash it with water or wash your hands without removing the watch. 50m/5bar means it is safe to swim. 100m/10bar - snorkeling and finally 200m/20bar and beyond - suitable for scuba diving.
Nice review Stu 👍 simple to the point and thanks for doing the water test for us all watch collectors out here 😁 that's gonna be my 12th retro Casio watch I am giddy about watches I always have been. I appreciate all the horology of watches and Casio is my foundation illy be moving towards Seiko, citizen, orient and onward soon also👍
If I remember rightly the battery lasts 7 years, with hour alarm on, and the daily alarm on. The time keeping is fairly good. It loses one second per 28 days. Here in North Wales we still have a village sundial. One fatal design flaw with it, is that it cant be used after dark - I did try with a torch but I got varying results but the villagers prefer the sundial as it's on the way to the village well.
Great review and video, thanks! I've had the F-91W long ago, indeed is a great little watch but I found the backlight was kind of dim so I got me the w-86-1vqes which to my opinion has the best cheapest backlight out there.
Be careful operating the buttons underwater Stu, some Casio's do not recommend it. Great review and so nice to actually see someone take one into the ocean! I love these cheap Casio's. Subbed to your channel.
Thanks for the water test. I love the f91w but I'm too scared to drown it on the pool since it's my first casio, would probably get the w59 as my summer watch since I wont be too scared to take it swimming.
Unless a watch is an ISO certified diver's watch, like the Gshock Frogman, you should never operate the buttons under water or even if it's wet. There are small gasket seals protecting the case from dust intrusion, but not water. First rule of using any new tool, Read The Manual!
The similar F-91W (iconic watch) and F-105 are also dirt cheap classic watches. The 105 however, has a way better backlight if that is important. Casio never dissapoint, one simply can't get more watch for the money.
very cool! love the water bit! i just bought my first Casio since about 30 years ago! lol.... did a quick review on it on my channel.... the G-Shock GA100-1A1.... thanks Stu!
If you spend an extra fiver, you can get the W86 with the awesome ILLUMINATOR light. I bought mine for 12 quid and has survive 2 years dusty-knocks-and-scrapes work in a warehouse. I've seen these being run over by cars on youtube and surviving. No brainer work watch.
