I set the time on my New "a168" 7 years ago and forgot about it. Now 7 years later I found it again. Time 100 percent spot on and still runs on the same battery.
My A168 is damn accurate. My GW6900 [atomic/solar] sets itself each evening and I use it to set all my other watches. The last time I set my A168 was a couple months ago and when compared to my GW6900, it’s barely a second off. Brilliant little bugger.
Anyone that needs a watch just to tell the time should definitely be buying a Casio in my opinion. Cheap, cheerful and accurate. You really can't get better than that.
I agree. I like that the main display shows everything that I need to see without things that I don't always need to see (like the alarm time). One additional aspect I like about the A168 is that it is very easy to use its features. I've found some watches are confusing when it comes to doing something that should be simple like setting the alarm and the time, to the point of needing to check the Instruction Book to make sure that I've done it right. But not with this Casio.
And they got it right with the Duro as well. Almost as stripped down as you can get for a diver, but with basically everything you need (although I'd actually like to see the date window disappear as well).
I bought this watch in 2005. It is totally beat, but it is still working. I never changed the battery in these 14 years. Cool little watch - love it! Thanks for the review!
I have an A158 and it's been my daily for a few years. I have a few watches in the $150-$300 price range, but I can't get away from the cheap casio. I'm constantly enamored with it's 80s retro aesthetic.
I have a story about this watch. It was the watch that got me into watches. I work at a grocery store in the United States. Where I work, there is a frequent customer who is into watches for collection, repair and resale. One day, he gave me a zip bag full of older quartz watches that didn't work for various reasons, save for one watch. A Casio A168 from the 1990s. It had a working battery. This watch amazed me as to how well made something can be and cost so little, and when he just GAVE it to me, I immediately realized that there has GOT to be more to see, because if he's just giving it away... well... I need to see what he holds onto. I now have a time grapher, loop and magnifiers, hand assistants, a full suite of tools and spare parts, a case of over 24 top working watches... But I still come back to this watch. It fits well. It doesn't get in the way at work. It doesn't get caught on things or take up too much space while reaching into a cooler. It is accurate, and easily set to match the punch clock. It's absolutely the ideal work watch. It looks good too. :)
@Rusty Scab I just purchased a Timex "Flyback" Chronograph and the Indiglo backlight on it is superb....and the chronograph itself is a damn fine watch.
I literally own more expensive, "nicer" watches (ie Bulova, Seiko, etc.), but *I-JUST-CANNOT-GET-AWAY-FROM* my Casios & Timex's... They're like guilty little pleasures. In fact, my favorite 'house watch' (because its both comfortable & easy to read in the dark) is my Black Timex Expedition Camper "Fast Wrap"... and I've even "replaced" it with a much better quality, yet similar look & size black face, Victorianox Swiss Army field watch!! *Somebody save me! 🙊🙉🙈
Love it! Such a bargain for a very character-full watch. Love Casio as a brand. I'm a child of the 80s and these little digital numbers always remind me of that era, all have a certain retro vibe about them. Great to see a non G-Shock Casio review and at that price I maybe tempted 💷👍
That's exactly how I feel about my F91-W and my early 80s Pulsar with the exact same rubbish backlight (and that one was probably way more expensive considering some of its specs back then). It's kinda part of the charm.
Yea I like them both equal but for my job the a168 is more useful. I deliver food and when it's night and dark I need to see the time sometimes, and I don't want a ticket for looking on my phone (or using it). So the a168 is a little more practical because with the a158 or F91-W I only see half of the time.
I have a special feeling every time I see these watches. Growing up in the 70's and 80's, these, or at least look-a-likes were the essence of coolness. My buddy had one of those, and I had a wee manual winding boys-watch. Of course any watches (or should I say, any clothes and any accessories) did not hold up very well in those days - we were climbing hills, building small huts in the forest and doing other activities after school which are probably considered survivalist today :) I am sure you also remember those days with fondness. Thanks for a dedicated review of this watch, which usually is the part of multi-watch reviews - it surely brought back memories :) See you around.
For me 4 watches are legendary: Rolex Submariner Omega Speedmaster Seiko 007 Casio F-91W This is fundamentally a steel and illuminator version of the F-91W
Casio addict here. With the daylight savings time I had to adjust about 12 or 13 Casio watches. The only one that held perfect time down to the second was this A168 model. I was surprised the two non-atomic gshock models were over a minute off but the $18 “dad watch” A168 was rockin.
This is my favorite of the retro Casio lineup because of the colorful face and because of the light that works on the entire watch face. And the size, of course. Right now I wear the A-164 and occasionally the A158 because of its icon status, but the A168 will always be my favorite. So glad to see this video of my favorite retro Casio.
I was wearing my A168 @ work one evening (I work front desk @ a Hilton property) where guests often arrive wearing Tissos, Omegas, Breitlings, Rolexs, etc. In comes a guest, obviously "successful" in life, and he got SO excited to see my "80s Retro Digital"-- kinda threw me off a little, tbh. I guess they (the A168, not the guest) still hold some panache after all these years... lol! 😎 Another fond memory: it was 1986, and it was an F-91W (or else its look-a-like predecessor-- not sure now) that use to wake me up @ 4am, in US Army basic training, so I could actually get a hot shower before all my fellow recruits got up & used it all... It was a faithful companion then, and it still is today! Lol *Edited to say- I've researched it since I posted this comment and the Casio I'm remembering (fondly) was an F-89- indeed an F-91w predecessor!* lol!
If you've got a F-91W, you've got an A158 with chrome plated case and stainless band plus the worthless backlight. The A168 EL backlight was the clincher for me.
I have had this one for the last 10 years. Its a keeper, will never sell it. Love its retro charm, and as you say its a horological grounding piece for me to. I shall wear it tomorrow............
Exactly 1 year after you posted this review. So I bought one today. Had the F91W as a kid back in the 80's, my first Casio to be exact. Thanks for the push. You have an interestingly awesome channel. Great reviews and guides. Looking forward to upcomings and others.
Coincidence - I just bought an F91W yesterday :) .... I’m a hardcore mechanical watch lover but these Casio’s are just impossible not to love 💕.. already got my eye on the DW5600BB
Along with a Seiko 5 this is my go to watch! Apart from the usual Casio form and function - love the retro look! Absolute bargain. Great video..more Casio reviews please 😁
Got to love a Casio. I own 6. The only one that I disliked was the Forster. Too small for an advertised 40 mm, and didn’t even last a year. My WaveCepter, G-Shock, and Tough Solar are all flawless. As work horse timepieces, they are hard to beat (literally!).
I had a watch very similar to one of these when I was in high school. I loved it. But after a year or so, the metal effect paint had worn off where my sleeve rubbed against it. Great as a beater or occasional wear, but don't expect the finish to last.
@6:10, just looks fantastic! Retro/Vintage/Nostalgic... it's a bit of everything. I owned many Casios in the 90s and 00s, but I stopped wearing watches about 10 years ago. I felt my phone sort of did the job. I've ordered this one and the B640WB last week. Can't wait to get my hands on them.
That takes me back to when i was 5 years old, my dad gave me one, i guess he was not much of a watch guy. I loved it, the beeping on the hour and the alarm beeping chime, kept me quite amused. Good to be a kid in 80's. Would have been better to be a teenager then i think😉
Own a Casio Royale and love it. Just watching this on my iPad and ordering one on my phone. Cracking little thing. Cheers big ears, great stuff, as always.
I think the Casio bleep is as recognisable as the Nokia ringtone. An interesting feature I have noted on an analogue Casio of mine is the stepping motion of the minute hand. Just as the second hand ticks from one second to the next the minute hand points at the current hand until the minute has expired and it 'ticks' pointing to the next minute.
Found this little guy sold at Walmart here in the States- at $20 after tax it couldn't help but 'magically' leap into my shopping trolley. Came with different packaging (blue cardboard, black plastic) and is stamped "Made in Thailand", but otherwise identical. Thanks for the explanation about the strap adjustment latch, this is my first Casio that didn't have a band with holes in it, so I was a little gobsmacked how to fit it. I love the F91W for a slender daily driver (I don't have huge wrists, other G-Shocks look quite chunky on me) but this one will be useful when I need something a bit 'dressier' and need the EL for night time! Excellent channel. Cheers!
No other watch brand provides better value for money. Casio is the Benefit-cost ratio champion! I got my first Casio a few months ago. After a long time waiting, I got the GMW-B5000. And Wow, what a great watch!
If I'm reading that correctly, your first Casio was the GMW-B5000? That's a hell of a chance to take on a brand that you have no history with. Just curious... Which variant did you get?
I recently bought a copy a168 all metal with the same functions with just a bit decal printed tilted works really fine and I found it in a black metal finish
wish I had gotten this one over the A158 now. I do prefer the sleeker dial of the A158, makes it look more classy. But it is very small, I now think the A168 'pops' more.
Brilliant! I made a video a few months back pitting this watch against the F91W and I love it, but I've recently made the move to flip it with the release of the A168WEM. The new aesthetics are just the most beautifully minimalist version of a digital Casio a man could hope for. Cheers!
I wear my little automatic (SEIKO SNKL45) every day, great watch BTW. A year or two ago my mates 6 year old lad commented on my little F91w and I decided to make him smile and tell him he could keep it. (it's now wrapped around the handlebars of his dirt bike, those little things are indestructible 😂) I've been missing it lately, after watching this though I've just bought one of these instead. I'll probably end up buying buying another F91w down the line because they're so cheap right enough. Looking forward to seeing the postman tomorrow now 😂
Hi, brilliant update. I love these Casio watches. Fantastic value for money. A real nostalgia fest. I have several. Almost pushed the button on this one on Amazon UK until I saw the B640WB-1BEF on offer at £38.66. Obviously a little more expensive but love the black metal bracelet and negative display, which is something I wanted to give a try. It also has the rather cool flashing alarm display option. So a bit of a no brainer at this price point imho. Cheers guys.
35 years later... Still working fine and the Patina is amacing! Not a single scratch on the glas but the piezo speaker did not like the ultra sonic wash so no more alarm sadly. Do I recomend this watch.. Yes!! get it as it will probably last your lifetime and make a great handmedown due to its bang 4 buck!
I just bought the iluminator. I grew up on the 80s and this watch is part of my life. I paid close to $ 17.00 but even if it cost more I will still definitely buy that beautiful piece of history.
as a christsmas-gift to myself, I bought a A168WEM, baiscally the same watch but with a negative dial and a monochrome face. Looks brilliant I think, however for this alternate flavour they charge some 36€ here in Germany...well, still worth it, looks less like something for a child (though I love my F91W nevertheless) Great review as always, Jody!
Great review. I had a Casio F-105W-1a. I attempted to replace the battery and bent the retainer clip so bad I had to trash the watch. I purchased another for $17 from Amazon.
BackspaceRubin I used to wear it at mu job but I had a few strap breaks and a movement failure. I then started wearing a G-Shock DW-5600-1E, besides a Bezel replacement and 1 battery change, still working.
I have this one for one and a half years and I love it. I am planning to buy an A163 in the near future. It has that rubbish back light, like the A158, but the design of that watch in my opinion is one of the best in the Casio lineup.
I love this watch but it looks like a button on my wrist. I gifted this to my mom for Christmas and she loved it. Looks perfect on her. I wear the newer W-217h, it looks much better on my wrist.
Casio re-released these under the "Vintage Collection" line last year. Physically, it's the same watch but it comes with a black metal bracelet, gold case, and a negative display (you can find them at Macy's by their G-Shock display). I hate to admit that I paid 5x more for mine ($75) but I love it and wear it almost daily. Also, there were variants with a camouflage-patterned case that sells for about $30 (EU only release I think.)
PS: Got one in all gold for my dad too. He wore one for nearly 20yrs and it finally died. These things were built like tanks with an impressive 10yr battery life!!
10/26 Casio. Three are AE-1000, Two are AE-1200, and one each of DW-5600, SGW-500H, HDA-600, F-105 and F-91W. The next brand I have multiples of is Timex with five.
Ditch the Bracelet an custom cut a 22mm Zulu to these little Workers, Haha, makes them look an feel more substantial. Weird coincidence is, i just received an A158 and performed the above yesterday? A158 Diver,,, Ahaha. Beauty JOMW, your posts are Brilliant.
It would be nice if more Casios had this electroluminescent lighting, like Timex does with its many Indiglo models. I use my watches often after dark so it matters to me.
Love Casio's, these watches fulfill the three B's in Spanish (Bueno, Bonito y Barato) which translated it's good, pretty and cheap. I can't miss one review of you. Greetings and love from the antipodes, Spain.
Sort of unrelated but I've joined the Vostok Cult as well. 420 case, 658 dial, arkustine custom bezel with a black seiko insert, and I've taken to wearing it on an extra thick mesh bracelet. Now I'm considering a Komandirskie for an everyday field watch.
I got the watch about a week ago I was able to size the bracelet with a paperclip finally. But now I find because of the two-piece connection I have been able to not able to put on my wrist because gravity gravity comes in and says that try to line up it falls apart. I think I'd rather have the inconvenience of changing link two hands to snap it shut. I recently ordered a another bracelet that has a magnetic Fastener and I hope that solves the problem. It's a nice little watch especially for the money if I could only get it to go on my wrist.😎
I had a tan plastic red LED watch from Texas Instruments in 1977. I know I loved it because I pressed the buttons so much that the battery had to be replaced within six months.
My everyday is a W800-H and couldn’t decide to get the A159 or A168. I am happy that I went 168. I think the 159 may have felt a tad too small and am very pleased with my choice. I do wish the light button was reversed on the right hand side but great watch overall.
Here I am again. First, thanks for the great review. I have several Casios and this is one of them. I have to say that I do like the A158 better. Small wrist issue. I really like the backlight on the 168 but it seems to sit too high of of my wrist. Thanks again.
Great watch. I wanted one when i was a child, bought one few years ago and was happy first. But it pulled my hair because of the metal bracelet. It was to annoying and so i gave it away. Now i'm using a complete black g-shock 5600 bb and i'm fully satisfied with it. Also not to big, more robust, the glass doesn't scratches as easy as a acryl glass and imo it looks cool.
