In a world saturated with expensive, feature-overloaded watches, Casio's AE-1200WH is a masterpiece of affordable yet functional watch design. The 2012 model has world time, multiple alarms, a stopwatch, countdown timer, and 10 years of battery life, all for $30, which is quite commendable in this day and age .
Watches are often associated with style, luxury and sometimes even status. However, it happens from time to time that a timepiece emphasizes practicality and function while preserving the “aesthetic” aspect. The Casio AE-1200WH watch, affectionately called the “Casio Royale,” does just that, while maintaining a price tag of around $30 ($40 for some variants). This is a budget-friendly watch that doesn't skimp on essential features, putting it in a category of its own.
Retro design and head-turning features
First released in 2012, the AE-1200WH quickly gained popularity thanks to its versatile feature set and affordable price. Its design, with a digital display and a small analog dial, was inspired by the world of espionage, which earned it the nickname “Casio Royale” because of its resemblance to the Seiko G757 https://www .jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/seiko-g757-5020-sports-100 worn in the film Octopussy of James Bond. Over the years, the watch has remained largely unchanged.
The AE-1200WH is equipped with:
- Universal time
- Stopwatch
- Countdown
- Multiple alarms
- battery life: 10 years
These are features typically found in more expensive watches. Take the Timex Expedition Grid Shock ( ) for example. Priced around $70, it has a similar feature set, including alarms and timers, with a rugged aesthetic to boot. However, for almost twice the price, you're mostly paying for aesthetics, rather than a major step forward in functionality.
A watch that has almost everything right
Despite its retro appearance, the AE-1200WH doesn't really feel dated. Sure, you can pay more and get advanced features like GPS, fitness tracking, and more, but for a daily user who simply needs reliable timing, alarms, and of world time, these functions may seem exaggerated.
The design of the Casio is reminiscent of classic digital watches from the 1980s. The resin case and strap make the watch light and comfortable, while the well-organized digital display provides easy access to all essential information. From a usage standpoint, its interface is quite intuitive, making it accessible even to those who are not tech-savvy.
The LED backlight may not be the most sophisticated, unlike Casio's newer LED technology “Super Illuminatorde Casio, but it gets the job done when you're fumbling around in the dark. Let's also not forget that this watch boasts a battery life of 10 years thanks to its CR2025 battery. Additionally, with a water resistance of 100 meters, it is equipped for swimming and other aquatic activities, although it is not a watch. diving.
Although the watch isn't exactly a desk item, there are plenty of alternatives. Casio has launched the slightly more expensive AE-1200WHL-5AV watch, which features a sleek leather strap. If you're not a fan of leather straps, the AE-1200WHD-1AV is also available with a metal strap (again, at a slightly higher price – $42.95, although the watch can be had for $27 $.50 on Amazon right now). If you're looking for a slightly different design in a similar format, the Casio WS-1600H-1AV watch https://www.casio.com/in/watches/casio/product.WS-1600H-1AV/ might be right for you. And yes, all of the aforementioned models are priced at $40 or less.
Why do people love it?
So what is it? Why is this watch apparently loved by so many people, as evidenced by the hundreds of consumer reviews on online forums (such as Reddit)? Quite simply because the AE-1200WH is reliable, original and equipped with functions that far exceed its price. Plus, there's something inherently fun about wearing a watch that looks a little different. It's a topic of conversation. And let's be honest, it's just cool to have a “world clock” on your wrist, even if you just track time zones for fun. The Casio AE-1200WH doesn't try to compete with luxury brands or even mid-range watches. She just does what she wants.
In a world dominated by consumerism, the classic “Casio Royale” proves that you don't have to spend a lot to get something exceptional. And that is perhaps his greatest triumph.
Translator: Ninh Ngoc Duy – Editorial Assistant – 459156 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2008
