Casio AE1200 "World Time"
- Spencer R.
- Mar 3
- 3 min read
The Casio AE1200 World Time, affectionately dubbed the "Casio Royale" by enthusiasts, is a digital watch that masterfully combines functionality, durability, and affordability. Casio has been a class leader in digital watches since its entrance in 1974 and the company quickly became a pioneer in digital timekeeping, introducing features such as a multi-function alarms, world time, and solar power. Over the decades, Casio has continued to affordable design with rugged dependability.
The Ae1200 exhibits a retro-futuristic aesthetic, reminiscent of 1980's digital watch design, offering a dose of nostalgia. Its design has drawn comparisons to the Seiko G757 Sports 100, famously worn by Roger Moore's James Bond in "Octopussy" leading to its "Casio Royale" nickname. The watches rectangular face and multi-functional display exude utilitarian charm that appeals to both gadget enthusiasts and those seeking a distinctive timepiece.
Featuring a 39.5mm case thats 12.5mm thick, its a nice balance between presence and comfort on the resit. The resign case and plastic strap ensures a lightweight feel, which means you can wear this watch all day and not even notice it. While the resin case is standard Casio equipment, some users opt for aftermarket modifications, replacing the resin case with stainless steel for a more premium look. My opinion, those aftermarket steel cases actually look cheaper than EOM Casio.
The digital display is thoughtfully organized into distinct sections, providing clear access to the various world time functions. The primary lower display is a digital time display, also showing the day ad date. Above to the right, a world map highlighting the selected time zone. There are four preset timezones that allow for easy switch between cities, and selecting which four time zones out of the 31 options you would like is easy. The last display is my favorite, its a digital homage to the analog clock, with a round dial including hour and minute hand ticks, and a second hand that ticks away just like your grandpas Timex. The display light is wonderful, and can be set to stay on for either 1 second or 3, which is a cool small design feature that allows for a simple adjustment that makes using the illumination feature easier to use. All times, days, and dates are pre-programmed until 2099, so if you bought one this year, good news, you have a working watch for the next 74 years.
Boasting a water resistance of 100 meters (10 bar), the AE1200 is suitable for various water-related activies, including swimming or snorkeling. While not part of Casio's G-Shock line, the AE1200 still offers commendable shock resistance. Equipped with an acrylic crystal, its more prone to scratches than a sapphire crystal, but the acrylic keeps everything light and cheap. Wear and tear on the watch is expected, let it happen. Its a natural part of the watches life.
Inside the watch you will find a Casio digital quartz movement, renowned for its accuracy and low maintenance requirements. A standout feature is the AE1200s impressive 10-year battery life, the extended power reserve means you are much more likely to either lose or break your AE1200 bef0re the battery runs out. I am currently on month 6 of a 10 year Casio AE1200 battery test review. Stay tuned for future results.
The Casio AE1200 World Time is an exceptional digital watch for its price, packed with useful features and distinctive design. Overall this model is one of my favorite Casios, offering a unique and retro look at a modest price tag of $25. There are some very cool customization options out there, and you will occassionally see some models listed for sale on my "listings" page.
Pros: The best budget-friendly digital watch option, 31 time zones available at once, a 10 year battery life, lightweight and comfortable, 100 meters of water resistance.
Cons: Resin case and acrylic crystal are prone to scratching, small buttons can be difficult to press at times, the LCD display can be difficult to read in certain lighting conditions.
Technical Data:
Movement type - Quartz Digital
Caliber - "Casio made"
Case Material - Resin
18mm Lug width
Crystal - Acrylic crystal
Water Resistance - 10 bar
