Casio F91W-1 Review & Complete Guide

Casio F91W-1 Review & Complete Guide

The Casio F91W-1 is the most popular digital watch in the whole world. And it’s easy to see why…

Looking at Amazon, you’ll see that this watch has more than 13K reviews, and thus substantially more sold pieces as not everyone leaves a review.

It’s safe to say that the Casio F91W-1 has today established itself as an icon. Its design is synonymous with Casio and reflects sportiness, durability, and a retro style.

But what is it that has allowed it to become one of the most, if not the most iconic digital watch in the world? In this article, that’s exactly what we are looking closer at.

Casio F91W-1 Review

The Casio F91W-1 has been around for about 30 years. This is an extremely long time for a watch to be in production, as manufacturers and brands have a tendency to replace or discontinue models on a regular basis.

But if you ask Casio, why change a winning concept? Today, the company makes about 3 million F91W-1 per year, so it’s easy to see why the brand does not feel any rush in discontinuing it.

The watch is simple, sporty, reliable, extremely affordable, and now also iconic. Because of its extremely affordable price, it’s simply a must-have watch in any collection either for daily wear, if you like, or just to have a rugged timepiece for the occasions where you are required to do hard work which may subject your watch to damage or harsh environments. It’s a watch that everyone can afford which makes it easily available. And if one breaks (which it won’t), you can simply replace it with a new one. After all, the watch costs almost as much as having a watchmaker replace its battery.

Chopping wood, swimming, building, hammering… This watch can handle it all. It’s the Nokia of watches. If you are unsure about this timepiece, it’s easy to order it home and give it a try. This watch is readily available for around 10-20 euros.

Worth having in mind is that this watch is all about performance. It is not built as a piece of jewelry or fashion accessory, although because of its iconic status, some people have started to wear it like one due to its classic look and coolness factor. Because whilst it is affordable and built as a tool, it has, because of its iconic status, become a respected timepiece. Remember, when it comes to watches, it’s not always about the price. It’s about history, design, stories, and craftsmanship.

Casio F91W-1 case

The watch is presented with a black rectangular resin case with a diameter of 34mm. It has a thickness of 8.5mm and a lug-to-lug of 38mm. The watch weighs in at only 20 grams which means that you will sometimes forget that it is on your wrist. It is equipped with stainless steel pushers – two on the left side and one on the right. These are small and button-shaped. Using the pushbuttons, you can toggle between the different functions of the watch.

Due to the small size of the case, it works for practically any wrist size, large or small, although people with large wrists may perceive it as rather small. If this is the case, Casio, fortunately, has a lot of other digital watches to choose from which may suit your taste.

Whilst resin is not exactly a fashion material, it is, as mentioned used for performance. The resin case makes it extremely tough and keeps it protected from shocks, bangs, and scratches.

Turning the watch around, you’ll notice a stainless steel case back with engraved specifications.

The watch only has a water resistance of 30m, which in practice only means splash-proof. However, it’s widely known that a lot of people do in fact wear this watch when doing everything – including showering and swimming, so you should be fine. If you want to take the risk, you can do so. After all, if it would fail and leak, you can easily replace it.

Casio F91W-1 ”dial”/screen

The Casio F91W-1 is a digital watch and therefore presented with an LCD display screen. The screen has received praise for being easy to read in most conditions.

Sitting on top of the case is an acrylic crystal. With that said, it will acquire scratches over time, but at this price point, we really cannot expect sapphire to be used.

Around the screen, it has a blue line that adds some color to the watch, as well as a few details which tell us which part of the screen relates to which functions, including light, alarm, chronograph, and mode. In addition, there is also some information about the specifications of the watch, such as water resistance.

A complaint about this watch that a lot of owners have is that the backlight is not very good. However, it does the job, which makes it possible to read the time even in the dark and in low-lit conditions.

Casio F91W-1 movement

The watch is powered by a quartz movement. It’s rather basic, but it is built to last and will continue to tick for years. It offers an impressive power reserve of 7 years.

Casio F91W-1 strap

The F91W-1 has an integrated black resin strap. The integrated design gives it a seamless look, but most importantly, it goes very well together with the design of the watch. Just like it is supposed to, the strap is rugged and durable, but also soft and comfortable to wear on the wrist.

Specifications

• Diameter: 34mm
• Lug-to-lug: 38mm
• Weight: 20 grams
• Depth: 8.5mm
• Water resistance: 30m
• Lug width: 18mm
• Case Material: Resin
• Movement: Casio digital 593 (quartz)
• Power reserve: 7 years

Conclusion

The Casio F91W-1 is a legendary and iconic watch. After decades of production, it has acquired an almost cult following due to its affordable price, distinct design, and of course practical usability.

At this price, you really cannot go wrong with this watch, and if it proves not to be a watch for you, it’s not the end of the world.

The watch has a lot of pros, but considering its price, it must have some downsides too.

Some may say that the design is a bit outdated, but by now, that has almost become the point of this watch. It is instantly recognizable and has a retro feel to it. Regardless if you plan on using it as your trusted daily companion, or simply want a durable watch that can take a beating when you are performing demanding activities, it is simply a great watch.

The Casio F91W-1 is available to order on Amazon.

Main photo by CRM Jewelers.