The 5 Casio Watches You’ll Reach for More Than Any Others

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Long before people started checking notifications on their wrists and trying to memorize the latest gesture controls, Casio figured out that a watch only needed to be three things: reliable, durable, and timeless.

Remember the Casio CA-53W—aptly nicknamed "the one with the calculator"—strapped to Walter White's wrist in the early seasons of Breaking Bad? Or the Casio AE1200WH, affectionately nicknamed the "Casio Royale" by enthusiasts for its spy-inspired design and world-time display? Some things never go out of style.

The rabbit hole of watches can go as deep as your wallet is willing to let it, but not every great timepiece has to cost a few months' rent. As someone who owns multiple Casios—and whose first watch was a $20 digital Casio that somehow survived everything I threw at it—I've put together five models that I think capture everything the brand does best while enhancing just about any outfit.

The Every Day Field Watch: Casio MTPS120L: $110.26 

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A field watch is one of the most versatile timepieces anyone can own. Originally designed for military use, field watches prioritize legibility and durability over flashy complications, keeping the design clean and practical. This is exactly why field watches such as the Casio MTPS120L have become such dependable everyday companions.

The military-inspired design has been updated for modern versatility. A solar-powered movement, 100 meters of water resistance, and an easy-to-read dial make it a timepiece you'll forget to take off because it becomes an extension of your everyday life. I enjoy pairing it with dark denim and leather boots for a weekend out of the city just as readily as I'd wear it with chinos and an Oxford shirt at the office.  

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The Vintage Dress Watch: Casio AQ-230A: $39.55 

Vintage dress watches have slim profiles and an understated elegance that easily competes with today's larger, intentionally bold timepieces, proving that bigger isn't always better. Some readers accustomed to modern watches may find its proportions a bit small, but that's what makes the Casio AQ-230A such an underrated gem. Restraint and simplicity are its superpower.

Vintage style should never feel outdated. Its polished stainless steel bracelet, rectangular case, and analog-digital display strike a balance between retro charm and timeless design. I'd wear it with a linen shirt on a summer evening, a lightweight merino sweater with corduroys in the fall, or even a navy sports coat on a date when I don't want to look like everyone else. 

The Modern All-Rounder: Casio G-Shock GA-2100-1AER: $109.99

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Modern sports watches are built for daily wear, which is exactly why they've become the default choice for anyone who wants one watch that can do just about everything. The Casio GA-2100 takes everything that made the G-Shock famous and wraps it in one of the cleanest designs the brand has ever produced.

I still remember attending a G-Shock event where they dropped one from the rafters as a final impact test. We all looked down, expecting the worst. The G-Shock team picked it up, brushed it off, and it kept ticking as nothing had happened. Between its carbon fiber-reinforced construction, 200 meters of water resistance, and signature octagonal profile, it's just as comfortable with an Oxford shirt, tailored chinos, and white leather sneakers as it is with a T-shirt and black denim.

The Adventure Watch: Casio MDV106: $107.26

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Dive watches no longer belong solely beneath the waves. Originally designed for scuba divers, they were built to withstand harsh conditions without sacrificing style. With a unidirectional dive bezel, a black resin strap that won't absorb water, and 200 meters of water resistance, the Casio MDV106 is equipped to handle whatever you throw at it—even if your deepest dive is into the hotel pool.

I often admire the silver marlin above the 6 o'clock marker. As a scuba diver myself, I appreciate the adventurous spirit it brings to the watch. Pair it with a linen camp-collar shirt and tailored shorts for a day by the coast, or roll up your sleeves with an Oxford shirt, chinos, and loafers for dinner by the marina.

The Definitive Digital Watch: Casio A158WA: $28.99

Even decades after its debut, the Casio A158WA remains one of the most recognizable watches ever made. Passing trends be damned, it's lightweight, nostalgic, and refreshingly free of the excess that defines so many modern watches. And yes, pressing the little green backlight button never seems to get old. 

It has a chrome-finished case, stainless steel bracelet, stopwatch, and daily alarm. Top it off with its signature green backlight, these are reminders that the basics are often all you need. I'd wear it with a white T-shirt, straight-leg jeans, and canvas sneakers on a lazy Sunday, or throw it on with a hoodie before grabbing a coffee. A watch like this was designed to fit into almost every routine and look.