Casio Collection Men's Watch AE-1200WH

Likes:It's another inexpensive Casio that totally lives up to expectations.It's every bit as easy to operate as any other piece from Casio's budget range.Unlike some of the less costly Casios, it's blessed with a 100m/10 bar water resistance. I've never met a Casio that couldn't at least match the stated figure, this one is likely to exceed the 100 metres as its construction is similar to some of the 200m models.Its looks are obviously not going to please everyone, but if the appearance of this watch pleases you then buy one, safe in the knowledge that it will last and remain reliable for many years to come.The quality of the LCD stands very close scrutiny and in this respect, you'd struggle to find better. The display is crisp, extremely clear and its backlights benefit from an adjustable duration, hence my being able to photograph it with the light active. Should you not want it to remain lit for 1, 2 or 3 seconds, then you can simply set it to illuminate only when the pusher is held in.The watch is light, comfortable on my tiny wrist and - love 'em or loathe 'em - these Casio pressed out bracelets are incredibly easy to size. Be aware that the initial adjustment will need a tad more effort but it's an easy task using only the sort of equipment found in most basic household tool sets or sewing kits.Dislikes:You're joking, right? At the price and given how good that display is, most will forgive the plastic watch head, but if you want solid stainless steel then be prepared to spend many times more of your hard earned.OK then, being as objective as someone with my large collection of Casios can be, the "World Time" and "Illuminator" print above and below the watch face isn't necessary in my opinion and some may consider its presence an interruption of the clean, crisp lines. But seriously, I had to think about offering this detail as a "dislike," and for me it's just part of the charm of the piece which is very, very good at its job and immensely likeable.Now buy one, it's a must for any collector who doesn't yet own one and a darned good watch which represents great value and the promise of a long, reliable life.Thanks for reading this, I'll be posting another product review soon.Take care, stay safe,JayeBee

The media could not be loaded. One of the things you've gotta talk about when talking about watches, is the cost of getting into the game. A lot of us get interested in watches well in advance of actually being able to afford most of them – I happened to be in graduate school when I got bitten by the watch bug; we'd just had our first kid and we didn't have a proverbial pot to piss in, but what we did have was a computer and internet access, which meant fast and easy access to a whole universe of things both desirable and completely unaffordable. Though I started out mostly interested in history and the physics of precision timekeeping, it wasn't long before I began hankering for something modern. It's interesting to think about what one's first "good" watch really was, because "good" and "expensive" definitely don't stand in direct relationship to each other, and though the insane spike in prices for both vintage and new watches over the last ten or so years tends to obscure that fact, it doesn't mean that there aren't wonderful watches out there for the asking – some of which you can almost literally acquire with change recovered from in between the sofa cushions.I remember being very fond of a Casio G-Shock that I got in 1986 – it has shed its band and the outer resin case is long gone, but I still have it – and the beauty of such watches is that even if fortune smiles upon you as you move through life, and you find a bit more gold clinking in your purse and can afford something more expensive, and more conventionally fine, you will never regret that first purchase. My own early experience with the Casio G-Shock, far from being something I try to forget, has instead inculcated in me a lifelong love of G-Shocks in particular, and Casio in general, for letting me have a rollicking good time horologically at a period in my life when buying a bag of dried beans required thoughtful evaluation of my carefully husbanded financial assets.Another utterly fantastic wristwatch made by Casio, is this one: the AE1200WH-1A World Timer. I have been admiring it in a desultory fashion for many years, and the other night, fueled by free-floating melancholy and a judicious titration of Russian Standard, I decided to splurge on one.I don't know exactly when this watch was introduced, but the technology is certainly contemporaneous with the G-Shock – 10 year lithium battery, LCD display, reliable quartz timing package and the ability to display the time in all 31 time zones around the world. Its design appears to be derived from, or at least related to, the Casio F-91W, which came out in 1991 and is also still in production; both watches are in the Classic Collection. There is also a countdown timer, stopwatch, five daily alarms, and on-demand backlight, as well as an analog LCD display that always shows home time, and, for a wonder, even displays running seconds.The really delicious feature of the watch is the world map display – this is found right above the main digital display of the time, and the current local time zone is in black. If you're on the road, selecting the local time zone is an absolute piece of cake; you just go to World Time mode with the Mode button (unlike many digital watches, operation of the AE1200WH-1A is very intuitive and once you get a basic sense of how to make your way around the four control buttons, you won't be screwed if you lose the manual) and then use the button labeled Search to select the right time zone.This allows you, if you are curious, to observe some interesting things about how time zones are organized, such as the fact that all of China observes a single time zone (UTC + 8:00).I can't put this watch on without vivid memories of a time in horology when this sort of tech represented absolutely the last word in practical and functional timekeeping technology, long before terms like "tropical dial" and "ghost bezel" had arisen, to trouble the world. Besides, as mid-life crisis purchases go (although you don't have to be wracked with todesangst to buy one, several of my younger H. colleagues bought one after seeing mine) this is one heck of a lot cheaper than a sports car – a cheery, guilt free, surprisingly beautiful and moving

I recently purchased the Casio AE-1200WH, and it has quickly become my go-to watch for everyday use. The sleek design, combined with a wealth of features, makes this watch an exceptional value.The resin case and strap are lightweight and durable, providing comfort and longevity. The digital display is clear, with a retro-futuristic look that adds charm.The AE-1200WH includes world time with 31 time zones, an LED backlight, five daily alarms, a 1/100-second stopwatch, a countdown timer, and 100 meters of water resistance. The 10-year battery life is impressive and convenient.Ease of Use: The buttons are well-placed and responsive, making it easy to navigate through modes and settings.Combining functionality, durability, and style at an affordable price, the Casio AE-1200WH offers exceptional value for money.Overall, the Casio AE-1200WH is a versatile and reliable watch, perfect for travel, sports, or daily wear. Highly recommended!

I loved this watch, it was great for timing things, but there is a design floor as the casing is plastic when the strap is stainless steel. As a result it broke after several years, and didn’t last as long as the 10 year battery life.