Scale: 36.3 mm case
Casio
Vintage A168
A168WA-1YES
$40
Everyday, office, travel
The A168 is the cheapest watch here that still feels considered. A metal bracelet, a chrome look case and a full face electroluminescent backlight make it read clearly in the dark where the F91W light barely registers. It keeps the same stopwatch, alarm and seven year battery as its cheaper sibling, wears thin at under 10 mm, and passes at the office as easily as on a weekend. For around forty euros it is the honest answer to anyone asking where to start.
A full face backlight and steel bracelet for the price of lunch.
Specifications
| Diameter | 36.3 mm |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 9.6 mm |
| Lug to lug | 38.6 mm |
| Lug width | 18 mm |
| Case | Resin with chrome plated finish, steel caseback |
| Crystal | Acrylic |
| Movement | Quartz |
| Calibre | 3298 |
| Accuracy | +/- 30 s per month (official, per retailer spec sheets) |
| Strap | Steel bracelet |
Pros
- Bright, even backlight across the whole display
- Steel bracelet and retro chrome look
- Seven year battery, stopwatch and alarm
- Thin and light on any wrist
Cons
- Resin case feels plasticky up close
- Bracelet can pull arm hair
- Splash resistant only, not for swimming
Rivals
Casio F91W, Casio A700W, Casio A158WA
What owners say
Forum owners call it the better looking upgrade over the F91W, mainly for the backlight, and many say it became their most worn watch. Recurring complaints are the light resin case, a bracelet that tugs hair, a quiet alarm and fakes in circulation, so buy from an authorised seller.
Sources
- casio.com Official
- timeshop24.com Official
- twobrokewatchsnobs.com Review · Community review of the A168WA
- teddybaldassarre.com Review
- teddybaldassarre.com Review · Included in best watches under 100 dollars
- watchuseek.com Forum
- watchuseek.com Forum · F91W vs A168 comparison thread
- watchcrunch.com Forum · Owner describes it as their most worn watch
- watchcrunch.com Forum
Some figures could not be verified: Casio pages could not be fetched, so specs come from dealer sheets that use Casio's format. Water resistance is listed as splash resistant only, so it is left null. No Reddit thread surfaced in search; forum sources used instead.