CasioWave Ceptor Men's Analogue Digital Quartz Watch

Initial review after 1 weekFor me to purchase (yet) another watch it had to be a watch that was like a Swiss Army Knife, one that had all the functions I wanted on one watch, I had all the items on my wish list covered over a variety of other watches but not all in the one place (apart from my old faithful Casio Waveceptor watch has far less days in front of it than behind it.).Needs/Wants included:- Ideally an analog display + digital if necessary to cover functions- Easy to read- No batteries to worry about, OK this was a want not a need- Easy to read stop watch to 1/10th sec (1/100 sec preferred)- A known make- Personal alarm, not a wake the nation alarm- Good luminescence of hands or ideally a light- Count down timer, OK another want not a need.- Slim metal case and band- Radio controlled sync of time- World time for when I'm travelling- and finally UNDERSTATED designWell it took many (OK not THAT many) years to come up with a watch that met the above, and I found it by accident on Amazon. The watch face is large but understated, the digital display does not scream "I'm a techie from planet Technerd" but is also understated but is also easy to read in most lighting conditions, it could be said that the digital display hides well in the analog watch face. There is a model available without the negative digital display that would be easier to read but for me it does not fit with the classical face of this version.It's a slim watch as well,, solar powered so no need to keep up with battery changes.It syncs with the radio clocks in more countries than I'm likely to visit for extended periods, a stop watch to 1/100 sec, a count down timer, world time and it can even tickle a little glow worm into action to illuminate the analog display once the luminosity has given up on the hands, sadly not the digital display. It also has world time.Strap adjustment should be easy with the right tools, a jeweler should be able to do it in 10 minutes for about a fiver. Anyone doing it at home must be careful not to loose the small friction tube that sits in the middle of the link that stops the pins falling out.Build quality is good and even has synthetic sapphire glass although the bracelet does sometimes snag a wrist hair. The buttons are small but usable, no winder to dig into the wrist either. Setting up is easy if you follow the instructions, mine was delivered showing the time in Paris but this was easily changed. Charging was pretty quick in a few hours on the windowsill. Given the relative slimness and functions of the watch I'm not sure that it would function for many months in the dark though unlike my Citizen watches that can go for a year living in a tunnel but they are more bulky or with less features.Other points are that the hands are correctly calibrated to the second and minute markers just like my other analog Casio Edifice watch (something that most watch manufacturers should learn from), The manual covers everything and not just a quick start then get on the web like some premium brands I will not name do. It's also water resistant although nothing really deep, I take mine off for washing up or in the shower, it should be more than fine in a storm though assuming that you are not at the bottom of a lake.So far I am very happy with it. Well done Casio! For once a stainless steel analogue watch that can hold it's own against more premium brands including the Casio Edifice range. My previous Casio watches were plastic cased with a plastic strap. This is not a cheap watch though, it punches well above its price point for looks, features and style.I have had more Casio watches and calculators in my fifty years on this ball and none has ever failed due to poor workmanship although straps have come and gone and gone again.I will update this review as time goes on should it change from the above.

I have had many watches including a £3000 Rolex and looked at hundreds at up to £700 before choosing the Casio. So far I would say that this is the best everyday watch I have ever owned and represents fantastic value for money. All of its foibles are minor and most are consequences of pragmatic design decisions that make the watch what it is. I also considered the Casio WVA-M640D-2AER at around £100 but it had a couple of features that I thought problematic for a watch that will be worn 24/7. If I hadn't have found this model I would have gone for the cheaper one and if I had to choose between the Casio and my Rolex then I would choose the Casio in a heart beat. Highly RecommendedPROSSTYLEIf you like understated and elegant watches then this one fits the bill.I like the classic analogue watch combined with a high tech LCD display that does not detract from the overall look of the watch.The three side buttons are nicely recessed so maintain the slim and stylish looks of the watch.SIZE AND COMFORTVery slim for a watch considering the technology. I considered the Tissot T-Touch range but they are massively bulky in comparison.I have a thin wrist at about 19cm and it fits perfectly with the face being about as much as the width of my wrist can take without looking bulky.The Casio sits very flat on my wrist and its surprisingly light in fact you easily forget it is there.The strap clasp is very effective and sits flat when closed.BUILD QUALITYThe case and strap are titanium and the finish looks impressive.From what I had read it seemed that the lower price Casio model had a part plastic body, which I wasn't too sure about.It is true that the hands actually match up with the decals, something that my Rolex didn’t do and it just makes you feel that Casio are dedicated to accuracy.Has an anti reflective synthetic sapphire crystal that should make it highly scratch resistant and is one of the reason I chose this model over the cheaper version.The watch hands and decals fluoresce in the dark but the delicacy means there is little surface area so the effect only lasts for an hour or so in the dark. However there is a back light that works quite well.Waterproof to 5 Bar which should be fine for showers and baths.FIT AND FORGET TECHNOLOGYTaking the watch out of its package it immediately woke up and the hands whirled around to synchronise with the atomic clock signal, unfortunately it was for the wrong city but a in a few seconds I adjusted it to London and it corrected itself.The battery had a medium charge but exposing it to a sunny day for a couple of hours charged it to full power.As it also has a programmed calendar and British summer time it never needs adjusting or battery changes.FUNCTIONALITYWith 5 day alarms, stopwatch, countdown timer, and world time for 300 cities and a back light it is a high functioning watch.USABILITYThe manual is very small and thick and could be carried around in a pocket, which is good because for the first few days you may need it.With only three buttons and many functions it is quite a complex watch to use, however Casio have been very clever and consistent in the use of the buttons so it doesn't take long for the setting of functions to become intuitive.VALUE FOR MONEYTerrific given looks, build quality, functionality and the technology.CONSClassic styling may not suite all.Finish. I assume there is a black coating on the strap that may scratch. Only time will tell.LCD display is quite dim for aesthetic reasons and some people with sight issues may have problems reading it.Would like to be able to have specified specific days for a couple of the day alarms.The alarm signal is not loud enough to use as a reliable wake up call and it could benefit from a vibration option.Unless you have the right tools the bracelet needs adjusting by a Jeweller unlike the cheaper version, for which it is apparently much easier to remove links.Some may consider Casio to be the Skoda of the watch world and associate it with cheaper and nastier products, where in reality they may be relatively cheap, but are a million miles from nasty (just like Skoda).Only 5 bar waterproof. I prefer overkill when it comes to waterproofing and would have liked 10 Bar but this may have required a domed glass and bulkier buttons and spoilt the looks of the watch.The very small manual may be difficult to read for some, but there is an online version.Small point but if it’s a gift for someone then the tin (yes it is just a small tin) it comes in is not the most lush looking presentation box, although it is fine as packaging.

This watch really is zero maintenance. Set it to the appropriate time zone, and there is nothing more to do. I was initially somewhat put off by the exhortations in the instructions to make sure that the watch is not obscured by the cuff of one's shirt or jacket in order to make sure it receives adequate sunlight. I envisioned the battery running down all the time and having to leave it on the window ledge in the sun; however, this proved not to be necessary. The watch arrived in a medium state of charge; once it charged itself to high, I wore it as normal, making no attempt to give it extra sunlight, and the charge level has remained high, even wearing it in bed at night, where it infallibly picks up the radio signal from beneath the bed clothes. The watch also has a premium look. The only reason for taking a star off is that the digital readout is difficult to see unless you're looking straight down at it in good light, and if you regularly use the digital functions this might be a deal breaker for you.