I have used my cell phone instead of a watch since about 2001. Decided to start wearing cheap, quartz watches again because I often find myself without my cell phone within reach at rehearsals, recording sessions, lawn-mowing, or work from home situations. Picked up a few Timexes and Casios around the same time. So far, I like this model the best for general use. The size of the time display is so easy to read that I have already started preferring it to comparable analog models. I will mostly be looking to buy digital watches like this with big, simple displays from now on.
I’m not James Bond, in spite of what you may have heard. I don’t want an expensive watch on my wrist that might make me a potential target for theft/robbery downtown or on a subway. If I get some paint on this one or it breaks while I’m trying to remove an oil filter, it would be no great loss.
Use is fairly intuitive and it hasn’t lost or gained time in the few weeks I’ve owned it, unlike a Timex expedition analog model I got at the same time. After only a couple of weeks, the analog Timex expedition has lost about ten seconds already, which I admit I was surprised by.
The only complaint I could possibly make about this watch is that the two LED’s are quite poor in comparison to Timex’s indiglo or the backlight used on much more expensive G-Shock models. But for how cheap and functional this model is, that is a completely unfair comparison. The lights work perfectly fine for me to see if I wake up in the middle of the night but can’t roll/reach over to check my phone due to a sleeping dog contorting my legs at the foot of the bed. Or if I fall asleep on the couch.
I have mostly avoided getting it wet up until now, but I did accidentally leave it in the bathroom with the shower running a couple of times and no condensation formed on the inside of the face at all even though there was plenty of water vapor in the room. I also leave it on when washing my hands with no ill-effects.
I’m very impressed by how simple and functional this watch is. These cheap, digitals are light years ahead of the Timex Ironman I owned as a kid. But it should be said- that $25-$35 Ironman I bought sometime around 1995 went body boarding, surfing, in the pool with me, and I showered with it on. That thing was basically water-PROOF and never had an issue in water less than 20ft. deep. I swam in Atlantic/East-Coast hurricanes with that thing and it even got tossed around in the salty surf with me. Also used it to time lap-swimming in Olympic-sized pools. I do not have the same confidence in this model, though I have no real rationale for that.
The rubber strap was very uncomfortable on the old Ironman models and used to cause some really annoying, visible, skin irritation. I found G-shock straps of that era to be almost just as bad. That is not the case with these modern Casio polymer straps.
I also despise those weird circles Casio, Armitron, etc. put on watch faces and take up a quarter of the face of the watch. This watch has NONE of that BS going on. The info on the watch face is SO bold and easy to read that I would definitely prefer it to all the G-shocks with those damned, senseless circles taking up so much of the display. PV cells excluded because they actually do serve a purpose. But here’s my view on all that: if the watch battery lasts even close to ten years, it will already outlast the battery/operation of the solar-powered, $150 G-Shock I once owned by a factor of YEARS. So I would still prefer this because legibility is far more important to me than photovoltaics.
After a few weeks getting used to wearing a watch again for the first time in twenty years, I’ve really appreciated not having to dig my cell phone out of my pocket just to check the time/date. A weirdly subtle difference I would never have thought would matter. But it does. I’m starting to really like Casios!
I also like the hourly chime because otherwise I get lost and completely lose track of time while recording/producing. That could only backfire if the chime goes off in the vocal booth and ruins a take. Hasn’t happened yet, though.
I’m also glad they make it in the desert-sand/beige color because I’m fair skinned so it doesn’t look like a giant thing on my wrist.
At some point or other I will wake up exhausted and forget to take it off before I get in the shower. At that point I will update this review if water penetrates the buttons/gaskets/seals.
Again, I am in disbelief at how excellent this watch is for the price. I hope they never discontinue this model until an identical “20 Year Battery” model is available. But by then we’ll no doubt have flying cars, rocket-skates, jet packs, and digital, tattooed watches with veinous, indiglo epidermis. Or more than the current, standard-issue, two to three computer chips implanted into in our visual cortex at birth.
Just pick the color you like and buy the damned thing!
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From the manufacturer
Key Features
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10 Year BatteryEven with the extra large HD LCD digital display which provides crisp, convenient reads, the built in 10 year battery will provide a decade of use without the worry of changing batteries |
100 Meter (330 Feet) Water ResistantSuitable for everyday use and swimming and snorkeling |
Multiple Alarms & Snooze Alarm5 alarms and a snooze alarm |
Stopwatch & Countdown Timer1/100th Sec. Stopwatch (24Hr) 1/1Sec Countdown Timer (24Hr) |
Videos
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All Settings and Features on the Casio Illuminator
The Helper
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THIS IS THE PERFECT WATCH - Casio Illuminator AE1500WH Series
Cayla Lane
Reviews with images
Holy cow this thing is HUGE!!
I didn't bother reading the product' description very well if at all because I figured it's a budget Casio watch, what could go wrong? Apparently nothing at all! This watch is HUGE and this is coming from someone that's owned several G-Shocks over the years.First impression other than gargantuan size? Well my first few minutes with the watch I was left scratching my head because for the life of me I couldn't figure out (and still can't) how this watch is selling for what it's selling for. For the past couple of years I've unfortunately grown accustomed to paying for things that have skyrocketed in price, whether it's a carton of eggs, toner for my printer, and everything else one needs to get along in this life. This watch looks and feels like my more expensive G-shocks which comes with price tags well into the hundreds. But back to my first impression... If you're at all familiar with Casio watches this one will function like all their other watches (as far as navigating menus, making adjustments etc) and it feels vey intuitive to use. It was literally no big deal to adjust the alarms, date and time without having to refer to the manual. Also, the size of the font for the time is also quite large and very easy to read and though the day and date isn't quite as big they're still very easy to read.My only gripes? I have 2 but they're very minor...I ordered the white model and the watch isn't exactly white, it's more of an extremely light beige. It's easily noticeable when put next to something that's actually white which you can see in the last of the included pics. In that picture both the keyboard and mouse are white but they're more of an eggshell white and they have a matte finish. The desktop is also white white with a glossy finish. Clearly you can yes the color discrepancy. The other gripe? The light that illuminated the face isn't all that bright. On the white that I chose the face is black and the letters and digits are negative, or not colored at all so maybe the black face affects the intensity of the lights? I don't know but either way neither of my gripes are deal breakers and overall I'm very happy with this buy. As far the pics go. the first of this way next to my G-shock G-101 (which is years old but has recently received a new bezel). The second is the measurement of the outer edge of the bezel for the G-101. The third is the measurement of the outer edge of the bezel for this watch... More than a 7mm difference (that's more than a 1/4" for the folks that still don't use the meter system lol). The G-101 was (and is) a big watch comparatively speaking but this new one is on steroids!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
About the size of the watch, it's not as big as those expensive G-Shocks or exaggerated Diesel watches. I'm a skinny guy and the watch looks and feels right on my wrist. My only con is the strap, which is made of light plastic and feels very delicate. If you want this watch to last 10 years just as its battery, you'll have to handle it with care. But hey, it's a cheap watch anyways.
Finally, it has all the functions you would expect from a basic watch: alarms, chronometer, date always on display, 12 and 24 hour time format, and that's more than enough for me.
In conclusion: great watch for the price. Not very big, light weight, beautiful and clear negative screen, but flimsy strap. I say BUY IT. The negative, clear screen looks great with strong blacks under daylight and the illuminator function will do its job properly with the lights out. Bye!
Color: GraySize: StandardVerified Purchase
The screen clarity of this inexpensive watch is AMAZING.
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
I've always been a quartz watch guy, but some weeks ago I thought I should get a simple, inexpensive digital watch to see if I like them and potentially get another more expensive one in the future. So, after lots of scrolling and comparing, I found this Casio and I have to say, I'm glad I chose it. I think the better aspect of the watch is its big screen size and circular shape, which offers a clear, unconvoluted view of the numbers. Secondly, the screen clarity and definition, which is nothing short of AMAZING. I've attached some photos of the screen being tested indoors, outdoors and with no light. I've been particularly impressed with the display outdoors: when the screen is right in front of your eyes under sunlight, you could swear you're looking at an OLED screen from some fancy smartwatch. Yes, it's that good. And the illuminator amber light is great as well. It lights the whole screen and provides more than enough time to check all the info you need.Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
About the size of the watch, it's not as big as those expensive G-Shocks or exaggerated Diesel watches. I'm a skinny guy and the watch looks and feels right on my wrist. My only con is the strap, which is made of light plastic and feels very delicate. If you want this watch to last 10 years just as its battery, you'll have to handle it with care. But hey, it's a cheap watch anyways.
Finally, it has all the functions you would expect from a basic watch: alarms, chronometer, date always on display, 12 and 24 hour time format, and that's more than enough for me.
In conclusion: great watch for the price. Not very big, light weight, beautiful and clear negative screen, but flimsy strap. I say BUY IT. The negative, clear screen looks great with strong blacks under daylight and the illuminator function will do its job properly with the lights out. Bye!
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
ROQUE DIAZ
Excelente calidad a un precio inmejorable
Reviewed in Mexico on April 26, 2024Color: BlackSize: StandardVerified Purchase
ROQUE DIAZ
Reviewed in Mexico on April 26, 2024
Images in this review
Nino
Watch to wear everywhere., office, sports activities, outdoors, camping etc.
Reviewed in Canada on March 23, 2024Color: GraySize: StandardVerified Purchase
Exercise Physiology Nerd
Nice little casio watch!
Reviewed in Canada on March 1, 2024Color: BlackSize: Extra LongVerified Purchase
Excelente producto
Satisfecho con mi reloj, excelente textura y demasiado cómodo
Reviewed in Mexico on February 27, 2024Color: WhiteSize: StandardVerified Purchase
Excelente producto
Reviewed in Mexico on February 27, 2024
Images in this review
A.I.
One of the best value Casio watches I've found.
Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2024Color: TanSize: StandardVerified Purchase
