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Picture a plain black watch that weighs about as much as four coins. You press one button and the time glows. That is the Casio F-91W.
Retro Casio watches are having another moment in 2026. In February, Casio Europe launched a FUTURE CLASSIC collection built around old designs such as the 1995 A168. In late September, Gear Patrol listed a new outdoor-friendly take on the F-91W called the F-91WF in its roundup of the best Casio watches.
You do not need a new release to join the trend, though. The three originals below all cost under $35 on Amazon. We compared the F-91W, the A168WA plus the CA-53W on published specs, maker information and Amazon.com listings to help you pick one.
Our Pick: The Best Retro Casio for Most People
- Casio F-91W — around $22 — the lightest, cheapest classic; best pick for most people.
- Casio A168WA — around $30 — steel bracelet look with a bright full-screen EL backlight.
- Casio CA-53W — around $33 — the calculator watch from Back to the Future Part II.
Why Casio Owns the Retro Digital Look
Casio started in April 1946 as Kashio Seisakujo, a small workshop in Mitaka, Tokyo. The company became Casio Computer Co., Ltd. in June 1957. It made its name with calculators long before it made watches.
Casio entered the watch market in November 1974 with the Casiotron. Casio says it was the first digital watch with an automatic calendar. That calculator-maker DNA explains why Casio digital watches feel so practical: lots of functions, small batteries, simple buttons.
All three models on this page launched between 1988 and 1995. Decades later, all three are still sold new on Amazon at budget prices.
How to choose is simple. Ask three questions. Do you want resin or steel? Do you need a strong light at night? Do you want extra tools such as a calculator? Each watch below answers those questions differently.
Casio F-91W (Around $22 on Amazon)
The F-91W came out in June 1989. It was the first Casio design by Ryusuke Moriai. Inside sits module 593, powered by one CR2016 coin cell that Casio rates for about seven years.
The numbers explain the appeal. The case measures 38.2 × 35.2 × 8.5 mm. It weighs only 21 g. At that weight you forget it is on your wrist, even while typing at a desk or sleeping. The thin resin strap feels soft rather than stiff.
You get the basics plus a little more: a 1/100-second stopwatch, a daily alarm, an hourly beep, a calendar plus a small LED light. Casio estimates accuracy at ±30 seconds per month. On Amazon it holds 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 42,000 ratings.
The downside is the light. It is a small green LED on one side of the screen, so the display glows unevenly in the dark. Water resistance is only for splashes, rain plus hand washing. Do not swim or shower with it.
Casio A168WA (Around $30 on Amazon)
The A168 dates back to 1995, according to Casio Europe. It is one of the classics in Casio’s 2026 FUTURE CLASSIC collection, where the gold A168WG-9 version sells for 59.90 euros. The silver A168WA shown here costs about half that on Amazon.
The big upgrade over the F-91W is the light. The A168 uses an electro-luminescent (EL) backlight that lights the whole screen with an even blue-green glow. If you check the time in a dark bedroom or cinema, this is the watch that reads cleanly.
The Amazon listing says it weighs about 50 g, with a CR2016 battery rated for about seven years. Functions match the F-91W closely: a 1/100-second stopwatch, daily alarm, hourly signal, auto calendar plus a 12/24-hour format. Accuracy is about ±30 seconds per month. It has 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 32,000 ratings.
The metal bracelet gives a dressier look with a shirt or blazer. You feel a cool weight on the wrist instead of soft resin. The downside: the case is chrome-plated resin, not solid steel, so the plating can show wear over time.
Casio CA-53W (Around $33 on Amazon)
The CA-53W arrived in 1988 as the successor to the CA-50. Movie fans know it from Marty McFly’s wrist in Back to the Future Part II plus Part III. Walter White also wore one in Breaking Bad.
The star feature is the 8-digit calculator. Small rubber keys sit below the screen, so you can split a lunch bill or check a quick sum without your phone. It also adds dual time, which helps if you call family or colleagues in another time zone.
The case measures 43.2 × 34.4 × 8.2 mm and weighs 24 g, so it is still very light. It runs on a CR2016 cell; the Amazon listing says the battery lasts about five years. You also get a 1/100-second stopwatch, daily alarm plus an auto calendar. It holds 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 25,000 ratings.
The downside is clear: the CA-53W has no light at all. In a dark room you cannot read it. The keys are also tiny, so pressing them takes a fingernail or a pen tip. It is a fun gadget first and a practical watch second.
Small Details to Check Before You Buy
Wrist fit. The F-91W strap fits wrists from about 145 to 200 mm. Its strap is 18 mm wide where it meets the case. The CA-53W uses a 20 mm strap, which you can replace with any standard band of that width. The A168WA bracelet is adjusted by removing links, so a small tool or a quick visit to a watch shop helps.
Accuracy. Casio estimates the F-91W plus the A168WA at about ±30 seconds per month. The CA-53W is claimed at ±15 seconds per month. In daily life that means setting the time every few months, often when the clocks change for daylight saving.
Calendar quirks. The F-91W calendar does not track leap years. February always has 28 days, so you fix the date by hand once every four years. The CA-53W has an automatic calendar that runs to 2099, so it handles leap years for you.
Sound. All three beep for the alarm plus an optional hourly chime. The beeps are short electronic chirps, so they work for a quiet reminder rather than a loud wake-up call.
Fakes. These watches are cheap to copy. Buy from a listing sold or shipped by a seller you trust, then check that the case back shows the correct module number, such as 593 on the F-91W.
Compare the Three
| F-91W | A168WA | CA-53W | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$22 | ~$30 | ~$33 |
| Launched | 1989 | 1995 | 1988 |
| Weight | 21 g | About 50 g | 24 g |
| Light | Small LED | Full EL backlight | None |
| Battery life | About 7 years | About 7 years | About 5 years |
| Extras | Stopwatch, alarm | Stopwatch, alarm, 12/24h | Calculator, dual time |
| Rating | 4.5 stars | 4.7 stars | 4.6 stars |
Choose the F-91W if you want the lightest, cheapest watch that simply works. It is a great first retro Casio, a gym or travel watch, or a backup you will not worry about scratching.
Choose the A168WA if you care about looks or night use. The steel bracelet works with smarter clothes, while the full EL backlight is the best of the three in the dark.
Choose the CA-53W if you love film history or want a conversation piece. Just accept that you will need room light to read it. If you also want to explore pricier Japanese watches, see our guide to the best Japanese watches under $500.
Summary
The Casio F-91W is the best retro Casio for most people at around $22.
The A168WA is the upgrade for style plus a much better night light.
The CA-53W is the fun calculator icon, but it has no light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim with a Casio F-91W?
No. Its water resistance covers splashes, rain plus hand washing. It is not meant for swimming or showering. The same caution applies to the A168WA plus the CA-53W, which are also built for daily-use water resistance only.
What battery do these watches use?
All three use a CR2016 3-volt coin cell. The F-91W plus the A168WA are rated for about seven years. The CA-53W listing says about five years.
What is the new F-91WF?
Gear Patrol described the F-91WF in September 2026 as a new outdoor-friendly take on the F-91W. It is a newer variant; the classic F-91W covered in this guide is still sold on Amazon.
Is the CA-53W the watch from Back to the Future?
Yes, for Part II plus Part III.
Is the A168WA case solid stainless steel?
No. The bracelet is stainless steel, but the case is chrome-plated resin. That keeps the weight to about 50 g.
Prices along with ratings were checked on Amazon.com in October 2026. Prices change often, so check the current price on Amazon before buying.
Sources: Casio Europe press release on the FUTURE CLASSIC collection (February 2026); Casio corporate history (world.casio.com); Gear Patrol, best Casio watches (September 2026); Wikipedia entries for Casio, Casio F-91W plus Casio CA-53W; Amazon.com product listings.