Casio watches compared

Casio is famous for affordable, robust digital watches. The F-91W has been available almost unchanged since 1989: plastic case, stopwatch, alarm, backlight and a battery that lasts for many years. The A158W and A168W from the Vintage series have a metal bracelet and look a little more upmarket; the A168W offers brighter backlighting. The gold A168WG is a popular retro eye-catcher.

For analogue fans there is the simple MQ-24 with a resin case, the MTP series with stainless steel and a classic dial, and combined analogue-digital models such as the AQ-230.

The G-Shock was introduced in 1983 as a virtually indestructible watch. A floating module and a thick resin case protect the movement from shocks. Most G-Shocks are water-resistant to 20 bar; many models have solar cells (Tough Solar) or radio reception (Multiband 6), which automatically synchronises the time via transmitters such as DCF77 near Frankfurt. Edifice is Casio's sporty yet elegant metal line, often with a chronograph. Pro Trek is aimed at outdoor fans, with an altimeter, barometer and compass.

Casio model numbers look cryptic but reveal a lot. The prefix stands for the series (F and A for digital classics, MQ and MTP for analogue models, GA/GW/DW for G-Shock). Suffixes such as -1 often mean a black design, -7 a white one. Letters at the end such as "EF" or "YES" often denote regional or packaging variants – technically the watches are usually identical.

Tip: with very cheap offers it's worth checking the seller and reviews, because the F-91W in particular is often copied. Originals have cleanly printed lettering and an engraved caseback.

The F-91W and A158W are ideal second, sports or travel watches: light, legible and so cheap that a scratch doesn't hurt. The Vintage series in gold or silver is a charming retro accessory. For trade work, sport and the outdoors, a G-Shock is the rugged choice, while in the office an Edifice or the analogue MTP series looks more understated. Children get on well with the simple digital models.