Casio has one of the coolest, most tech-forward histories in the watch world
Founding & Early Innovations: 1946–1973
1946: Casio was founded by Tadao Kashio, originally as an electronics company (not a watchmaker).
First big invention? The Yubiwa Pipe—a ring that held a cigarette, so people could smoke hands-free.
1957: Released the Casio 14-A, Japan’s first all-electric compact calculator—huge success.
1974: Casio dropped its first watch—the Casiotron, a digital quartz watch that not only told time but automatically calculated the calendar, including leap years.
Digital Pioneers: Late 1970s–1980s
Casio was the brand pushing boundaries in digital tech:
1977–1980: Released affordable digital watches with chronograph, alarms, and backlights.
1980: Introduced calculator watches, making math nerds everywhere stylish.
1983: Launched the G-SHOCK DW-5000C, a “Triple 10” watch (10-year battery, 10-bar water resistance, survives 10-meter drop).
→ This was revolutionary and built the G-SHOCK legend.
Casio Boom: 1990s
Added world time, atomic clock syncing, moon/tide graphs, and even TV remotes in their watches.
G-SHOCK and Baby-G lines exploded in popularity.
Became icons in pop culture, worn by everyone from rappers to soldiers.
Tech Era & Modern Smart Features: 2000s–Today
- Continued pushing innovation with:
- Tough Solar (solar-powered G-SHOCKs),
- Wave Ceptor (radio-controlled atomic time),
- Bluetooth & Smartwatch features in newer G-SHOCKs.
- Released Pro Trek: outdoor watches with altimeter, barometer, compass, and GPS—popular with hikers and adventurers.
- Expanded into Edifice (sporty analog-digital hybrids) and Vintage (nostalgic 80s/90s reissues).
Major Casio Watch Lines
- G-SHOCK: Rugged, shockproof, cult-following—toughest watches on Earth.
- Baby-G: Stylish, colorful, smaller G-SHOCKs for a wider audience.
- Pro Trek: Smart outdoor watches with ABC sensors (Altimeter-Barometer-Compass).
- Edifice: Sleek, metal sports watches with analog-digital tech.
- Vintage/Classic: Minimalist digital watches like the F91W—ultra-affordable and iconic.
- Databank: Calculator + phonebook watches—retro tech legends.
