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Casio’s Iconic $40 Watch Is Still a Dirt-Cheap Charmer 37 Years Later

New colorways of this Casio classic keep the decades-old design from going stale.

Digital silver metal wristwatch showing time 19:41:35 on a wooden surface.Casio
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By Jack Seemer

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For millions of fans, Casio means simple, affordable reliability. It owes that reputation to watches like the A158.

Since 1989, the practical timepiece has punched above its price tag with a metal band that elevates the no-nonsense digital display.

And new variants like the A158WEA-2 and A158WEA-7 keep the fan-favorite design from going stale.

Welcome to Reference Points: A series about the products that changed the standard — and never really stopped influencing it. Discover more here.

Two silver Casio digital watches with metal bands, one with a blue face and one with a gray face, placed on a wooden surface near a blue vinyl record.
The A158WEA-2 (left) and A158WEA-7 (right) are the latest colorways to join Casio’s classic A158 series.
Casio

Joining the roster this month, the pair of watches bring blue and gray frames to the iconic model, elegantly pairing with its silver-colored resin case. Each model measures 36.8mm x 33.2mm, with a thickness of 8.5mm.

Silver Casio digital wristwatch with a blue-bordered display showing time and date on a wrist.
Silver-colored resin gives the case the appearance of metal.
Casio
Silver Casio digital watch with metal band worn on a wrist resting on a wooden surface.
Though digital, the tonal look of the A158WEA-7 gives off understated elegance.
Casio

Like all A158 digital watches, these two toggle between 12- and 24-hour formats. They also include stopwatch, daily alarm, full automatic calendar and green LED backlight that preserves the retro charm.

Silver Casio digital wristwatch with metal band worn on a wrist with a mauve ribbed sleeve.
Like all A158 models, the new watches can toggle between 12- and 24-hour formats.
Casio

Water resistance of around 30 meters only adds to their everyday utility. But would you expect anything less from the brand known for simple, reliable watches that don’t break the bank?

Two wrists wearing silver digital Casio watches, one with a blue face and the other with a silver face, near a blue vinyl record player.
Each model measures 36.8mm x 33.2mm x 8.5mm.
Casio

Availability and pricing

Expected to enter the US market in the near future, both the A158WEA-2 and A158WEA-7 are already available in Japan, where they cost 6,050 Japanese yen (approximately $38).

In other Casio news, G-Shock recently gave its formidable GXW GX-56 Series watch a stealthy black-on-black makeover.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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