Casio Gives the Viral Ring Watch Its Most Unique Makeover Yet

It’s safe to say the mini G-Shock for your finger is here to stay.

Close-up of a gold Casio digital watch bezel with four embedded crystals and a brick-patterned face.

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By Ethan Brehm

Published May 20, 2026

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Whether you like them or not, it looks like Casio’s Ring Watch is here to stay.

What first appeared like a novelty has now pushed through several waves in just 18 months, showing us how much it believes in this concept. And why not? The Japanese watchmaker has always ticked to the beat of its own quartz-powered drum.

Gold-tone Casio digital watch with a brick-patterned face and crystal accents on the bezel. — This rhinestone-encrusted Ring Watch is easily Casio’s biggest swing for the already-divisive timepiece.

Now, the miniature timepiece for your finger is getting its first collaborative release in tandem with Colombian reggaeton singer J Balvin, and it’s easily the most unique iteration so far.

Finger-tickin’ good

To the brand’s credit, Casio has made sure to enhance each new Ring Watch model to justify its existence. Debuting in late 2024, the CRW-001 was a stainless steel model that leaned into the jewelry aesthetic. From there, the brand gave us a gold ion-plated version and even different colored resin Ring Watches under the G-Shock banner that looked more like the original 5600 line (hence the DWN-5600 Nano moniker), and with buckled straps in tow.

Four Casio G-Shock digital watches in black, red, and yellow with rectangular faces on a gray surface. — The fan-favorite G-Shock Nano Ring Watches alongside the larger 5600 model.

Since then, other brands have hopped on the trend, with even Timex following suit with a Beams collaboration earlier this year. Regardless, it’s clear we haven’t seen the last of the divisive “fingerpiece.”

Stone-gold stunner

No longer playing it safe with these designs, Casio has now blinged-out the Ring Watch. It takes on the gold CRW-001G, embedding four rhinestones at the top and bottom of the bezel.

Close-up of a gold Casio digital watch face with a brick pattern background and four crystals above and below the display. — Gold-colored bricks and a cleaner dial design are not the only thing that make this variant unique.

Gold-toned metal watch backplate with Casio branding and a flower and lightning bolt symbol. — The back of the Ring Watch features J Balvin’s flower-lightning motif.

Compared to the standard model, the new CRW-001JB-9 puts the brick motif on the dial in gold as well (previously in black) and extends it to the bezel. Most of the design remains intact, except that some of the dial text is removed on the side of the digital display. It removes denotations for “MODE,” “ADJUST” and “LIGHT” to simplify the look. Nods to J Balvin also includes a flower-and-lightning logo on the caseback.

Gold watch case with two buttons on the side and three clear plastic curved inserts on a gray background. — Like previous models, the watch comes in a US ring size 10.5 but can be adjusted to 8 or 9 with inserts.

At just 19.5mm across, the watch is small but mighty. You still get dual-time capability, along with stopwatch, auto calendar and Time Flash every hour. The Ring Watch comes set in a US size 10.5 but can be adjusted to a size 8 or 9.

Hand with tattoos wearing a gold digital watch on the middle finger. — The Colombian singer shown wearing his namesake Ring Watch.

Gold Casio digital watch in a gold brick-patterned box with a black drawstring pouch featuring a flower and lightning bolt design. — Even the packaging matches the golden brick motif.

Availability and pricing

The Casio x J Balvin Ring Watch CRW-001JB-9 carries a $200 price tag and drops online on June 4. Pre-orders open up May 28.

Gold Casio digital watch with a brick-patterned face and four crystals above and below the display.

Casio x J Balvin Ring Watch CRW-001JB-9

$200 at Casio

About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he’s not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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