Casio A171 Review - The New Casio Is Incredibly Cool…But Not What I Expected
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It's time for me to shill some more Casios…or is it? You see, it's no secret that Casio is my number one watch brand. Over the years, they've made a plethora of affordable beasts, many of which I've written about previously. Heck, I even did a 'Top 20 Casio List' because there are so many viable options that won't let you down.
My favorites are the retro digital models, including the A158, A168, and A700, all of which provide a cool vintage aesthetic for a few cents.
Therefore, I was immediately excited when I stumbled upon one of their latest releases that appeared to offer this nostalgic styling while foregoing the typical square shape. Indeed, the pictures of this A171 showcased a digital piece with an unusual circular bezel and a more restrained display surround.
I just had to get hold of one. So, I got Amazon to send one my way; thanks to them for covering its cost. You'll find it affiliate linked throughout this post if you want to grab one. I've been trying it out for the past week or so, and honestly… it's not quite what I expected. Let's get into it.
Packaging
The watch arrived in the newer-style retro box I've seen cropping up recently. It's nothing fancy but leaves a much better initial impression than the ghastly faux-carbon packaging usually provided with these cheap Casios.
Watch Design
Thankfully, the watch looks just as good as in the pictures, with what I would describe as a modern interpretation of the retro aesthetic. I say this because this A171 maintains a similar color scheme but looks less cluttered and better thought out than some previous iterations.
Not only is there lower text density, but this is split between fewer fonts, giving a more coherent and minimalistic appearance. I particularly like the improved symmetry, with the Casio logo at the top center and the grey function ring at the perimeter.
Dimensions
Together with the reconfigured case shape, it looks fantastic on the wrist and instantly stands out amongst its square peers. You still get comparable proportions, with a 36.3mm diameter, 9.1mm thickness, and a sub-40mm lug to lug (38.8mm), meaning it's well suited to slim and average wrists but could look dwarfed on those with thicker arms.
One aspect I particularly like is the way that the bezel intersects with the squared-off lugs. I'm not sure why, but I think it looks incredibly cool, like one of those 'satisfaction' meme videos.
Case Construction
Unfortunately, despite costing slightly more than some other models at around $25-$35, this one is still constructed of glossy resin, as evident from the steel bracelet's clashing finish. While very lightweight, this material will accrue scratches easily, and honestly, I think this is a real missed opportunity.
I remember being underwhelmed by the stainless steel A1000 watches, yet I think this A171 could be a killer if that same material was implemented. This model has the perfect looks, and I'd be more than willing to pay extra to get this watch in a decent metal.
Watch Module
Given the comparable sizing, I expected this A171 to be a reskinned A168; however, it turns out my estimations weren't quite accurate. You see, Casio cheapened out on the mechanics here, opting to use the inferior module present in the older A158 and F91 models, which has the awful side-light system, rather than the superior 'illuminator' system in pieces like the A168. This would surely only have cost them a fraction more per unit, so I can only surmise that this is an extreme cost-cutting move to boost margins.
Side-light system on Casio A171
Illuminator system on Casio A168
Perhaps their excuse is that they'd rather not have the seemingly obligatory 'illuminator' text stamped on the front, as is present on all of their digitals that use this technology. However, I'd argue that they could just stamp that marking on the back, as they did with the Casio Lineage model I previously reviewed.
Aside from that, the module provides just the basic alarm and stopwatch functions, which is enough for 99% of people. It's just a shame they cut such a prominent corner.
Water Resistance and Crystal
The water performance and crystal are also worth analyzing. You see, this watch has only been given an acrylic crystal and a 3bar splashproof rating, despite being priced slightly higher than some similar models. True, you can't expect the world at such a low RRP, but there are cheaper Casios that pack in more scratch-resistant crystals or improved water resistance. Perhaps this watch outperforms the water rating, as other Casios are known to, and for around $30, it's not awful. It's simply another missed opportunity.
Unsurprisingly, this is paired with a rudimentary rolled link bracelet, which can pull arm hairs but is fully adjustable and adequate for such a low-cost watch.
Final Thoughts
It turns out then that the new A171 is more like a re-cased A158W, with identical specifications and the same module, just with an angled pusher arrangement. Honestly, outside of the backlight, I like the A158, and I think this A171 looks even better, despite not offering the same bang for your buck.
This refresh is viable on a few different straps, and it definitely fits my style, so it's probably worth the price hike for my use case. I'll let you decide whether that applies to you. If this were $50+, it would qualify as a cash grab (inflation notwithstanding), but for around $30, I think it's a reasonable deal.
