Friday, May 15, 2009

Casio W-50U Worldtimer


This is my Casio W-50U Worldtimer. This watch was a gift from a fellow WUS (watchuseek) member. This watch was issued in 1986.

Basic Specifications:

Manufacturer: Casio Japan
Movement: Casio Quartz Module 643
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, month, alarm (5), hourly time signal, countdown alarm (timer), stopwatch, world time (29 cities)
Case: Black resin, stainless steel back plate, mineral glass, water resistant 5 ATM
Dimensions: 32 mm X 36 mm, Height: 8 mm


As can be seen from the photos, this watch has its fair share of 'wabi' and this adds to the character of the watch. The resin case is well made and does not have any rough or sharp edges. The letterings 'CASIO' and 'WR50M' is no longer there on the case above the LCD display as it has long worn out. Same for the letterings 'World Time' below the LCD display. However, this watch is known to have a problem with the case breaking at the strap attachment.


The case back is typical Casio. It is a stainless steel plate held by 4 screws at the 4 corners. The plate is matte, with horizontal brushing. This differs from the vertical brushing found on most G-Shocks. This watch is Made in Japan (Japan C). The normal Casio marking are present at the case back, i.e. module number, model number, water resistant and made in data.

The buttons are a pleasure to use and is very tactile. As with most Casio, there is a confirmation 'beep' when the mode button is selected. The watch will cycle through time display, world time display, alarm, countdown alarm, stopwatch and back to time display. The 'beep' for the return to time display is different from the 'beep' when cycling through the functions. This helps the user in that the user knows when he is back to the normal time display. Additionally, the watch reverts to normal time display when the mode button is selected once an operation has been selected, regardless of mode. What this means is if you have adjusted the alarm in the alarm mode, when you select the mode button, you return to normal time display instead of having to cycle through the entire function modes.


The adjust button is recessed into the case to prevent accidental operation of the button. Sadly this watch does not have any backlighting. The stopwatch allows for net time measurement (start, stop, reset) and split time measurement (start, split, split release, stop, reset). The stopwatch total elapsed display is 23 hours, 59 minutes 59.99 seconds. The countdown alarm can bet set between 1 minute and 24 hours. It has auto repeat and repeat function.


This watch have 5 alarms and it can bet set in a number of ways. This, I believe is the selling point of this watch. The 5 alarms can be set independently from the home time. Each of these alarm can then be set in 4 different ways. It can be used in the following ways:

Daily alarm: beeper sounds at preset time daily
Monthly alarm: beeper sounds on preset date and time once every month
Daily alarm for 1 month: beeper sounds at preset time everyday during the set month
Date alarm: beeper sounds at preset time, month and date

I like the LCD as well. On the top right corner is a world map. The line will be displayed on the map to indicate the time zone you are in. The top left hand corner shows the year. The lower half displays the day, month, date and time. The time display is switchable between 12 hour and 24 hour display. The display is very clear (although the glass has many scratches) as the LCD has a clear background. I like the clarity of the display. However, one short coming is that the time display does not appear when the other functions are selected.

The world time function is good. It will show the time for the 24 time zones and half hour zones for THR (Tehran), KBL (Kabul), DEL (Delhi), RGN (Yangon) and ADL (Adelaide), a total of 29 cities. The city display follows the standard city codes as used by the aviation industry. Selecting the lower right hand button in normal time display, switches the display to the selected city.

The watch is small and it shows when I am wearing it. Although it is small, it is very comfortable. The tapering of the strap does not help. The lug size is an odd 19 mm. The strap is also made in Japan as is the buckle. The buckle is made of plastic. The strap is supple and elastic. Another unique point of this watch is that it has drill through spring bar holes. This makes changing the strap easier.


Overall I like this watch. It is one of two square watch in my collection. It may be small by today standards, but for what it can do, the functions that it has, makes it one of my favourite. The watch can be used as a daily beater and would never look out of place.


18 comments:

  1. I have 3 of these watches - 2 of them in brand new (mint) condition, and 1 is in used but very good condition. I will hold on to the two mint ones and perhaps one day sell one, but for now the w-50u enthusiasts will have to wait. My favorite watch of all time, I wore it for a short period as a youngster in the late 80's, early 90's. Thanks for posting this!

    P.S.
    Are you TheHobbit?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you willing to sell one of your mint condition W-50U?

      Mungo (UK)

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  2. Hi Mindcraft,

    Yes sir I am (on WUS).

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  3. Does this watch make a 'beep' sound when you press the 'mode' button? If so, is there a way to turn the beep off/on? Thanks!

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  4. Hi!

    I own a w50u since 1992. The casio sign on the case dissapeared, but it is good condition. I like it, bevause it waterproof (but I think the next battery change a little bit dangerous, because the rubber seal is too old). I have a new strap, because the original splitted two parts because I crash my bike. The countdown timer, the five alarm times good for sport. I change battery 1997, 2002, and 2009. Sorry my english is not to good.

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  5. Hi kameraman,

    Welcome to the blog. The W50U is a nice watch. I like it. Yours have certainly seen a lot of action. Anyway your english is just fine.

    Best regards,

    Ivan

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  6. I have had an W-50U since about 1990 and it is my favourite watch, despite having had many others in the meantime. I have changed the strap about four times and worn out the lettering, but it is so light and useful as you say above. Sadly it has died on changing the battery this time. Any ideas? Perhaps there is a reset method I have forgotten. Are there any for sale?
    Steve

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  7. Hi Steve,

    Welcome to the blog. With regards to your W-50U, have you tried a different battery. Sometimes it is a battery problem. As for W-50U for sale, I have no idea, but try checking out some of the more popular watch forums.

    Best regards,

    Ivan

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  8. I had one of these as a 20 something in the very early 90s. I had plans to go travelling, so I bought one from Argos (a high street catalog shop in the UK), and was fascinated by it. I wore it on my first holiday in Ibiza in '92 and the 'world time' text wore off due to a lethal combination of sea water and sun cream!
    That watch accompanied me on my backpacking trip to Australia in 93/94, then a brief stint in Europe in '95, still on its original battery, although, by then it was its 2nd strap.
    It was the following year that one of the lugs that hold the strap in broke and the watch was no longer wearable. When i moved to my own place, it was stuck in a drawer until the battery died, then much later, thrown away as I thought it was no longer any use. It wasn't until I got onto the internet years later that I realised I probably could have salvaged the module and possibly got hold of a case from ebay.
    What a great watch, only let down by not having a light!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi D7,

    Welcome to the blog. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

    Best regards,

    Ivan

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  10. I have had 2 x W-50U over the last 25 years. The original one I still have, but the case pins/points broke so could not attach strap, so now sits in bag in draw. I had managed to buy a brand new one (off e-bay) 3 years ago. Last week I stupidly took if off to wash my hands when visiting a stately house, got distracted by someone, and then forgot to pick it up. Has not been handed in despite phone calls to lost property. I am gutted!!!. I am willing to pay upto £200 for a new or nearly new (mint) replacement. Will collect anyway in UK. Can anyone help?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mungo,

      Sorry to hear about what happen to the watch. Hope it gets returned soon.

      Best regards,

      Ivan

      Delete
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  14. Hi. This watch really reminds me of my youth growing up in the 80s. I first got this watch in the 1987 (from a store in Scotland). Wore it until until it broke and bought another one in Malaysia and wore it for a good few years. I thought the design was real classy and still do actually. I'm looking for another one now. :)

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  15. Hi, I have just found this watch at my local car boot , paid 75pence for it ....I have put a new battery in and it works !!!!..

    However I cannot get the beep (when buttons are pressed) to work . The spring was loose in the module does anyone have any idea where it lives ???

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  16. I have bought this Casio World Time watch in London in 1989. It has been my primary wrist watch since then. I had to change a battery few times (corresponding type CR1616) and wrist strap as well. Now, in smart watch time era my Casio rests but still works. I am proud on such a remarkable well-made Japan product, accurate even today. Tomaz

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