It’s a Watch. It’s a Ring. It’s More Jewelry Than Either, And That’s What Makes It Special.
For someone already surrounded by watches, adding another to the collection might seem unnecessary. As a wearables reviewer, there’s always a smartwatch on each wrist. And after spending an entire summer wearing multiple rings, another one hardly seems essential. Yet, despite all logic, the $120 Casio CRW001-1—better known as the Casio Ring Watch—has been a constant companion for the past few weeks.
There’s no pretense here. This is simply a tiny Casio watch designed to sit on a finger. Released to celebrate Casio’s 50th anniversary, it plays on nostalgia for vintage watch rings from the ‘80s and ‘90s, the kind often found on Etsy for a fraction of the price. The key difference? This one is fully functional.
The Practicality and Design of the Casio Ring Watch
Unboxing it, a reasonable person might wonder if anyone truly needs this. It’s no longer available on Casio’s website, and resale prices on eBay exceed $300. In a time when even basic necessities are becoming more expensive, spending money on a novelty item might not seem practical—especially when most people already own multiple devices that can tell the time.
Another challenge is the sizing. The ring only comes in a single 10.5 size, requiring one of two included spacers for smaller fingers. Those with larger fingers, unfortunately, are out of luck. And while it boasts a stopwatch, an alarm, and dual timezone features, actually using these tiny buttons might prove difficult.
Despite all this, once the ring is on, the skepticism quickly fades.
A Statement Piece With Unexpected Benefits
There’s something undeniably cool about it. The Casio Ring Watch embodies a kind of nerdy chic reminiscent of childhood—when wearing Disney tiaras or Ninja Turtles watches felt completely natural. Back then, a single fun accessory could spark a friendship on the playground.
In recent weeks, the Casio Ring Watch has had a similar effect. Friends, colleagues, and even strangers have stopped to ask about it. Surprisingly, it has even received more compliments than a wedding ring. At a recent event, a well-known makeup artist for a Grammy-winning star pointed at it and complimented its style. For someone who spends most days in casual, coffee-stained clothing, that moment was an unexpected confidence boost.
Jewelry First, Watch Second
At its core, this is a piece of jewelry. While functional, its main appeal lies in the way it makes the wearer feel. Watches and rings often hold sentimental value beyond their practicality. The Casio Ring Watch, despite its quirks, brings a sense of joy every time it’s worn.
The Subtle Convenience of a Finger Watch
Interestingly, beyond its aesthetic appeal, the ring does offer some convenience. Checking a traditional watch or smartphone during a conversation can seem impolite, but a subtle glance at a ring is much less noticeable. On cold days when long sleeves make smartwatch access difficult, the ring provides an easy way to check the time. Even while typing, a quick glance at the keyboard can serve as a subtle reminder of an upcoming meeting.
Of course, it’s not without its flaws. Sometimes it ends up on the wrong mode, likely due to accidental button presses. The tiny buttons make setting the time a tedious task, and using the stopwatch remains a mystery despite multiple attempts to read the manual. The backlight is barely visible in both darkness and bright sunlight. And yet, none of these shortcomings diminish its charm.
There are plenty of smartwatches and smart rings with far superior technology. They track health, send notifications, and offer countless features. But the Casio Ring Watch doesn’t need to do any of that. It exists purely for fun. And despite all logic, it has become the most anticipated accessory to wear each morning.
