Looking for a cool digital watch that won’t break the bank? The Casio F-84W is an awesome choice.
Casio digital watches have been around for decades, and they’re some of the most popular watches on the market. They’re cheap, reliable, and well-designed.
By far, Casio’s most popular digital model is the F-91W. At this point, it’s a modern classic. You see this watch all over the place, so it’s not surprising that Casio sells millions of units each year.
I like the F-91W, but I actually prefer the lesser-known F-84W, a watch that I don’t think gets enough attention.
The F-84W is a bit of a different take on the same style that gives you all the functionality of the F-91W in a different package. And in my eyes, the F-84W has a few advantages over the F-91W.
If you’ve never checked out this underrated timepiece, then read on to find out why I like this watch so much.
Casio F-84W Overview
The Casio F-84W is the Japanese domestic version of the F-91W, which is why it’s so similar.
Compared to the F-91W, the F-84w is smaller, thinner, and lighter. The display is roughly the same size, but the body of the watch itself is smaller than the F-91W.
The design has quite a few noticeable changes from the F-91W. It has less text, and while some of the labeling is the same, it appears in different places on the F-84W.
Interestingly, the light, mode, and alarm buttons on the F-84W are labeled vertically. This saves space and makes the dial look less crowded than the F-91W (which uses horizontal inscriptions).
You get the classic Casio digital display with day and date readouts as well as the ability to switch between 12 and 24 hour modes.
Right now, the F-84W is going for around $30 on Amazon, but it can often be found for $15-$20. Since it’s imported from Japan, it does tend to cost a little more than the F-91W, but the price difference typically isn’t huge.
Casio F-84W Dimensions
As you’d expect, the F-84W is incredibly small and thin even for a digital watch. This thing seems to be tailor-made for small-wristed wearers.
My wrists are about 6.3” around, and the F-84W is just the right size for me. If anything, it’s actually a little on the small side.
The thin case sits so close to the wrist that it almost blends in. It’s so light that it feels more like a bracelet than a watch. You could definitely forget that you have it on.
- Case: 38.7mm x 33.4mm
- Weight: 21g
- Thickness: 8.5mm
- Band width: 18mm
Even though it’s so tiny, it’s still easy to read thanks to the prominent display, so you don’t have to worry about squinting when you check the time.
Casio F-84W Design & Style
Straight away, you can tell the F-84W is a retro watch through and through. In fact, its design is even more vintage than the F-91W.
You can really tell when you look at the text on the dial. The fonts are straight out of the mid-80s, and there’s a “Lithium” inscription that doesn’t appear on the F-91W.
The thin grooves on both the dial and strap are also very old school. Even the slightly different case shape of the F-84W makes it feel more retro than the F-91W.
I really like the variety of colors used on the dial. There’s a blue stripe around the perimeter, brick red lines on the top and bottom, and three different colors of text (grey, green, and yellow). Even though it’s a lot of color, it’s fairly subtle.
Casio F-84W Specs
When it comes to pure functionality, the F-84W is hard to beat. This is one of the most practical watches you can own, and it’s packed full of features that you’re likely to use every day.
The display alone gives you a lot of information. You can quickly read the time, day, and date with just a glance.
You also get alarms (both daily and hourly) and a stopwatch with split-time functionality.
The light button on the left-hand side toggles the green backlight. Compared to something like Timex’s Indiglo, it’s pretty weak, but it gets the job done.
The mode button lets you switch between the alarm, stopwatch, and timekeeping modes. Both the alarm and stopwatch are easy to use, though it may take a few uses for the button layout to become second nature.
Finally, the 12-24H button on the right side changes between 12 and 24 hour displays.
If you’re familiar with the F-91W, then you’re familiar with the F-84W. They’re functionally identical, and you’re not getting any extra or new features here.
Some sources say that the F-84W only has 30m of water resistance while others claim it’s waterproof. Personally, I’ve taken it swimming and had zero problems with it.
What I Like
For starters, I really like how functional this watch is. Every feature is practical, and there’s nothing unnecessary thrown in the mix.
Even if you don’t use the alarm or stopwatch, you’ll still make use of the main display that gives you everything you need. You have the time, day, and date all right there.
I’m also a sucker for the retro design. There’s something about the layout and the colors that makes me prefer this to the F-91W. It’s subtler and more low-key, and you can tell that the design is older and more vintage.
It’s really comfortable on the wrist, and the strap is even softer and more supple than the strap on the F-91W. I’ve never really had an issue with the rubber catching hair or getting too uncomfortable.
What I Don’t Like
Probably the biggest possible drawback of the F-84W is its size. It borders on being a little too small, which might turn some people away.
For reference, my wrists are about 6.3” around, and the watch looks just right for me.
That said, I can see it looking too small if your wrists are even a little bigger than mine.
The menu system and operation isn’t perfect. The buttons don’t have a lot of travel, so pushing them feels a bit weird. As a result, setting the time can be a little difficult, and it’s easy to click past the number you want.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
I can recommend the Casio F-84W for basically anyone looking for a feature-packed digital watch.
The F-84W is especially great for smaller wrists. Unlike many other digital watches, it doesn’t look bulky at all.
And if you’re into the vintage design as much as I am, then you’ll get a lot of mileage out of this inexpensive watch.
Overall, you’re getting a ton of value here for only $20-$30. If you don’t already have a Casio digital in your collection, you should definitely consider the F-84W.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
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