Re-creating the 1974 Casiotron with Updated Specs and Features
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the release of a new watch re-creating the Casiotron QW02, the world’s first line of digital watches with an automatic calendar function, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Casio watches. The new TRN-50 is available in a limited edition of 4,000 watches worldwide.
Casio originally released the Casiotron in 1974, breaking ground with a digital wristwatch inspired by the insight that “watches simply add up seconds.” The watch made the most of the original digital technologies Casio had developed in its calculator business, bringing the concept of a fully automatic wristwatch to life. The Casiotron not only displayed time but also the correct month, date,* and day of the week — automatically adjusting for longer and shorter months with its automatic calendar function. Eliminating the hassle of correcting the calendar every month, the Casiotron was a true pioneer that went beyond what anyone expected of a digital wristwatch.
*Except for February 29 during leap years.
The new TRN-50 stays true to the Casiotron concept of a fully automatic wristwatch, drawing on all the advancements of Casio watch development over the half-century since the original model came out. While re-creating the Casiotron design, the new watch incorporates state-of-the-art features including radio controlled time adjustment, solar charging, and Mobile Link functions for pairing with a smartphone.
The original watch exterior, including its size, is meticulously re-created in a design that meets present-day quality standards. Many details, including the sophisticated textures of the case and band, the dark blue face, and the CASIOTRON logo, are faithfully reproduced.
The new watch also delivers practicality with the highly readable super-twisted nematic (STN) LCD and Tough Solar charging system. In addition to receiving time calibration signals transmitted from six stations around the world, the watch is equipped with Mobile Link functionality for pairing with a smartphone via Bluetooth® to ensure precision timekeeping. The vision of the original Casiotron lives on in the new TRN-50, now with features including automatic updating of world time zone/time difference information.
Special details befitting a limited-edition timepiece include the original case back design with engraved serial number and special packaging made from paper materials for low environmental impact.
Casio remains committed to leveraging its original product development capabilities and electronics technologies to deliver new value.
Specifications
Water Resistance | 50 meters | |
|---|---|---|
Radio Frequency | 77.5 kHz (DCF77: Germany); 60 kHz (MSF: UK); 60 kHz (WWVB: USA); 40 kHz (JJY: Fukushima, Japan) / 60 kHz (JJY: Kyushu, Japan); 68.5 kHz (BPC: China) | |
Radio Wave Reception | Automatic reception up to six times a day (except for use in China: up to five times a day), manual reception | |
Communication Specifications | Communication Standard | Bluetooth® low energy |
Signal Range | Up to 2 meters (may differ depending on surrounding conditions) | |
World Time | 5 world times selected from 39 time zones* (39 cities +coordinated universal time), auto summer time (DST) switching, home city/world time city swapping * May be updated when connected to a smartphone. | |
Stopwatch | 1/100 second (00’00”00 to 59’59”99) / 1 second (1:00’00” to 23:59’59”); measuring capacity: 23:59’59.99″; measuring modes: elapsed time, split time, 1st and 2nd place times | |
Countdown Timer | Measuring unit: 1 second (maximum 24 hours) | |
Alarm | 5 daily alarms (with 1 snooze alarm); hourly time signal | |
Mobile Link Features*1 (Wireless linking with Bluetooth® devices) | Auto time adjustment Easy watch setting Approximately 300 world time cities + user-added point Time & place Reminder Phone finder | |
Other Functions | Low battery alert, power saving, full auto-calendar, 12/24-hour format, button operation tone on/off, date/month display swapping, day display (in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian or Russian), full auto LED backlight (Super Illuminator and afterglow: 2/4 seconds, fade-in/fade-out afterglow) | |
Power Source | Tough Solar power system (solar-charging system) | |
Continuous Operation | About 11 months after full charge, using all functions but without solar charging About 22 months with the power-saving function ON after full charge | |
Size of Case | 42.7 × 39.1 × 12.3 mm | |
Total Weight | Approx. 111 g | |
・Made in Japan.
*1 Requires downloading the dedicated CASIO WATCHES app.
・The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is under license.