Updated

Updated · Yanko Design · Aug 11

Casio’s ¥8,800 F-B100W Sells Out in Japan as F-91W Gains Bluetooth, Step Tracking

Updated

Updated · Yanko Design · Aug 11

Casio’s ¥8,800 F-B100W Sells Out in Japan as F-91W Gains Bluetooth, Step Tracking

Q: Can a basic battery-powered retro watch really replace your complex smartwatch without sacrificing essential daily data?

Yes—for many people, a basic connected retro watch like Casio’s F-B100W can replace a smartwatch, but only if “essential daily data” means steps, time, alarms, and simple activity logs rather than full health monitoring. The F-B100W covers the basics well. It counts steps with an accelerometer, shows daily totals and graphs on the watch, can log activity to Casio’s app over Bluetooth, and automatically syncs the time through a phone. It also offers five alarms, a timer, stopwatch storage for 200 laps, and in some reports world time and phone-finder features. At 26 grams and 8.8 mm thick, it is far lighter and less intrusive than most smartwatches, and its replaceable CR2016 battery is rated for about two years—far beyond the one- to several-day charging cycle typical of smartwatches. What it does not replace is the richer data layer many smartwatch users rely on. There is no heart-rate sensor, no GPS, no ECG, no blood oxygen tracking, no sleep analysis confirmed for this model, and no robust notification or app ecosystem. That means runners, cyclists, people managing health conditions, or users who depend on call alerts, payments, maps, or voice assistants would be giving up meaningful functionality. So the trade-off is clear: the F-B100W can replace a smartwatch for users who want discreet step tracking and dependable daily utility, but not for those who treat their watch as a health dashboard or mini-phone.

3 articles · Updated · Yanko Design · Aug 11

Casio’s new F-B100W has already sold out in Japan, signaling strong demand for a smartwatch-style update to the long-running F-91W.
¥8,800 buys Bluetooth time sync, phone finder, step counting, lap recording for up to 200 splits, and inactivity alerts—while keeping the retro rectangular design.
A nearly 2-year battery, 26-gram weight, water resistance, amber LED backlight and five daily alarms position the model as a minimalist smart watch rather than a full health tracker.
The launch builds on Casio’s effort to modernize its iconic 1980s digital watch without abandoning the low-friction appeal that made the roughly $20 original a classic.