The Casio A1000 is one of those watches that functions incredibly well as a blank canvas. It’s so simple, and the core design is so well known, that it can morph and change at the whim of the brand or one of their collaborators into something new but still fundamentally recognizable. A new version of the A1000 made with rag & bone, the apparel brand celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, showcases how the A1000 can work in subtly different executions, but still remain very much an A1000.
The A1000 will be familiar to most watch enthusiasts as one of the first digital watches ever made by Casio, with an easily recognizable octagonal case shape and a rudimentary LCD display. The A1000 doesn’t have the rough and tumble reputation of watches in Casio’s G-Shock line, but it does offer a real value for collectors looking for a design that is genuinely iconic. It’s also easy to wear and quite functional, with stopwatch, calendar, and alarm features.
For these anniversary editions, rag & bone has added just a handful of subtle design flourishes to make these watches their own There are two versions, one coated in black, the other in traditional stainless steel with a “gun metallic” finish. Both have accent colors that are military inspired, a design touch that is common to rag & bone clothing. The rag & bone logo appears just under the Casio wordmark on both watches, and the cases and bracelets have been kept purposefully monochromatic with surfaces that are largely brushed and made to fly under the radar. These watches are anything but flashy.
While the A1000 might remind you of something almost chintzy from your childhood, it’s worth pointing out that these latest versions of the watch have been made with premium materials and are built to last. They feature sapphire crystals, a modern LED light to illuminate the screen, and a battery that will last three years. The retail price for these watches is set at $250. Casio
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