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Is Casio as good as a Rolex?

pdxleaf
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This popped up in my Google search for a Casio.

Screenshot_20250213_070938_Chrome.webp


When we summarize the text, we get this list of comparative features.

Casio watches are known for:
durability
Affordability
wide range of functions
significantly cheaper
practicality
Functionality
mostly quartz movements
wider variety of styles
sporty and utilitarian designs
reliable, everyday watch

Rolex is considered:
luxury watch brand
significantly higher quality materials
craftsmanship
prestige
much higher price
intricate mechanical movements
more refined aesthetic
status symbol

Without the brand names, the Casio list seems more weighty.

Just a curiosity to tickle your fancy.
 
padders
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Casio calculators are way way better than the Rolex alternative.
 
Larry S
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Doubt you will see may first responders or military personnel wearing Rolex. You will see Casio and Timex on their wrists.
 
Dan S
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Larry S Larry S
Doubt you will see may first responders or military personnel wearing Rolex. You will see Casio and Timex on their wrists.
There was a time when military personnel commonly wore Rolex watches. I have purchased two Rolex watches from original owners who bought them as GIs in Asia.
 
pdxleaf
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Dan S Dan S
There was a time when military personnel commonly wore Rolex watches. I have purchased two Rolex watches from original owners who bought them as GIs in Asia.

I was an Army brat. I remember seeing Rolex watches at the PX for around $350 back around 1974. I thought about buying one but bought a Canon F-1 with 50mm and 135mm lens for more money. Point is Rolex used to be a stretch but still affordable (and available.) Seikos were very popular with my dad and his friends, mainly because the Vietnam era brought Seiko to their attention.
 
DoctorEvil
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
I was an Army brat. I remember seeing Rolex watches at the PX for around $350 back around 1974. I thought about buying one but bought a Canon F-1 with 50mm and 135mm lens for more money. Point is Rolex used to be a stretch but still affordable (and available.) Seikos were very popular with my dad and his friends, mainly because the Vietnam era brought Seiko to their attention.
Your post reminds me of this episode of Antiques Roadshow where this vet brought in his Paul Newman Daytona which he had purchased from a PX in the 1970s. Lesson: don't throw out your old stuff. You never know what it might be worth!
 
Archer
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DoctorEvil DoctorEvil
Your post reminds me of this episode of Antiques Roadshow where this vet brought in his Paul Newman Daytona which he had purchased from a PX in the 1970s. Lesson: don't throw out your old stuff. You never know what it might be worth!
Yep, that's the one that was never worn but had a dirty bracelet...😕
 
pdxleaf
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spacemission spacemission
If you can only choose a single watch, which one would you buy?
Only speaking for myself, I'd like to say a Rolex GMT or a Sub. But the reality is that I have three Casios and zero Rolex.

Watches are kind of like dogs. There are no bad dogs. The one you have is always the best.
 
DoctorEvil
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
Watches are kind of like dogs. There are no bad dogs. The one you have is always the best.
+1
A few years after getting into watches, I started to come to this realisation. It's the key to happiness really.

I recently came across a YouTube video in which an enthusiast said something which resonated with me. He said that this hobby is accessible to all, and that a low cost watch like a Casio can still bring as much joy and satisfaction as a piece costing thousands. "The most important consideration when purchasing a watch is what the watch does for you". This humble G-Shock makes me smile almost as much as my more expensive pieces, just for what it can do for a fraction of the cost.
PXL_20250201_120224848.webp
 
Trev
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
...
Just a curiosity to tickle your fancy.
I was recently asking ChatGPT 4o about some older Longines models and it kept using omegaforums.net for references/citations. A good idea most of the time, but we have some pretty weird threads too 😁
 
wagudc
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Here is ChatGPT's answer to the same question:

It depends on what you mean by "good." Casio and Rolex serve very different purposes and target entirely different markets.

  • Casio is known for affordability, durability, and functionality. Their G-Shock and digital watches are packed with features like solar charging, atomic timekeeping, and Bluetooth connectivity. They’re great for everyday wear, outdoor activities, and people who want a practical watch.
  • Rolex is a luxury brand known for its craftsmanship, prestige, and investment value. Rolex watches are made from high-quality materials like gold and platinum, with precise mechanical movements that can last generations.
If you want a tough, feature-packed, and budget-friendly watch, Casio is the way to go. If you want a status symbol, investment, or luxury piece with exquisite craftsmanship, Rolex is better.
 
wagudc
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They AI's present a lot of the same information, but I think ChatGPT really nails it with the last sentence.
 
Pastorbottle
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wagudc wagudc
Here is ChatGPT's answer to the same question:

It depends on what you mean by "good." Casio and Rolex serve very different purposes and target entirely different markets.

  • Casio is known for affordability, durability, and functionality. Their G-Shock and digital watches are packed with features like solar charging, atomic timekeeping, and Bluetooth connectivity. They’re great for everyday wear, outdoor activities, and people who want a practical watch.
  • Rolex is a luxury brand known for its craftsmanship, prestige, and investment value. Rolex watches are made from high-quality materials like gold and platinum, with precise mechanical movements that can last generations.
If you want a tough, feature-packed, and budget-friendly watch, Casio is the way to go. If you want a status symbol, investment, or luxury piece with exquisite craftsmanship, Rolex is better.
Exquisite craftsmanship and Rolex are a contradiction in terms..........The is bugger all craftsmanship involved in manufacturing mass produced goods!
 
MtnMarine
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Larry S Larry S
Doubt you will see may first responders or military personnel wearing Rolex. You will see Casio and Timex on their wrists.
During my 2 deployments, I wore a G shock along most of my unit. No one wore a Rolex. As a combat unit, we were told that we couldn’t have shiny metal watches of any kind, dark non reflective colors only. (But that could have just my commander/unit rules)

Edit: thinking back on it now, on my 2nd deployment, our commander actually required every Marine in my unit to wear a watch (timepiece as he called it). It was one of his first orders when he took command before we went over.
 
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