Who understood the life is no longer in a hurry,
Saves every moment and watches
As a child sleeps, the old man prays,
How rain goes and like snowflakes melt.
Omar Khayam
I enjoy it when it rains on the weekends after a long week of work. Not only do I appreciate this type of weather, especially after a vacation at the beach where I forget what clouds look like, but it also gives me an excuse to relax at home with a tablet and a cup of delicious coffee instead of rushing to the grocery store early in the morning.
On a cold autumn day, while rain poured outside my window, I stumbled upon an article about the AE-21W and other watches from its series. As I read on, I couldn’t help but think about how unique and innovative the designs were, particularly with their animated displays. However, I was content with my AE-1000W watch and continued reading.
Of course, it’s not like there weren’t any other options available besides the AE series. The AE-1000W, AE-1100W, AE-1200WH, and AE-1300WH models were all still being sold in stores, along with a few pricier options that featured mineral oil. But despite these choices, we yearned for something new and exciting. And finally, after waiting patiently, our wish was granted.
Today, we will take a closer look at the WS-1600H-1AV model – a throwback to the retro style of the 80s, yet still incredibly popular today.
Out of all the different AE-series models, my personal favorite is the 1000. I still have it, but my opinion changed today. If there’s a smaller version available with a bracelet, it would be amazing. Like the AE-1200WHD-1AV was back in its time. Ugh!
It is undeniable that CASIO made a wise decision in selecting the 1200-1300 series case. This model embodies the true essence of CASIO’s reliability and affordability, boasting quality features and durable materials at an affordable price point.
Whether you own multiple AE models or just one, you can trust that they will serve you dutifully for many years. Some models even maintain their original battery life. Notably, the reviewed model shares the same functions as the AE-1300.
The dimensions are also almost identical to those of the AE-1200/1300.
The case size (L×W×H) is 45 × 42.1 × 12.5 mm. Weight 39 g. Lightweight and comfortable.
Here it is, the old handsome AE-22W- AKA [Twin Graph II] on a 1988 [808] module to which our hero refers. Or some other from those days. The Casio TS-1200 thermometer model, for example, also had a similar element.
It’s a serene scene, where one can sit for hours sipping coffee, listening to the rain, and daydreaming.
At first glance, the watch appears to have numerous moving parts that display a plethora of enigmatic information. Only the device’s owner can decipher it, and Mad Max may also comprehend it.’
I’m not entirely sure why the model was filled in with fish indicator, moon phases, and waves (WS) instead of AE. It could possibly be due to line reformatting for (Watches – Sports), resulting in favorite models being under the WS index. Alternatively, there may be something in the works for the AE-1600. It’s uncertain at this point, but time will reveal more information.
The display, unlike other models, namely its part with the main information occupies 2/3 of the total area, which has a positive effect on readability. Very convenient! Only the AE-1500 is better.
The springbars used in this product are durable and unlikely to be damaged. Additionally, the back cover features new indices which may seem unusual. As for the water protection and module information, it is still provided through engraved text in the traditional manner.
At some point, you’ll need to bid farewell to the lettering. It’s inevitable. However, some individuals choose to remove them right away using a solvent because they don’t prefer them. In my case, the outermost letters vanished after about two years, and I had to remove the rest of them.
The watch’s display has a notable depth that provides good protection from accidents like stepping on it. The thickness of the glass around the bezel is also worth noting. Unlike my AE-1000 watch with its spherical glass, this one has a flat surface that will collect fewer scratches.
Ten-minute segments are semi-transparent and as if strung on a dotted line, and the height at which the characters “float” above the substrate is small, which allows you to read the information well – there is no obvious bifurcation of the text.
Though the backlight is retro, pleasant warm orange color, but it illuminates from two angles. The information can be seen well, does not cause any inconvenience.
In the current time mode, all relevant information is clearly displayed for easy readability. However, the stopwatch function is not implemented in a standard manner. Those who wish to understand its usage can refer to the manual for assistance. Personally, I find it a bit strange and may require some practice to use effectively.
Preset timer. You have 9 ready timers for 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 minutes.
Additionally, I can customize the interval timer for you. It can hold up to nine time intervals, which is great for exercises. For instance, you can set the first interval for exercise, the second for rest, the third for the second round of exercise, the fourth for rest, the fifth for exercise again, the sixth for rest, and so on. Moreover, you can set it to cycle if you wish.
World time: you can set the watch for 48 cities in 29 time zones.
And there is only one alarm clock and it is as simple as a stump.
The timer is a pleasure to watch. The appropriate number of segments appear and all should disappear by the end of the countdown.
The strap is ordinary, no extra features, but it is quite soft and comfortable. I can’t predict how long it will last, but from my experience I can say that I haven’t changed it yet. It has not puffed up or cracked.
The buttons are made from classic stainless steel and are very comfortable to press thanks to the large protrusions.
The owner’s attitude towards their belongings also plays a role in the appearance of the watch. It is worth noting that some may wear their G-SHOCK watch to the point that it looks like it has been to Mars, but in such cases, restoring the acrylic surface can be made much easier than with mineral glass.
When polishing the mineral glass on a CASIO watch, patience is key to achieving good results. However, with acrylic, the process is much easier and can be done while whistling a cheerful tune. 😊
P.S. My AE model has undergone a lot of wear and tear, but after polishing the glass, it looks much better. Even so, the protective film on the watch helps prevent the appearance of new scratches.
Conclusion
I’m sure many enthusiasts have already started customizing this model. We’ll soon see their creative modifications in the relevant groups. CASIO’s strategy for this watch lines may be hard to understand, but it’s more interesting to observe our favorite brand this way. “He who has understood life does not hurry anymore” – this quote comes to mind when looking at the new products.
Speaking of the WS-1600H-1AV, the hero of this review, I’m confident that it will be just as popular as its siblings, and it will last for more than one year.
Sasha Shebedyak, specially for casiofanmag.com & casioblog.com
During my school days, I developed an interest in collecting watches, which was inspired by my father’s work of repairing them on order. However, simply owning watches was not sufficient for me; I love writing reviews about them and sharing my impressions with future CASIO enthusiasts. I have a humble collection where I admire every model, but my top picks are the GW-5000U, DW-5000SS, DW-5735D, DW-5040RX, EF-558D, MTD-1053D, and AE-1000W. Write for casioblog.com & casiofanmag.com.
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