Casio CRW001-1 Ring Watch (photo: R. Naas)
Recently, I got to go hands-on — or more precisely, fingers-on — with the new Casio CRW001-1 Ring Watch, and let me tell you, it was a lot of fun. From the moment I slipped it on, it started conversations everywhere I went. People noticed it immediately, leaned in curiously, and inevitably asked, “Is that a watch on your finger?” It’s playful, a bit eccentric, and an absolute nostalgia hit — the kind of thing that makes you smile just wearing it.
Released in celebration of Casio’s 50th anniversary, the CRW001-1 is a modern reinterpretation of the brand’s original ring watch, combining retro styling with serious micro-engineering. While it looks like a novelty, the tech behind it is no joke. Casio had to shrink their standard watch module by a factor of ten to create a fully functional digital watch that fits on a finger. Optimized high-density mounting and a smaller button battery make it possible, and the result is a three-button, 6-digit LCD display that offers time, date, dual time, stopwatch, alarm, and 12/24-hour formats — all in a case that’s just over 25 mm long and weighs a mere 16 grams.
Casio CRW001-1 Ring Watch is crafted in stainless steel and has fine adjustability in the shank.
The construction is just as impressive. To replicate the familiar dimpled pattern found on classic Casio bands, the case, case back, and ring are molded in one piece using metal injection molding (MIM) — a method that mixes fine metal powders and resin and injects them into molds with precision. A specialized glass adhesive ensures a tight seal for water resistance, while still allowing battery changes. It’s all surprisingly high-tech for something that’s so much fun to wear.
Casio CRW001-1 Ring Watch in exploded view.
The ring fits a US size 10.5 (20 mm inner diameter) but comes with two silicone spacers (sizes 19 and 16) to help accommodate slimmer fingers. On very petite hands, it might feel a little bold, but I loved how it looked on me — futuristic and shiny without being too over-the-top. The full-metal finish gives it a stylish gleam, and it pairs surprisingly well with everything from a T-shirt to a stacked bracelet look.
One of my favorite features? The time flash. You can preset a daily time, and the watch emits a subtle, pulsing glow — a poetic little reminder of the “twinkling of time.” It’s not the kind of light that will help you read in the dark, but it’s a charming touch that adds personality.
Casio CRW001-1 Ring Watch retails for $120. (Photo: R. Naas)
At $120, the Casio CRW001-1 is a pure celebration of fun, form, and function. It may not be your everyday timepiece, but as a limited-edition collector’s item — and a total conversation starter — it’s well worth adding to your digital watch collection. This is Casio at its most whimsical, and I’m here for it.
