Casio is celebrating half a century of digital watch innovation by shrinking its expertise down to ring size. The CRW-001-1 JR Ring Watch is not a smart ring—it’s a classic, unapologetically digital timepiece you wear on your finger. While it may not help you text or track steps, it’s got enough features to make you question why watches have hogged all the glory for decades.
This isn’t Casio’s first playful foray into finger watches—last year’s Stasto Stand Stones ring watch was a whimsical, toy-like accessory that brought smiles but stayed out of serious horology. The new model is a different story. It’s a fully functional digital watch, crafted from stainless steel, complete with a 7-segment LCD display for hours, minutes, seconds, date, dual time, and even a stopwatch. With a flash of nostalgia, Casio’s nod to their Timex rival—remember the Timex Ring Watch?—feels like a playful jab: “We’ve outdone you, and we’ve done it with flair (i.e. tells time!).”
Sized for practicality, the CRW-001-1 JR fits a 22-size ring (US 10.5), with spacers for smaller sizes. At just 16 grams, it won’t weigh you down while you admire its full-metal construction, LED backlight, and water resistance for everyday use. There’s even a flashing light alarm feature for a subtle nudge when it’s time to move—or just stare at your hand in awe.
In a world obsessed with big and bold, Casio reminds us that sometimes less is more, especially when it’s cleverly engineered. For those tempted to join this finger-sized revolution, the CRW-001-1 JR Ring Watch will be available in December for 19,800 yen [JP] ($19,800 US). It comes in a special pouch to keep it safe—though you’ll probably never want to take it off.
Images: Casio [JP].
