The first smart ring from Casio features innovative functions such as a stopwatch and a vibrating alarm.
The Casio smart ring takes a different approach.
Casio has recently introduced a digital ring watch that promises to offer more functionality than a similar device from Timex launched last month. This new model, named CRW-001-1JR, is being released as part of the celebrations for Casio's 50th anniversary in the digital watch market. It will be available in Japan starting in December at a price of ¥19,800, which is approximately $128.
Despite its compact size of barely an inch, the ring watch features a six-segment retro LCD display that shows hours, minutes, and seconds. Additionally, it includes three buttons that allow access to extra functions, such as displaying the date and time in different time zones, along with a stopwatch feature.
The CRW-001-1JR's design is made of polished stainless steel, giving it an elegant finish. A standout feature is that the display has a backlight and an alarm function that uses flashes instead of an audible sound to alert the user. It operates on a battery that the company claims will last approximately two years and is easy to replace.
The watch's size is not adjustable, but Casio provides spacers to improve the fit for slimmer fingers. To ensure the watch retains the design and details of the brand's iconic digital watches, it is produced as a single piece through a metal injection molding process. This contrasts with the Timex watch, which has an elastic strap. The CRW-001-1JR maintains a fixed size of US 10.5, and those with larger fingers will need to seek another alternative for checking the time.
Last year, Casio released a series of ring watches that imitated some of its most iconic digital models from the last five decades, although these were not functional. The arrival of this new operational watch is an interesting step for the brand. It remains to be seen what surprises Casio will bring for its 75th anniversary, perhaps a ring watch with a calculator.
