Hi, my name is Anthony — The Casio Collector. I have a genuine passion for budget-friendly watches, particularly Casio and field watches.
What started as an interest in these tough, affordable and incredibly varied watches has developed into a collection that includes everything from classic vintage digitals and G-Shocks to sensor watches, ana-digi models and some of Casio's more unusual releases from over the years.
A big part of the hobby for me is bringing old watches back to life. I enjoy finding watches that have been well used, forgotten about or simply need some attention, and restoring them so they can be enjoyed again. Sometimes that means a simple clean and service, while other projects involve replacing damaged parts, fitting new straps or bezels, polishing, modifying and generally giving a tired old watch a new lease of life. I don't believe every watch needs to be perfect — the marks and scars often tell part of its story.
Although Casio is at the heart of the collection, my interest isn't limited to one brand. I also enjoy discovering other practical, interesting and affordable watches, with a particular appreciation for rugged field watches and watches that were designed to be worn and used rather than kept in a box.
How it Became a Collection
Although I've enjoyed watches for a long time, The Casio Collector as it exists today really began in 2026.
What started as an interest quickly developed into collecting, researching and restoring watches, and before long I found myself just as interested in what was going on inside them as I was in wearing them.
My GW-7900B-1 was the first G-Shock I ever bought, purchased new when the model was released. I still own that same watch today. It still has its original bezel, straps and solar cell, has never let me down and is one watch I know I'll never sell.
But it was during 2026 that the hobby really took off. The collection grew rapidly, I started seeking out older and more unusual models, and watches needing some attention became increasingly difficult for me to scroll past.
From Collecting to Restoring
It didn't take long before I discovered that I got just as much enjoyment from working on watches as I did collecting them.
There's something incredibly satisfying about buying a watch that somebody else has written off, stripping it down, working out what's wrong and seeing it running and looking good again.
Some projects only need a new battery, a clean and a polish. Others have involved replacing crystals, rebuilding deteriorated G-Shocks with new resin, diagnosing electrical faults, replacing solar cells and tracking down tiny missing parts.
I've also started experimenting with modifications when I think they can improve a watch, although I generally prefer changes that complement the original design rather than completely changing its identity.
Not every project goes according to plan — that's part of the fun and usually where you learn the most.
Why Affordable Watches?
For me, the enjoyment of watches has never been determined by the price on the dial.
I've had enormous satisfaction from watches that cost me very little, particularly when they've arrived neglected or not working and I've been able to give them another chance.
An affordable Casio, Timex, Lorus, Seiko or any other interesting watch can have history, clever engineering and character in abundance.
That's what The Casio Collector is really about.
Practical Watches. Real Value. Built for Life.
What You'll Find Here
The Casio Collector is somewhere for me to document and share the watches I own, the ones I restore and modify, and the things I learn along the way. You'll find individual watches from my collection, restoration projects, wrist shots and wrist rolls, information about different models, and straightforward reviews based on actually owning and wearing the watches.
I'm not interested in pretending that every watch is amazing simply because I own it. If there's something I like, I'll say so — and if there's something I don't like, I'll say that too. My aim is to give a collector's perspective rather than a sales pitch.
Most importantly, this website is about enjoying watches. You don't need to spend thousands of pounds to own something interesting, capable or worth collecting. Sometimes a battered old Casio picked up cheaply and brought back to life can be far more satisfying than something considerably more expensive.
