Casio A163WA-1Q
A Less Obvious Retro Digital Classic
The Casio A163WA-1Q is a classic-style digital watch that offers many of the qualities people associate with models such as the A158, but packages them in a slightly different and less commonly seen design.
It combines a compact digital display, silver-coloured case and stainless-steel bracelet with the straightforward functionality that has made Casio’s affordable digital watches so enduring.
For me, one of its biggest attractions is that it isn’t quite as immediately familiar as the A158 or A168.
It still has the unmistakable appearance of a traditional Casio digital, but its broader black face panel, more angular case and distinctive arrangement of coloured markings give it an identity of its own.
Familiar Casio Design with a Different Face
At first glance, the A163WA-1Q follows the established formula of Casio’s classic metal-bracelet digitals.
There’s a compact rectangular LCD display surrounded by a black face panel, a silver-coloured case and a lightweight stainless-steel bracelet.
Look more closely, though, and the differences become clearer.
The face panel has a slightly bolder and more angular design than the A158. The coloured markings and function labels are arranged differently, while the case has a more defined and substantial shape around the display.
None of these changes are dramatic, but together they make the A163 instantly distinguishable once you become familiar with it.
It still looks unmistakably like a classic Casio, just not necessarily the first model most people would name.
A Less Common Alternative to the A158
The A158WA-1 is probably the best-known silver Casio digital of this type.
It’s inexpensive, extremely slim and has become one of the defining watches of Casio’s retro range.
The A163WA-1Q offers much of the same appeal but looks slightly more substantial.
Its case measures approximately 36.8 × 33 × 9.1mm, compared with the slightly slimmer profile of the A158. It also weighs 48 grams, giving it a little more presence without making it remotely heavy.
Functionally, the watches are extremely similar.
Both provide basic digital timekeeping, a stopwatch, daily alarm, hourly signal, calendar and green LED light. Both are also fitted with adjustable stainless-steel bracelets and powered by long-lasting CR2016 batteries.
The choice between them therefore comes largely down to appearance.
The A158 has the more familiar and arguably cleaner face design, while the A163 feels a little less obvious and more individual.
As someone who enjoys collecting different Casio models, that makes the A163 especially appealing.
Compact and Comfortable
Modern watches have generally become much larger, which can make classic Casio digitals appear surprisingly small when first handled.
The A163WA-1Q measures approximately 36.8 × 33 × 9.1mm, but its rectangular shape makes good use of the available space.
The digital display remains clear and easy to read, while the compact case sits neatly against the wrist.
At only 48 grams, including the stainless-steel bracelet, it’s also extremely easy to wear.
There’s enough weight to remind you that it’s fitted with a metal bracelet, but nowhere near enough to make it feel cumbersome.
The slim profile allows it to slide easily beneath a shirt, jumper or jacket cuff. It’s the sort of watch that can be worn throughout the day without demanding much attention.
For anyone accustomed to larger G-Shocks or outdoor watches, wearing something this compact can be a refreshing change.
The Stainless-Steel Bracelet
The A163WA-1Q is fitted with a lightweight stainless-steel bracelet and adjustable clasp.
The bracelet is a major part of the watch’s retro character.
It gives the A163 a smarter and more versatile appearance than an equivalent resin-strapped digital while keeping the overall weight remarkably low.
The sliding clasp can be repositioned along the bracelet, allowing the fit to be adjusted without removing individual links.
Once correctly positioned, it’s possible to achieve a comfortable fit without the large gaps between adjustment points sometimes found on conventional bracelets.
It doesn’t have the substantial construction of a modern solid-link bracelet, but that would feel out of place on a watch like this.
Its lightweight construction suits the slim case and helps preserve the easy-wearing nature of the A163.
Straightforward Everyday Information
The main LCD display shows the hour, minute, seconds, day and date.
All the key information is available without navigating through additional screens, which is exactly what I want from a simple everyday digital watch.
The display is compact but easy to understand.
The time occupies the largest portion of the screen, while the day and date are positioned above it. Small indicators show whether the alarm or hourly signal has been activated.
There are no distracting graphics or decorative sub-displays.
It’s a clean and efficient layout designed around providing useful information as quickly as possible.
Stopwatch, Alarm and Hourly Signal
The A163WA-1Q includes a 1/100-second stopwatch with a measuring capacity of 59 minutes and 59.99 seconds.
It can record elapsed time, split time and first-and-second-place finishing times.
That capacity is limited compared with the 24-hour stopwatches found on larger modern Casios, but it’s perfectly adequate for timing shorter everyday activities.
There’s also a daily alarm and optional hourly time signal.
These are basic functions, but they add genuine usefulness without making the watch unnecessarily complicated.
Everything is controlled through the familiar three-button arrangement, so moving between the time, alarm and stopwatch modes quickly becomes second nature.
The Traditional Green LED Light
The display is illuminated by a small green LED light.
As with the A158 and several other classic Casio digitals, the light shines across the LCD from one side rather than illuminating the entire screen evenly.
It’s sufficient for reading the time in darkness, but it isn’t especially bright.
Anyone expecting the full-screen illumination of an electro-luminescent Casio such as the A168 may find it slightly underwhelming.
Personally, I see it as part of the old-school character of the watch.
It’s a simple and energy-efficient solution that performs its intended purpose, even if it doesn’t provide the most impressive illumination.
Seven-Year Battery Life
The A163WA-1Q uses a CR2016 battery, with Casio quoting an approximate battery life of seven years.
That’s exactly the sort of specification that suits a watch built around simplicity and convenience.
There’s no charging cable, solar panel or mobile application to think about.
Set the time, activate whichever alarm functions you want and the watch can potentially continue running for the best part of a decade before requiring a replacement battery.
Accuracy is rated to approximately ±30 seconds per month, which is typical for an affordable Casio quartz module.
Everyday Water Resistance
Casio describes the A163WA-1Q simply as water resistant, without quoting a specific depth on its current official product page.
It should cope with normal everyday splashes, washing your hands and being caught in the rain.
However, it isn’t intended as a swimming watch and I wouldn’t treat it like a G-Shock or one of Casio’s 100-metre water-resistant sports models.
That doesn’t make it impractical.
The A163 was designed as a slim everyday digital watch rather than a rugged outdoor model. Provided it’s used within those limitations, its water resistance is perfectly reasonable for the type of watch it is.
Small Compromises
As with most affordable classic Casio digitals, there are some compromises.
The silver-coloured case is chrome-plated resin rather than solid stainless steel, while the glass is also resin and will therefore be more vulnerable to scratches.
The side-mounted LED light is fairly modest, and the stopwatch is limited to just under one hour.
However, those choices help keep the watch affordable and lightweight.
The stainless-steel bracelet gives it the appearance of a metal watch, while the resin case ensures it remains comfortable enough to wear all day.
It isn’t trying to provide luxury materials or advanced technology.
Its appeal comes from clear design, useful basic functions and genuine old-school Casio character.
A163WA-1Q or A158WA-1?
Choosing between the A163WA-1Q and A158WA-1 is largely a matter of personal taste.
The A158 is slightly slimmer and has the more widely recognised face design. It’s the obvious choice for someone wanting the quintessential silver Casio digital.
The A163 is a little thicker and heavier, with a bolder, more angular appearance.
It offers essentially the same everyday functions, so there’s no major functional advantage to choosing one over the other.
For me, the A163’s strength is that it’s less predictable.
It has all the classic Casio ingredients but doesn’t appear on quite as many wrists as the A158 or A168. That makes it a particularly interesting addition to a collection of affordable Casio digitals.
They may occupy a similar space, but they don’t feel like exactly the same watch.
The Casio Collector Verdict
The Casio A163WA-1Q is an excellent alternative to Casio’s better-known silver digital watches.
It delivers all the basics I expect from a classic Casio: clear timekeeping, day and date, a stopwatch, daily alarm, hourly signal and an impressively long battery life.
The stainless-steel bracelet gives it a smarter appearance than a resin-strapped digital, while the chrome-plated resin case keeps the overall weight down to just 48 grams.
Its design is where the A163 really earns its place.
The broader black face panel and more angular styling give it a slightly stronger wrist presence than the A158, yet it remains compact, slim and extremely comfortable.
The weak side light, resin glass and basic water resistance are all limitations, but none of them feel unreasonable on such an affordable watch.
For me, the A163WA-1Q is proof that even Casios with very similar functions can have noticeably different personalities.
It isn’t necessarily better than the A158.
It’s simply a less obvious interpretation of the same classic digital formula – and that’s precisely what makes it worth owning.
Compact, practical and slightly different – a classic Casio digital that deserves more attention.
Specifications
Model: Casio A163WA-1Q
Display: Digital LCD
Case and Bezel: Chrome-plated resin
Bracelet: Stainless steel
Clasp: Adjustable clasp
Glass: Resin glass
Dimensions: 36.8 × 33 × 9.1mm
Weight: 48g
Water Resistance: Water resistant
Battery: CR2016
Approximate Battery Life: Seven years
Stopwatch: 1/100 second
Stopwatch Capacity: 59 minutes, 59.99 seconds
Stopwatch Modes: Elapsed time, split time and first/second-place times
Alarm: Daily alarm
Hourly Time Signal: Yes
Lighting: Green LED
Calendar: Automatic calendar set to 28 days for February
Time Format: 12/24-hour
Accuracy: ±30 seconds per month
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