Casio AW-90H-9
Affordable Ana-Digi With One Thing Missing
Another Argos Voucher Strikes Again
There wasn't a complicated story behind buying my Casio AW-90H-9.
I like ana-digi watches.
The AW-90H was affordable.
And, once again, I had some Argos vouchers to use.
Apparently Argos vouchers and my Casio collection are becoming dangerously closely linked.
I'd already liked the look of the watch, so having vouchers sitting there simply made the decision easier.
Or, as I've learned to describe these situations:
The voucher just accelerated the inevitable.
Why Ana-Digi Works for Me
I've always liked analogue-digital watches.
There's something about having traditional hands and a digital display together that gives you the best of both worlds.
The analogue section makes checking the basic time instant and familiar, while the digital section can handle the extra information and functions without cluttering the main dial.
The AW-90H keeps that idea particularly simple.
Two hands dominate the dial, while the digital window at six o'clock handles time, seconds, date, day and the additional modes.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing unnecessarily complicated.
Just a very straightforward Casio ana-digi.
Module 3321
My AW-90H uses module 3321.
Functionally, it's a simple module: Dual Time, 1/100-second stopwatch, daily alarm, hourly time signal, calendar and 12/24-hour digital time.
That isn't an enormous list by Casio standards, but for an inexpensive everyday watch it covers the basics nicely.
Sometimes simplicity is part of the appeal.
Dual Time
The Dual Time function is particularly appropriate for an ana-digi watch.
You already have the analogue hands showing your main time, while the digital section can be used to keep track of a second time.
It's not a huge multi-city World Time system and it doesn't need to be.
If all you want is another time zone available at a glance, Dual Time does the job without adding unnecessary complexity.
A Simple Stopwatch
There's also a 1/100-second stopwatch with a maximum measuring capacity just under one hour.
Again, nothing elaborate.
No huge lap memory.
No 100-hour timing capacity.
No training database.
Press start, time something, stop it.
For the sort of watch the AW-90H is, that's perfectly adequate.
Small, Light and Easy to Wear
One of the AW-90H's biggest strengths is how little watch you're actually carrying around.
The case measures approximately 45 x 38.6 x 9.5 mm and the whole thing weighs only 30 grams.
That's extremely light.
It means the watch can be worn all day without really thinking about it.
There's no enormous case dominating the wrist and no heavy steel bracelet dragging it around.
Put it on and get on with your day.
That's exactly what an inexpensive everyday Casio should do.
50 Metres of Water Resistance
The AW-90H is rated to 50 metres of water resistance when new.
That suits its role as a simple everyday watch.
As always with an older watch, the original rating shouldn't automatically be assumed unless the seals are known to be in good condition or the watch has been tested.
But from the factory, 50 metres gives it a useful level of everyday practicality.
Three Years From an SR920W
Power comes from an SR920W battery, with Casio quoting approximately three years of battery life under normal specified use.
That's not one of Casio's famous 10-year battery models, but three years is still perfectly respectable for a simple quartz ana-digi.
And because there isn't a power-hungry illumination system...
Well.
That brings me neatly to my one real complaint.
Casio... Where's the Bloody Backlight?
I really like the AW-90H.
But there's one omission that still disappoints me.
There is no backlight.
None.
During the day, that's obviously not a problem. The analogue hands are easy enough to read and the little digital display does its job perfectly well.
At night, however, the digital side of the watch effectively loses much of its usefulness unless you've got another light source available.
And that's frustrating because this feels like such an obvious feature for Casio to include.
I'm not asking for a spectacular Electro-Luminescent panel.
I'm not demanding a twin-LED Super Illuminator capable of lighting the bedroom.
Just a little light, Casio, even if it was to only illuminate the digital display.
Would it really have killed you?
Does It Ruin the Watch?
No, not really, but it does limit it’s useability.
The AW-90H remains a lightweight, affordable and genuinely useful ana-digi Casio.
But I also don't believe in pretending every watch I own is perfect simply because it's in my collection.
The lack of illumination is a genuine weakness.
It's particularly noticeable because the digital display is one of the reasons for choosing an ana-digi watch in the first place.
When it's dark, I'd quite like to be able to read it.
Not an unreasonable request, really.
Affordable Casio Done Properly
Put the missing backlight aside and the rest of the AW-90H makes a lot of sense.
It's inexpensive.
It's incredibly light.
You get Dual Time, a stopwatch, alarm and calendar.
There's 50-metre water resistance.
And you get the analogue-digital combination I enjoy.
It isn't pretending to be a premium watch.
It doesn't need to.
It's simply another example of Casio producing a practical watch at a price where you don't have to spend weeks deciding whether you can justify buying it.
Especially when you've got an Argos voucher burning a hole in your pocket.
The Casio Collector Verdict
The Casio AW-90H-9 is a very easy watch for me to like.
I'm already a fan of ana-digi watches, and this gives me that combination in an extremely light and affordable package.
Mine came from Argos, helped along by yet another voucher that apparently needed converting into a Casio.
At only around 30 grams, it's exceptionally comfortable. Module 3321 gives you Dual Time, a 1/100-second stopwatch, daily alarm and the usual calendar functions, while 50-metre water resistance makes it practical enough for everyday use.
There's just one thing missing.
A bloody backlight.
That's the frustrating part because otherwise the AW-90H does exactly what I want from a simple Casio.
Would the lack of a light stop me owning one?
Clearly not.
Would I like the watch even more if Casio had fitted one?
Absolutely.
Still, for an affordable ana-digi bought with vouchers, I'm hardly going to complain too much.
It's simple, comfortable and useful.
And if I need to check the digital display in the dark...
I suppose I'll have to find a torch.
Specifications
Model: Casio AW-90H-9
Module: 3321
Movement: Quartz analogue-digital
Analogue display: Hour and minute hands
Digital display: Hour, minute, second, PM, month, date and day
Case/bezel: Resin
Band: Resin
Glass: Resin
Dimensions: 45 x 38.6 x 9.5 mm
Weight: 30 g
Water resistance: 50 metres
Battery: SR920W
Approximate battery life: 3 years
Accuracy: +/-30 seconds per month
Dual Time: Yes
Stopwatch: 1/100 second
Stopwatch capacity: 59 minutes, 59.99 seconds
Alarm: Daily alarm
Hourly time signal: Yes
Calendar: Auto-calendar (February set to 28 days)
Time format: 12/24 hour
Backlight: No
Why I bought it: Affordable ana-digi, helped along by Argos vouchers
Biggest disappointment: No backlight. Come on, Casio.
A Video Review will be added once created and edited