Casio F-94WA-9
“Bumblebee”
The Casio F-94WA-9 is proof that sometimes a small change in colour can completely transform a watch.
Mechanically and functionally, it is essentially the same watch as the F-94WA-8, but visually the two have very different personalities. The bright yellow detailing against the black resin case gives the F-94WA-9 a much more distinctive appearance and has earned it the unofficial “Bumblebee” nickname among Casio collectors.
Of the two F-94WA colourways, this is easily my favourite.
The yellow accents give what is otherwise a very simple and inexpensive digital Casio a surprising amount of character. It still has that unmistakable old-school Casio appearance, but it stands out just enough without becoming overly bright or flashy.
Classic Casio Simplicity
Like its F-94WA-8 sibling, the F-94WA-9 is an incredibly lightweight watch.
The resin case measures just 38.2 × 33.2 × 8.5 mm and the entire watch weighs only 21 grams. On the wrist, you can very easily forget you're wearing it.
Despite the compact dimensions, the LCD display is clear and gives you the essential information at a glance, including the time, seconds, day and date.
Functionality is deliberately straightforward.
There's a 1/100-second stopwatch, daily alarm, hourly time signal, automatic calendar and built-in light. Nothing particularly exotic, but everything you're likely to need from a basic everyday digital watch.
That's really part of the charm of the F-94WA-9. There's very little to go wrong and virtually nothing you need to learn before using it.
The “Bumblebee”
Where this version really wins for me is the design.
The yellow detailing around the display works brilliantly against the predominantly black watch and gives it considerably more personality than the more subdued F-94WA-8.
It's easy to see where the Bumblebee nickname came from.
For collectors, it's also a nice alternative to the almost unavoidable F-91W. The F-91W is deservedly a Casio icon, but the F-94WA-9 offers that same basic philosophy — lightweight, inexpensive and uncomplicated — in a design that you don't see on nearly as many wrists.
Seven-Year Battery
Casio rates the F-94WA-9 for approximately seven years of battery life from a single CR2016 battery.
That's another example of what makes these inexpensive Casio digitals so appealing. You can put one on, use it whenever you want and potentially go years without needing to give the battery a second thought.
The Casio Collector Verdict
The F-94WA-8 is a great little Casio, but if I could only keep one of the two, I'd choose the F-94WA-9 every time.
Functionally there's virtually nothing separating them. It's purely the appearance that does it for me.
Those yellow accents completely change the personality of the watch and give the F-94WA-9 an identity of its own. The Bumblebee nickname suits it perfectly.
It's cheap, ridiculously lightweight, comfortable, easy to use and powered by a battery that Casio rates for around seven years.
The legendary F-91W will probably always overshadow watches such as the F-94WA, but that's actually part of the appeal. The F-94WA-9 feels like one of those slightly overlooked Casios that collectors discover after they've already bought the obvious classics.
And between the two F-94s?
The Bumblebee wins for me. Every time.
Specifications
Model: Casio F-94WA-9
Collector Nickname: “Bumblebee”
Display: Digital LCD
Case/Bezel: Resin
Strap: Resin
Crystal: Resin glass
Case Size: 38.2 × 33.2 × 8.5 mm
Weight: 21 g
Water Resistance: Water resistant
Battery: CR2016
Approx. Battery Life: 7 years
Accuracy: ±30 seconds per month
Stopwatch: 1/100 second, measuring capacity 59'59.99"
Alarm: Daily alarm
Hourly Time Signal: Yes
Calendar: Auto-calendar, with February set at 28 days
Light: Built-in light
Timekeeping: Hours, minutes, seconds, PM, date and day
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