Casio SGW-400H-1B2V
An Ana-Digi Outdoor Watch with Real Character
The Casio SGW-400H-1B2VER is one of those slightly overlooked outdoor watches that delivers an impressive amount of functionality without stepping up to the price of a Pro Trek.
Like the SGW-300H, it offers an altimeter, barometer and thermometer, but the SGW-400 presents those features in a very different way.
The combination of analogue hands, a digital display and black-and-gold colouring gives it more of an adventure-watch appearance than a conventional digital Casio.
It is chunky, distinctive and packed with features, but the lightweight resin construction makes it much easier to wear than its dimensions might suggest.
Analogue Time with Digital Functionality
One of the most obvious differences between the SGW-400H and many other outdoor-focused Casios is its ana-digi display.
The traditional hour and minute hands make it easy to glance down and read the time, while the digital display handles the date, world time, alarms, stopwatch, timer and sensor information.
I like this arrangement because it gives the watch the familiar readability of an analogue model without sacrificing the functionality of a digital Casio.
The minute hand moves every 20 seconds, which helps give the analogue display a smoother appearance than you might expect from an affordable quartz watch.
There is inevitably quite a lot happening on the dial, but the different display sections organise the information surprisingly well.
Pro Trek Style Sensor Functions
The main attraction is Casio’s Twin Sensor technology, which allows the SGW-400H to measure altitude, atmospheric pressure and temperature.
The altimeter has a measuring range of -700 to 10,000 metres, with readings displayed in five-metre increments.
You can also set a reference altitude and use the watch to monitor changes in elevation. This makes it useful for walking, hiking and keeping track of your progress during climbs and descents.
As with other pressure-based wristwatch altimeters, the displayed altitude can be affected by changes in atmospheric pressure. For the most useful results, it is worth calibrating the watch against a known altitude before beginning a walk.
It should be treated as a helpful outdoor reference rather than a precision navigation instrument.
Monitoring Atmospheric Pressure
The barometer measures atmospheric pressure from 260 to 1,100 hPa and includes a pressure-difference pointer.
That pointer provides a quick visual indication of how the current pressure compares with a previous reading.
Monitoring whether atmospheric pressure is rising or falling can help give an indication of changing weather conditions. It will not replace a proper forecast, but it adds genuine practical value to the watch when spending time outdoors.
It is one of those functions that may not be needed every day, but it suits the purpose and character of the SGW-400 perfectly.
The Thermometer
The built-in thermometer measures from -10°C to 60°C.
As with most wrist-mounted temperature sensors, body heat affects the reading while the watch is being worn. For a more accurate ambient temperature, the watch needs to be removed and allowed time to adjust to its surroundings.
That makes it more of an occasional reference tool than something I would monitor constantly.
However, this is normal for watches using this type of sensor and not a particular weakness of the SGW-400H.
The Black-and-Gold Colour Scheme
What I particularly like about the SGW-400H-1B2VER is its colour scheme.
The black case and strap give it a rugged base, while the gold and warm orange detailing add some character without making the watch overly bright or flashy.
It feels more distinctive than an entirely black outdoor watch, but the colours still suit its practical design.
The gold-toned hands also stand out well against the darker dial, making the analogue time relatively easy to read despite the amount of information surrounding it.
For me, this is one of the more attractive versions of the SGW-400 because it manages to look functional and interesting at the same time.
Large but Surprisingly Lightweight
The SGW-400H measures approximately 50.8 × 51.9 × 14.9mm, so there is no pretending it is a small watch.
It has plenty of wrist presence and will be immediately noticeable, particularly on a smaller wrist.
However, it weighs only around 51 grams.
That low weight makes an enormous difference. The watch looks substantial, but it does not have the heaviness that its size might suggest.
The resin strap and case also make it comfortable enough for extended wear, which is important for something designed with walking, hiking and general outdoor use in mind.
It is undeniably large, but it is far easier to wear than the dimensions alone would suggest.
Plenty of Everyday Features
Alongside its outdoor sensors, the SGW-400H includes the usual collection of practical Casio functions.
World time covers 48 cities across 31 time zones, while the stopwatch measures to 1/100 of a second and can run for up to 24 hours.
There is also a 24-hour countdown timer, five independent daily alarms, an hourly time signal and a full automatic calendar running through to 2099.
Illumination comes from a white LED with afterglow.
Water resistance is rated at 100 metres, making it perfectly suitable for everyday use, swimming and general outdoor activities.
It is also designed to operate at temperatures down to -10°C, reinforcing the fact that this was intended as a genuinely capable outdoor watch rather than simply something styled to look rugged.
Three Years from a CR2016
The SGW-400H runs on a CR2016 battery, with Casio quoting an approximate battery life of three years.
That is fairly ordinary by Casio standards, particularly when many simpler models offer five or ten years.
However, the SGW-400 is powering an analogue display, digital functions, illumination and several sensors. Some reduction in battery life is therefore understandable.
Three years is still perfectly manageable, but it is one of the compromises involved in owning a more feature-packed Casio.
The Compromises
The most obvious drawback is the size.
Although the 51-gram weight keeps it comfortable, the SGW-400H is still a large watch and will not suit everybody.
The analogue hands can also obscure parts of the digital display at certain times. That is a common compromise with ana-digi watches, although the hands remain one of the features that give the SGW-400 its character.
The altimeter needs to be calibrated if you want the most useful results, while the thermometer works best after the watch has been removed from the wrist.
The three-year battery life is not especially impressive either.
None of these points ruins the watch, but they are worth understanding. The SGW-400H offers a lot of functionality, and that inevitably comes with a few compromises.
The Casio Collector Verdict
The Casio SGW-400H-1B2VER is a very capable and somewhat forgotten Casio outdoor watch.
Its altimeter, barometer and thermometer provide genuine functionality for walking, hiking and monitoring changing conditions, while the analogue hands make the basic time immediately accessible.
The black-and-gold colour scheme gives this particular version plenty of character, and I think it suits the rugged design extremely well.
It is large, but the low weight keeps it surprisingly comfortable. It also offers far more functionality than its relatively affordable position in the Casio range might suggest.
The sensor readings need to be understood and used sensibly, the hands can occasionally cover the digital display and the battery life is fairly average. However, those are reasonable compromises for such a feature-packed ana-digi watch.
For me, the SGW-400H represents exactly what made the older SGW and OutGear ranges so interesting: unusual designs, practical features and Pro Trek-style capability at a much more accessible price.
Rugged, distinctive and genuinely capable – an overlooked ana-digi Casio with plenty of outdoor character.
Specifications
Model: Casio SGW-400H-1B2VER
Module: 5176
Display: Analogue-Digital
Analogue Display: Two hands for hours and minutes
Case and Bezel: Resin case with aluminium bezel
Band: Resin band
Glass: Resin/Spherical glass
Dimensions: 50.8 × 51.9 × 14.9mm
Weight: Approximately 51g
Water Resistance: 100 metres
Low-Temperature Resistance: -10°C
Sensors: Altimeter, barometer and thermometer
Altimeter Range: -700 to 10,000 metres
Altimeter Measuring Unit: Five metres
Altimeter Functions: Current altitude and reference-altitude setting
Barometer Range: 260 to 1,100 hPa
Barometer Functions: Atmospheric-pressure reading and pressure-difference pointer
Thermometer Range: -10°C to 60°C
World Time: 48 cities across 31 time zones
Stopwatch: 1/100 second, up to 24 hours
Countdown Timer: Up to 24 hours
Alarms: Five independent daily alarms
Hourly Time Signal: Yes
Lighting: White LED with afterglow
Calendar: Full auto-calendar to 2099
12/24-Hour Format: Yes
Button Tone: Can be switched on or off
Battery: CR2016
Approximate Battery Life: Three years
Accuracy: ±30 seconds per month
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