Casio STR-200-2
An Early Solar Sports Watch That Still Impresses
There is something about Casio watches from the late 1990s and early 2000s that I particularly like. They weren't afraid to experiment with designs, and the result was often a watch that looked completely different from anything else in the range.
The Casio STR-200-2, released in 2002 and powered by module 2535, is a perfect example.
This particular watch in my collection is in mint condition, which is remarkable considering its age. More importantly, it is still running on its original rechargeable battery more than two decades later.
For me, that says quite a lot about just how well Casio got this watch right.
A Proper Early-2000s Casio
The STR-200 was designed primarily as a sports and running watch, and that is immediately apparent fromits appearance.
It's chunky without being enormous, colourful without looking ridiculous, and the large digital display issurrounded by the kind of purposeful detailing that Casio did particularly well during this period.
I also much prefer the STR-200 to the newer model that followed it.
There's simply more character here. The shape, colours and unusual layout give the STR-200 an identity ofits own. It looks unmistakably like a Casio from the early 2000s rather than something designed to appealto everybody.
And that's a large part of its charm.
More Than Just a Stopwatch
Calling the STR-200 a basic sports watch would be doing it a disservice.
The module 2535 was designed with runners in mind and allows you to enter your stride length so thewatch can calculate distance travelled. There's also a pacer function to help maintain a particular runningrhythm.
The stopwatch measures to 1/100th of a second
and can record lap and split times, while the memory can store up to 61 records. It can also retain information such as total distance and best lap results.
For a watch released in 2002, that's a surprisingly capable little training tool.
Obviously, today you can put a GPS smartwatch on your wrist and have every imaginable statistic recordedautomatically. But that's missing the point.
The STR-200 does everything using a simple digital module, a few buttons and no phone, app, Bluetoothconnection or subscription.
I rather like that.
Solar Power – And Mine Is Still Going
One of my favourite things about the STR-200-2 is its solar-powered module.
A solar cell beneath the dial converts light into electrical energy, which is stored in a rechargeable CTL1616 cell. Casio designed the system so that under normal circumstances the rechargeable cell shouldn't require routine replacement.
My watch is a particularly good demonstration of that.
It's still running on its original rechargeable battery from 2002.
After roughly 24 years, it continues to charge and operate as it should.
That's impressive.
The module also has a battery-level indicator, so you can see the state of charge rather than simply waitingfor the watch to stop.
Power Saving Makes a Difference
Another feature that has probably helped my example survive so well is Power Saving.
When enabled, leaving the watch in darkness causes it to enter a sleep state and shut down the display to conserve energy. Bring it back into the light and it wakes up again.
It's a simple idea, but over more than two decades those periods of reduced power consumptionundoubtedly add up.
Casio's own instructions specifically recommend enabling Power Saving when the watch is being stored forextended periods, along with keeping it somewhere that receives sufficient light.
Considering mine still has its original rechargeable cell, I'm certainly not going to argue with the results.
Plenty of Everyday Features Too
Despite its running focus, the STR-200 works perfectly well as an everyday digital watch.
Alongside the sports functions you get a countdown timer, five daily alarms, an hourly time signal and dual time.
There's also an electroluminescent backlight with an automatic light function – another feature thatinstantly takes me back to Casios of this era.
The countdown timer can be set from 10 seconds all the way up to 100 hours and includes an auto-repeatfunction, making it considerably more versatile than the basic timers fitted to many digital watches.
The calendar handles dates automatically, while either 12- or 24-hour time can be selected.
It's one of those Casios where you keep finding functions hidden inside the module.
A Survivor From a Great Casio Era
Condition makes a huge difference to older resin Casios.
They were designed to be used, so many surviving examples have understandably picked up plenty ofknocks, scratches and general wear over the years.
That's what makes my STR-200-2 particularly special to me.
Finding one from 2002 in mint condition, still operating properly and still using its original rechargeable cell makes it feel almost like a snapshot of Casio's range from that period.
It's also a reminder that solar-powered Casios were already extremely capable long before Tough Solarbecame something most enthusiasts immediately associated with models such as the G-Shock range.
The Casio Collector Verdict
The Casio STR-200-2 is exactly the sort of older Casio that I enjoy owning.
It's unusual, unmistakably early-2000s and packed with features that actually made sense for its intendedpurpose. The running functions are genuinely useful rather than simply being there to fill a specificationsheet, and the solar module removes the need for conventional battery changes.
I also much prefer it to the newer model.
The STR-200 has more character. It looks like a watch from a period when Casio weren't frightened ofproducing something slightly odd, colourful and purpose-built.
But perhaps the most impressive thing about my particular example isn't the design or even the condition.
It's the fact that a solar watch manufactured in 2002 is still happily running on its original rechargeable battery around 24 years later.
You can't ask for a much better demonstration of longevity than that.
For me, this one's definitely a keeper.
Specifications
Model: Casio STR-200-2
Year: 2002
Module: 2535
Display: Digital LCD
Power: Solar powered
Rechargeable cell: CTL1616
Power Saving: Yes
Battery-level indicator: Yes
Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month at normal temperature
Time format: 12/24 hour
Calendar: Automatic calendar
Stopwatch: 1/100 second
Maximum stopwatch measurement: 99 hours, 59 minutes, 59.99 seconds
Stopwatch memory: Up to 61 records
Running functions: Lap/split timing, stride-length input, distance calculation, pacer function and best-laprecording
Countdown timer: 10 seconds to 100 hours with auto-repeat
Alarms: 5 daily alarms, including snooze function
Hourly signal: Yes
Dual time: Yes
Backlight: Electroluminescent (EL) with auto-light function
Additional features: Battery recovery indication and Power Saving/Sleep mode
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