an a miniature vintage watch worn around your finger actually justify a three-figure price tag?
Casio thinks so, launching a dedicated successor to its original finger-mounted timepiece called the CRW-002. In simple terms, this is pure nineties styling shrunk down to fingertip proportions, selling nostalgia as hardware. If you plan to spend real cash here, understand the trade-off immediately: you are buying a tiny retro novelty rather than a modern smart tracker, and Casio expects you to pay wrist-watch money for the privilege.
Shrunk Down from 1995
The entire visual appeal leans directly into history. The design of the CRW-002 is based on the classic Casio A168 from 1995. Under a mineral glass face sits an old-school seven-segment liquid-crystal display (a digital screen using segments that turn on and off) that displays hours, minutes, and seconds, packed inside an injection-molded metal casing and band. You also get three fully working side buttons to control the interface.
The design of the CRW-002 is based on the Casio A168 from 1995.
Casio did something novel in 2024 by releasing its first digital watch in the form of a ring, followed later by a second ring watch that incorporated health tracking features. However, the new CRW-002 abandons those wellness sensors entirely to serve as a direct successor to the original basic model. It runs standard timekeeping functions: you can toggle between 12-hour and 24-hour formats, check an auto calendar, set an LED backlight to flash daily or every hour, and run a 1/100-second stopwatch. The shell is water resistant, yet you will find no heart rate monitor or connected notifications inside. But how does an all-metal ring fit anyone's hand if fingers come in different widths?
The Sizing Fix and Real Cost
The hardware comes in exactly one fixed footprint: size 10.5.
To keep the ring from slipping off smaller hands, Casio includes two silicone inserts in the box—a 19-millimeter spacer and an 18-millimeter spacer. In practice, you must rely on rubber shims rather than picking an exact tailored ring size.
Included with the ring watch is a 19mm spacer and an 18mm spacer.
That limitation makes the price harder to swallow. Casio will release the gadget on its website in November. The silver model will cost $135, while the gold model will sell for $155. I would pass on this if you want utility, but die-hard collectors get an undeniably quirky piece of wearable history.
Casio proves that micro-engineering miniature retro hardware is possible, even if strapping standard nineties electronics onto your knuckle offers zero modern fitness data. Shipments start on Casio's website in November for both the silver and gold editions. If you want a functional miniature A168 on your finger, prepare to pay a premium for pure aesthetic charm.
For comparison
A single fixed size of 10.5 turns the all-metal Casio ring into an uncompromising design statement that sacrifices ergonomic fit for pure miniaturization. Instead of manufacturing multiple ring sizes, Casio relies on silicone spacers included in the box to adjust the fit. The technical charm of the CRW-002 directly clashes with daily utility, offering a miniature display under mineral glass at the price of regular full-sized wristwear. Will the nostalgic appeal of the classic A168 justify using rubber spacers at a $135 price point?