Need a Nerd Watch - Check out the Casio Classic Calculator & Calendar Watch

Wristwatch Review: Casio Classic Calculator and Calendar Watch.

I've built up quite a collection of watches, but I haven't had much nerd watch cred.  Until now...

It's a classic calculator watch from Casio.  That's model CA53W-1 for all the uber-nerds out there.  It's definitely a nerd watch!  But, I'm ready for a math word problem at any time!  

Updating this post in 2024, here's my review from 2012 -

Long, long ago, when digital watches were new to our planet, the calculator watch was a stunning technical achievement. Now, it's a fondly nostalgic timepiece for retro nerds. Of course, when I walked into my apartment wearing the Casio Classic Calculator and Calendar Watch, I soon found out that not everyone is nostalgic about it.

  "Is that your geek watch?"
 
  "Yeah, it's my nerd watch."

  "Did you wear that to work?"

That quick conversation with my wife let me know that I wasn't getting any cool points for wearing a calculator on my wrist. My week of wearing the Casio Classic Calculator and Calendar Watch wasn't off to a great start. It's a digital watch that prepares wearers for an adventure in math. It's not a glamorous vision.

The watch itself (model CA53W-1) is functional and provides time, date, stopwatch and calculator functions. The display gives you the time and day of the week at a glance. A push of an exposed button on the right side of the watch activates the calculator. A second push shows you the time for the alarm. A third push displays a second timezone time and a fourth button push gets you to the 1/100 of a second stopwatch. A smaller recessed button is pressed when you want to set the time or alarms. The stop watch is started and stopped via buttons on the calculator.

The Casio Calculator watch is water resistant to 30 meters and survived when I got caught in a sudden rainstorm. However, with all the buttons on this watch, I'd prefer to keep it dry. The calculator works and is convenient to have on hand (or wrist). You can expect 5 years of battery life with this watch. The Casio Calculator watch itself works well, but has a few drawbacks. First, the numerals and markings on the calculator keypad are small. I need to use a a magnifier or reading glasses to see the numerals and functions. Second, this watch does not have the same button navigation pattern of most watches so there is a slight learning curve. Third, I was unable to find any light to illuminate the face of this watch at night.

While this Casio Classic Calculator and Calendar Watch is perfectly practical, the main reason to own this watch is nostalgia. When the digital watch first arrived on the scene in the 1970s, it was truly a marvel. It evolved from the LED digital watch to the LCD digital watch and then to the calculator watch. When the calculator watch was introduced, it was truly a marvel. However, the features of today's more expensive digital watches far surpass this humble Casio that sells for $19 at Walmart. You can get watches like the Casio Pathfinder Hunting Timer that tell you when to go hunting or fishing. Other watches provide compasses, altimeters, and Global Positioning System (GPS) functionality. But, all those wonders started with the calculator watch. For that reason alone, this Casio Calculator Watch is a worthy addition to any watch collection.

Amazingly in 2024, the Casio Classic Calculator and Calendar Watch (Model CA53W-1) is still in production and available on Amazon.

Thrift Store Clock - Westclox Dialite

I spotted this interesting vintage clock at a local thrift store.  It plugs into the wall, has a very smooth continuous motion second hand, and cost less than $3.  Plus, it was made in the U.S.A.

A vintage Westclox Dialite Alarm Clock

Amazingly, you can still find similar clocks on Amazon.  You just won't find them with a "Made in USA" logo on the dial.  You can find this Equity by La Crosse Alarm clock that brings back much of the look.

An Equity by La Crosse Corded Alarm Clock

Rugged "Bang Around" Watches for Men

If you are like me, you need a watch that you can "bang around" with and not worry about too much.  They can't cost too much and they have to look cool.  Fortunately, lots of inexpensive watches fit the bill! These are some of the best inexpensive sport watches. Here are some of my favorites in no particular order:

Timex Ironman Triathlon

You can read my review of the Timex Ironman Triathlon here on this blog.

"Walmart Tactical"

This watch (above) that I dub the Walmart Tactical watch looks every bit as macho as some of the tactical watches that cost big money.  But, I found it at Walmart for an amazing $10.

Casio Forester

The Casio Forester (above) is a classic cheap watch.  It's great for kids or adults--especially if they still climb trees and walk about in the woods.  You can read my full review of the Casio Forester here on this blog. 

Timex Expedition Camper

The Timex Expedition Camper is another classic bang around watch.  It has a simple design that is easy to read and reminds me of a military watch.  You'll find many variations on the Timex Camper theme here at Amazon.

Timex Expedition Core Analog

For a larger watch dial and more contemporary style, check out the Timex Expedition Core Analog watch.  For less than $50, there's a lot to like about this watch. 

Need a dark paramilitary look? Try this Timex Expedition!

The Timex Expedition Rugged Core!

If you've ever lusted after one of those tough looking military watches from premium watch company, there is hope from a more affordable watch  source - Timex.

Timex Expedition Core Resin Watch

This Timex Expedition Rugged Core Analog watch is built tough and looks great.

The watch has a 43mm diameter case, a 20mm resin strap, and indiglo backlighting. It also has one of the toughest looking case designs ever. Best of all, this Timex still sells for less than $70!  

If you'd like to peruse current Timex Expedition watches, check out this Timex selection on Amazon.

Amazingly, as of July 2025, this tough-looking Timex watch is still available for a very low price. You can find the Timex Expedition Rugged Core here on Amazon for less than $70.

Steampunk Clock Thrift Store Find!

I spotted this Steampunk Clock in a local thrift store this afternoon. I carried it around in the store with me for awhile, but decided to put it back on the shelf. It looked kind of cool! But, I wasn't sure where I would put it and I wasn't sure if it even worked.

A Clock with a Circular Sawblade for a Dial

Nowadays, it's harder and harder to find cool pieces in thrift stores. I should have bought this clock. It's an interesting piece that's for sure!

The last of my secret stash -- the Relic Sawyer Chronograph

I stockpiled a few new watches before starting a new job last year. I called this collection my secret stash. Here is the last one from my secret stash. It's a Relic Sawyer Chronograph.

 A Relic Sawyer Chronograph Watch

If you'd like to read of full review of this great watch, check Reviewing My Relic Sawyer Chronograph on this blog.

A Bulova makes the scene

Sometimes a nice watch can make you feel like you have executive potential. At least, my new Bulova did! I recently had to speak in front of a large crowd of co-workers and managers and those Bulova tuning forks were a real confidence boost.

Bulova Dress Watch

Best of all, this prestigious Bulova can be bought for a steal! My wife bought it for me for Christmas for $99 at Sears. But, I've recently seen them for as low as $67 on the Internet (in 2012).

Today, as of this update in August 2025, Bulova dress watches cost a little more, but they still look great an instill a sense of luxury, style, and confidence. A watch like this Bulova Men's 3-Hand Quartz Calendar Date watch are an excellent choice.

Bulova Men's 3-Hand Date Calendar Quartz Watch

Bulova watches like this one (Model 96B015) still have the tuning fork and add the beauty of a sunray dial. At 38mm in diameter, it's the perfect size to fit under the cuff of a dress shirt. In 2025, you can find this Bulova for less than $200 here on Amazon!