Casio Film Watches
Two or three years ago I started collecting watches. Nothing too fancy: no poncy timepieces or Rolexes for me, just some Casio Film Watches from Japan.
The attraction? Subtle retro style and some useful functionality at a decent price. I kept a few phone numbers in one’s databank in case I lost my phone, for example.
Strangely, ‘retro’ on this occasion meant the early 1980s. Could the decade of my birth really be deemed retro already?
Two or three years ago I also stopped collecting watches.
I didn’t become obsessive and break the bank (at £10 to £15 a go from ebay they were a snip). No, I just realised that three watches for one person was (probably) enough.
Little did I know that, like the 80s itself, these watches are as good as disposable. To replace the batteries that have since died will cost at least £15.
In motor insurance terms, that makes these Film Watches a write-off.
On the plus side, a very good salesman at The Watch Lab valued each watch at £125 and almost convinced me that £15 for a battery was excellent value. £59.95 brand new more like.
He actually pouted at me when I said I’d think about it.
COMMENT ON THIS
23 Comments so far
Leave a comment
I have a silver dual-time Casio Pela Film Watch (FS-01) and recently the battery has just died. I really would like to keep wearing it. Do you know the exact type/size/brand of replacement battery I need to buy to get it working again? Please let me know. Thanks.
By John on 10.14.06 11:27 am
I own a watch repair company, who can replace such batteries at a fraction of the price. Please visit our website to see the prices we charge.
By Graham on 11.06.06 2:43 pm
Just lost my casio film watch I had for about 5 years.
It is by far, the freshest and handsomest watch on the planet. It was a b-day present from my girl and it would kill her she found out I lost it. I’ve searched the web endlessly to no avail. Yes I do feel a bit guilty but if you have any info as to where I could purchase new or used I would be forever greatful. The watch you hav pictuers is the same model (FS-02ED-2AMUR)
THANKS AND GREETINGS FROM M NYC
By castro on 03.06.07 1:34 am
My only suggestion is to set up some eBay alerts for the model and just wait. Good luck with that.
By Mancubist on 03.06.07 1:51 am
I have a Casio Pela Film Watch Model 2374 and the rubber end holding the band to the watch face is split. Do you know where I can get this fixed in the US? I love my watch.
By Cherie on 03.20.07 1:23 am
strange, i’ve owned a couple of film watches (FS-04) and battery replacement has been a fiver each time, probably because they are more common models?!
By bushra on 07.17.07 9:44 pm
(aside – another einaudi fan!)
By bushra on 07.17.07 9:44 pm
I personally love retro anything including retro fashion. Thanks for the post.
By Retro Fashion on 10.12.07 8:21 pm
Your FS-00 can be brought back to life with a 1616 battery instead of the pricy
1612. It is slightly thicker so you should “bow” the backplate slightly. dont forget to short the contact points to reset the watch.1616’s are cheap. I have 2 FS-00’s running with them. I bought the 1616’s on Ebay for less than $4 w/ shipping. good luck- Stew
By stew swanson on 10.18.07 3:05 am
I receive a casio FS-01 as a gift, and really like it. With over use of it the band is torn. Do you know I can order more of the bands?????
By Jo on 12.23.07 3:17 am
There is currently(3-15-08) an FS-01 on EBay for 2 pounds. Do a search for casio film watch on EBay and it below the 3 auction watches. Looks like a cheap way to get your band.
Stew
By stew swanson on 03.15.08 5:46 pm
I have an FS00 I bought in Tokyo for $10 on the street, love it. Warning though: there are actually Chinese fakes of the FS01s (maybe other models) for sale. I wasted $30 each buying two from a place in New Jersey on the net. They’re thicker, missing a button, have no backlight (even though it says “Illuminator” on the faceplate). Just Chinese copies. So just be real careful. Love my original FS00 though. Got the battery replaced a year ago maybe? Wasn’t that much.
By steve p on 06.24.08 6:44 pm
i have an fs06 and love it. getting a bit worn now though so would love to replace with a new fs06. any ideas where i could get one? email me.
By Dan on 07.09.08 11:14 pm
I had a pela film watch years ago and it was my favouritest watch I’d ever had. After the glass cracked it eventually died and I’m DESPERATE for another one- one of the square ones. Does anyone know where I can get one now- new/2nd hand/whatever?
By Laura on 11.22.08 12:53 am
You can still find them on Ebay. Search
for Casio Film Watch. Just looked and today there are none but there usually are some.
Stew
By stew swanson on 11.22.08 7:06 pm
I have a FS-02 with the metal strap (like in the picture) and the rubber broke from both ends of the strap. I’ve seen rubber strap replacements around in the past but never the metal ones.
Now I can’t even find the rubber replacements, has anyone come across any sites selling them and willing to ship them to the UK?
By Rob on 12.11.08 11:09 am
anybody knows the year when the casio film watch was created and put it on stores?
By DANY lop on 12.11.08 11:31 pm
Hi I’ve a Casio Film Watch (FS-05) and I’ve lost the battery so I’ve no idea how to find the battery that will fit. I can only remember its Maxell SR somthing but forgot the voltage….Does anyone know?
By Catherine on 12.31.08 4:41 pm
Re: FS-05 battery. can’t find a reference, however I do know the FS-00 uses a 1612. you can measure the circle
the battery nests in and if it is 16 mm
then you can use a 1612. I use 1616’s in
my FS-00 as they are much cheaper but slightly thicker so you may have to bow the backplate slightly. – Stew
By stew swanson on 01.05.09 7:03 pm
I had a Casio Film watch 00 and I love it so much (the middle watch in your picture) but now it’s lost due to a sad accident. I couldn’t find one anywhere online. I did dig up an old silver one though and would love to replace the band part of it with black wristband instead of silver but don’t know how to determine the right size/shape for the black resin. Hmm anyway.
thanks for the post, you gave me hope
By karen on 04.29.09 2:08 pm
Fancy parting with any of those mate? If so drop me a mail I’d love to take them off your hands :)
By MattySwan on 02.08.10 3:59 pm
I have a FS-04, silver one with white face. I’ve had it for years, I love it, people have commented on it so many times and I’ve never seen another.
Anyways while being a prat and dancing around in my kitchen I managed to pop the rubber that holds the main pin. The pin that holds the face and strap together! SO GUTTED!
Where can I find another!? It is
wearable but I don’t want to risk losing it altogether.
By OJQ on 04.06.10 7:28 pm
how much for the casio film watch FS 02-EF?
By GG on 06.02.10 1:30 pm
No Trackback/Pingbacks yet
Leave a comment
HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>