Casio and Café Kitsuné Give the Retro AQ-230 a Matcha-Inspired Makeover
Casio’s newest collaboration with Café Kitsuné has quickly become one of the most talked-about retro watch releases of the season. The limited-edition Casio x Café Kitsuné AQ-230ECK-3A brings a fresh matcha-green look to the classic AQ-230, blending vintage digital style with subtle French lifestyle branding.
The watch first arrived in Japan earlier this month and sold out rapidly through Casio’s online store. After also appearing in the United States, the model is now rolling out across Europe with a price of €99.90. It is listed in several European markets, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal, although strong demand has already pushed the watch to “sold out online” status in many regions. A restock may follow, so interested buyers will likely want to keep an eye on availability. The model has not yet appeared in the UK.
The Casio x Café Kitsuné AQ-230ECK-3A is based on the brand’s compact and much-loved AQ-230 series. It features a 38.8 x 29.8 x 8.1mm resin-and-chrome case paired with a stainless steel bracelet, giving it a lightweight feel and a clean vintage profile. At only 47 grams, it is designed to be easy to wear throughout the day, while the bracelet fits wrists from 150 to 205mm.
The standout detail is the pale green dial, inspired by matcha. This soft color gives the watch a calm, café-ready personality while still preserving the retro charm of the original AQ-230. A fox silhouette sits at 12 o’clock, adding a signature Café Kitsuné touch, while the brand name appears toward the lower section of the dial. Additional co-branded details can be found on the case back and clasp.
Like the standard AQ-230, this special edition combines analog hands with a small digital display. The result is a classic 1980s-style ana-digi design that remains practical today. The digital screen stretches along the lower part of the dial and can show the time, date, day, and other functions.
Despite its fashionable appearance, the AQ-230ECK-3A still offers everyday Casio practicality. Features include dual time, a 1/100-second stopwatch, a daily alarm, and an automatic calendar. Battery life is rated at around three years using an SR920W cell.
Casio has also created special packaging for the release. The presentation box features a dappled green pattern that matches the watch’s matcha theme, making it feel more collectible than a standard AQ-230 model.
This is not the first time Casio and Café Kitsuné have worked together. Previous collaborations included a cream-dial A168WE with an orange LCD in 2023 and an analog-digital G-Shock model with beige and orange styling in late 2025. However, the new AQ-230ECK-3A may be the most understated and wearable of the series so far.
With its compact case, matcha-green dial, fox branding, stainless steel bracelet, and accessible €99.90 price, the Casio x Café Kitsuné AQ-230ECK-3A is an appealing choice for fans of vintage watches, lifestyle collaborations, and affordable Casio collectibles. Given how quickly it has sold out in several markets, this limited-edition model is likely to remain in high demand.
