Casio Watches Earn 2026 Good Design Awards, Including the Classic AQ-240 and G-Shock Nano Ring Watch
Casio has added more recognition to its long-running design legacy, with two of its standout watches receiving 2026 Good Design Awards. The annual awards, first established in Chicago in 1950, celebrate products that combine creativity, usability, innovation, and visual appeal. The 2026 winners were announced in mid-October, and Casio’s latest honorees show how the brand continues to blend retro charm with clever modern design.
One of the winning models is the Casio Classic AQ-240, a vintage-inspired watch that first arrived in October 2025. The AQ-240 quickly gained attention for its clean, nostalgic look, combining traditional analog hands with a slim digital display. This hybrid layout gives users the best of both worlds: classic timekeeping style with practical digital information such as the date and day of the week.
At launch, the Casio AQ-240 was offered in three versions featuring gold and silver-colored resin cases and straps, paired with different dial colors. Since then, Casio has expanded the lineup with six additional color options. Some of the newest versions include the AQ-240EG-3A, AQ-240E-1A, and AQ-240E-2A2, giving buyers more ways to match the watch with their personal style.
The AQ-240’s appeal comes from its simplicity. It does not try to be overly complicated or packed with unnecessary features. Instead, it focuses on lightweight comfort, everyday practicality, and a retro design that fits well with current fashion trends. In the United States, models in the AQ-240 series start at around $70, making it an accessible choice for fans of affordable vintage-style watches.
The second Casio wearable to receive a 2026 Good Design Award is the G-Shock Nano DWN-5600 Ring Watch. This tiny wearable takes inspiration from the legendary square-shaped G-Shock digital watch design and shrinks it down into a ring-sized accessory.
Officially introduced in late 2025, the G-Shock Nano DWN-5600 measures just 23.4 x 20.0 x 7.5 mm, making it a miniature tribute to one of Casio’s most recognizable watch designs. Despite its compact size, it still includes useful digital functions. Users can check the hour, minutes, and seconds on the small display, while a calendar function adds extra practicality.
The G-Shock Nano Ring Watch also includes a stopwatch and an LED backlight, giving it more functionality than its novelty-like appearance might suggest. Its award recognition highlights Casio’s ability to turn a familiar design into something playful, compact, and surprisingly functional.
Casio also received 2026 Good Design Awards for two music-related products. The Casio Dimension Shifter DN-SE10, a guitar strap accessory with a built-in controller, was recognized for its creative approach to performance control. The Casio Sampler SXC-1 also earned an award. This 16-pad sampler includes 208 sound sources, making it a compact tool for music creation and live performance.
Together, these awards show the range of Casio’s design strength across watches, wearables, and music technology. From the affordable retro styling of the Classic AQ-240 to the ultra-compact G-Shock Nano DWN-5600 Ring Watch, Casio continues to prove that thoughtful design can be both practical and fun.
