Casio Turns Its Classic A168 Digital Watch Into a Tiny Retro Ring Watch
Casio has given one of its most recognizable digital watches a playful new form. The company has introduced the CRW-002 ring watch, a finger-sized version of the classic Casio A168 that brings retro digital-watch styling to a miniature wearable design.
The new Casio CRW-002 models are set to launch in Japan in November 2026, with a limited online sales lottery opening on November 2. Two versions are available: the silver CRW-002D-1AJR, priced at ¥19,800, and the gold-colored CRW-002G-9AJR, priced at ¥22,000. Both prices include Japanese consumption tax.
Rather than being a modern smart ring with health tracking or fitness sensors, the CRW-002 is exactly what it looks like: a fully functional digital watch small enough to wear on a finger. It recreates the A168’s rectangular face, classic display layout, dial markings, and bracelet-inspired design in an impressively compact body.
The release follows Casio’s earlier CRW-001 ring watch, which arrived in December 2024. With the CRW-002, Casio is leaning even harder into nostalgia by shrinking one of its most familiar digital watch designs into a collectible accessory that feels both retro and unusual.
Despite its tiny size, the Casio CRW-002 includes several practical watch functions. The case measures just 25.2 × 18.2 × 6.2 mm and weighs around 15 g, but it still offers dual time, a 1/100-second stopwatch with up to 60 minutes of measuring capacity, an automatic calendar, and a white LED backlight.
Casio has also included a Time Flash feature, which briefly activates a light at the top of every hour or at a preset time. The watch is rated for accuracy of ±30 seconds per month and is expected to run for around two years on its battery. Casio says the battery can be replaced, making the ring watch more practical for long-term use than many novelty gadgets.
The CRW-002 uses stainless steel construction and offers water resistance suitable for everyday use. The standard ring size is Japanese size 22, with an internal diameter of 20 mm. Casio includes spacers that reduce the fit to 19 mm or 18 mm, corresponding to Japanese ring sizes 19 and 16.
To capture the look of the original A168 in such a small format, Casio uses metal injection molding, allowing the case and bracelet-style details to be reproduced with precision. The gold version also receives an ion-plated finish for a more eye-catching appearance.
Casio’s Japanese online store opened lottery applications for the CRW-002 on November 2 at 10:00 a.m. JST. Entries close on November 6 at noon, and results are scheduled to be announced on the evening of November 12 through applicants’ Casio accounts. Winners will also receive an email notification.
A Casio ID is required to enter, and customers can apply once for each model. The lottery is limited to residents of Japan, and Casio will not ship internationally or to forwarding services. The process is not first-come, first-served, so applying early does not improve the chances of being selected.
Casio has confirmed that the CRW-002 ring watches will be released in Japan in November 2026, though the company has not yet announced a specific date for wider retail availability. There is also no confirmation at this stage on whether the silver and gold models will be released in markets such as the US or UK.
For collectors, retro watch fans, and anyone who appreciates unusual accessories, the Casio CRW-002 has obvious appeal. It takes the charm of a classic digital Casio watch and compresses it into a tiny working timepiece for the finger. It is not a smartwatch, not a fitness tracker, and not trying to be either. Instead, it is a fun, nostalgic, and highly distinctive take on wearable design.
