I still remember the feeling of power when, in the roaring 80s, I showed off my Casio with a built-in calculator in class. It was the era in which teachers still banned calculators during class tests, but we knew that the future was there, in that small LCD display that could do addition and multiplication. And what about games? Hours spent pressing those tiny buttons to beat the record at Space Invaders microscopic version. Then I complain about my daughter when she wants to open Roblox, but that's another story.
In the ring of innovation, Casio feared no rivals. And in the… SMART ring? The Japanese giant has just announced a digital ring that promises to revolutionize the concept of a finger watch. With a retro LCD display and smart functions such as a stopwatch and light alarm, this gadget took me back (and simultaneously forward) in time.
Casio, a celebration in miniature
To celebrate its 50 years in the world of digital watches, Casio created something truly special. The model CRW-001-1JR, available in Japan since December at a price of around 128 euros, is not just a ring: it is a concentration of technology that challenges the limits of miniaturization. Despite its small size (less than 2,5 centimeters), this thing houses a six-segment LCD display capable of showing hours, minutes and seconds. But the surprises do not end there: three functional buttons allow access to additional functions, such as displaying the date or a different time zone.
I waited before writing this article, because they looked like images made with AI. Too beautiful (Warning: this is a nerd's perspective) to be true. And instead this little prodigy is also equipped with a lighting system and an alarm function that, instead of ringing, makes the display flash. A touch of class for those who appreciate discretion.
The challenge of tiny tiny technology
The creation of this smart ring required innovative engineering solutions. To faithfully recreate the design and details of larger digital watches, Casio used a metal injection molding process that starts with metal powder. The ring is powered by a single battery that provides about two years of battery life and is easily replaceable. It is also waterproof, making it suitable for everyday use. The only limitation? The fixed size: 10.5, although the company includes some spacers to adapt it to thinner fingers. If you want to buy me one, I'll manage, but buy it for me anyway.
The future on your finger
This launch follows a collection of non-functional Casio watch rings launched last year, inspired by the most iconic models. The difference? This time the ring actually works, opening up new possibilities in the field of wearable devices. With this product, Casio proves that innovation can take on surprisingly small dimensions. And who knows, maybe for the 75th anniversary we will see a ring with a built-in calculator: by then, instead of buttons we will have the accounts with thought?
