Men's Vintage A178WA-1A Silver Stainless-Steel Quartz Watch with Grey Dial

Fantastic watch. My dad has had the same watch for 20 years and it’s still going strong on the original battery. He rarely uses the light feature to conserve the battery, but otherwise wears it daily. He wanted a new backup watch and couldn’t find a different model that had all the nice features this one has - date, day of the week, month, year, time of course, alarms, etc. all with a large easy-to-read display. So when I discovered the same model was still being sold we got it. As you can see in my photo, the old watch (on the right) with 20 years of daily wear still looks very good. The new watch is on the left. My dad is very happy with it!

Casio Men's A178WA-1A Illuminator Stainless with 3234 module. Obituary, three years later. First off, let me say I'm about to buy two more of these. That's how satisfied I am with the cost/value/performance of this watch. After 3-years of constant wear, it still looks like almost new. I only remove it to shower. But, just shy of 3-years, while sleeping, one of the band-mounting holes broke and the wrist band cannot be reinstalled. So, it's done, kaput. I paid $15.61 and wore it for 1,048 days. That comes to 1.5¢ per day. ------------------------------------- As noted by someone else, the case is not stainless steel, although the band appears to be. Here's hoping the chromed plastic case doesn't get scratched too easily, only time will tell. The back of the case is some type of metal, perhaps stainless steel. As delivered, there is a scratch on the back. Maybe that's why I paid half as much here as this watch goes for elsewhere. If that's the case, I am happy to live with a little scratch. :-) I like this type of watch band, the same as my retired Casio which served me without issue for three years. Length adjustment is easily accomplished with a locking lever. No need for removing segments as I've seen in some previous watches I've owned. And it's perfectly comfortable on my wrist. It doesn't pinch/grab my hairy arm. The included user's manual has such tiny print (standard) that my old eyes required a magnifying lens to read it. Fortunately, the manual is available in PDF on their web site and is much easier on the eyes. Most of the settings are so intuitive and familiar I found no need to use the manual. Exceptions were setting hourly chime [SIG] and the daily alarm. The stop-watch is great! Precision to 0.01 second, with a total elapsed time up to 23:59:59. Another reviewer stated the A178 showed a total elapsed time of 9:59:59, that is incorrect. I wish it had a countdown timer. Countdown WITH repeat would have been even sweeter. In fact, those two features were criteria I had in mind when I decided to buy this watch. I knew it didn't have those features when I ordered. But, it seems the only current models available with them are sport watches and I didn't want an Ironman or other such ... they're just a bit gawdy for my taste. The LCD display characters are larger than on most non-sport watches. This appeals to me. The 6-digit time display (common nowadays) is a feature I paid big bucks for 40 years ago, when it was a hard to find feature. The dual time feature is useless to me. I may wish I was a jet setter, but such is not the case. Besides, on the rare occasions when I have the luxury of travel I've always, somehow, managed to add or subtract the time in my head (am I a genius?). Or even go to the horribly tedious (sarcasm) effort of temporarily re-setting my time to match my location for longer visits. I'd happily trade the dual time feature for an actual countdown/repeat timer. To each their own. Claimed accuracy is 30 seconds per month, which would be terrible if true. But, my experience with other digital watches over the last 40 years is that they're significantly more accurate than their claims. I just set the watch to NIST on 8/17/2016. Only time will tell. [EDIT on 9/27/16] 41 days after setting the watch accurately by the NIST time, it is slow by six seconds. That equals less than five seconds per month ... much better than the claimed 30 seconds. And, I've reached my tolerance for inaccuracy, time to reset the watch. Once a month looks like a good time frame for this.[/EDIT] I am retiring a Casio A159WGEA-1 which I bought June 23, 2013 on Amazon. That watch's battery is indicating signs of weakness (dimming display upon setting time) after only three years. This, in spite of the watch's Amazon ad claiming a seven year battery. And I never used any alarm functions nor any illumination. Also, on the retired watch, the (A) button became almost non-functional within months, making it difficult to set the time. [EDIT 3/28/2017] So far, so good ... it still looks and functions perfectly.[/EDIT] A tag which came attached to this, A178WA-1A, makes a claim of "10 year battery" ... I'm highly doubtful about that claim. But in all honesty, if it lasts 3-4 years I'll be satisfied. It will take time to evaluate accuracy and durability. Even though it lacks a few featured I'd ideally like to have, for this price it's a GREAT deal. P.S. Today is October 8, 2022. So, it's a few years later. I still love this model, but good grief, talk about price increases. Nearly DOUBLE what I paid 3-years ago.

I have quite a few watches, at a wide variety of price points. My weekend lawn mowing and gardening watch is a digital Casio that has a plastic case and a resin band. It is my cheapest, and also most comfortable, watch. Heading into the school year, I decided I needed a chronometer. I studied them, starting at a price of about $100 dollars and up to $250. I realized I would lose the ability to sync the second hand to the school bell since the second has is part of the chronograph function, and that the chronographs' dials would only give me estimates. My trusty Casio, with which I time turning steaks on the grill, would act as a stopwatch much better than the chronographs. The plastic and resin workhorse would look a little too casual though, or maybe I was looking for an opportunity to buy yet another watch. I ordered this watch. The face is significantly larger, and easier to read at a glance, than my old Casio. The procedure to set the time is simpler and more intuitive than on my old Casio and, to my surprise, it isn't difficult to "hack" it. I have it synced to GMT right now. Adjusting the band is easy with the aid of a small screwdriver or similar tool, though the instructions that came with the watch did not address how to do so. I have a 7 1/2 inch wrist, and the band could be adjusted out about another inch. For less than $20 dollars I have a watch that will do more than a $200 chronograph. It won't replace my analog watches, but this is a heck of deal for a decent looking and practical watch. I wore similar watches in the 80's, when these were "cool", and keep expecting to hear the theme from Star Wars when I look at it. That alone was worth the price.

> "10 Year Battery Life" -- it says so on the face of the watch. I believe it. In 2018, when I purchased the watch, when I set the time and date the first time, the default year was 2008, meaning that it was manufactured 10 years earlier. No doubt, that's the reason for the bargain pricing --- they gotta sell them before the batteries die. (Note that I paid $25 {on sale} for one of these 30 years ago --- that's the equivalent of $150 or more today). But, the battery may still have 5 or so years left since the alarm and other high-battery-drain functions have never been used. > Fortunately, the battery is easy to change if necessary --- I changed the battery 3 times over the 30 life of my previous Casio. (I "retired" my old Casio because the LCD display began to get fluky). > Looks great -- I expect it to last at least 30 years, like my last Casio. Well, maybe 20 years since the LCD of my "new" Casio has already been operating for 10 years. > The stainless steel watch band is simple, but executed with elegant precision. The lightly brushed finish is beautifully done. The band is very comfortable. I've had more expensive stainless steel bands with expandable links (internal springs) to make them elastic, which sometimes was a problem when I was working (the watch would slip up or down my arms. Properly adjusted, the Casio watchband is comfortable and stays in place. The Casio band does LACK a "folding link" or "folding buckle" (or whatever you'd call it) which simplifies installing the watch on your wrist, and slightly lessens the possibility of the watch falling off your wrist if it becomes unhooked -- but the Casio snaps closed so tightly that it should never come loose accidentally. The only down side to the Casio stainless steel band is that you need fingernails (or a substitute of some sort, such as the corner of a credit card) to unhook the "buckle" to take the watch off your wrist. > As I said that the band is comfortable. When I travel (and don't have my illuminated alarm clock on my nightstand), I usually simply wear my Casio to bed. The Casio is so comfortable that it is completely unnoticeable. > Beware that the instructions don't tell you how to adjust the watchband. You need a small tool (perhaps a penknife or a small flat screwdriver to lift a lever plate on the movable "buckle" part, then slide the "buckle" to the position you need and snap the lever plate down. There is apparently no provision for shortening the watchband (i.e., removing links) --- so someone with a small wrist would be advised to purchase a women's or child's version. OTHER REVIEWER'S COMPLAINTS: > Many of the other reviewer's complaints are about other Casio models. There are other models with black plastic cases. There are other models with uncomfortable plastic watchbands. Some reviewers may be reviewing other models, and/or Amzn frequently jumbles together reviews of different models, and sometimes even of unrelated products. > Plastic case? Nope -- it's solid steel. My old 30-year old Casio (worn daily for most of those 30 years) still looks like new (no scratches or corrosion to the case or bezel). > Plastic lens? Yes, all watch lenses are "plastic" -- even though there are a half dozen silly tradenames implying that various brands and models of lens are something else. Bottom line -- my previous 30-year-old worn-every-day, (same model) Casio, even worn all day while working with power tools many of those days, does not have a single blemish. I suppose it would scratch if you gouge hard it with a screwdriver, or scrape it hard against concrete, but under normal usage it is invincible. > Too light weight? Is that REALLY a problem? Maybe for insecure guys who want to pretend they're wearing solid gold ghetto Rolexes. The Casio is solidly built, but light weight. That's GOOD design. > Some reviewers claim to have problems with the "adjust" button. While you can "click" the OTHER buttons, you have to press and HOLD the "adjust" button of this model Casio about 1 second to get into the adjust mode (to change the time, setup alarms, etc). Note that in some similar models of Casios, the display-adjust-button can activated by a simple "click" -- but the button is protected by a raised flange to prevent accidental "clicks". For this model Casio, there is no protective flange, and instead you have to press and briefly hold the display-adjust-button . > Comes loose and falls off your wrist? There is a two step process installing the watch on your wrist. First you hook it, THEN you snap it closed. Yeh, if you skip the first step, it can come loose and fall off. But this ain't rocket science guys --- HOOK and SNAP, that's all. Easier than a brassiere. > Cheap? Well, it is an incredible bargain. But "cheap" it is not. It ain't a Patek Phillippe. It isn't elegant --- but isn't intended to be. It is what it is. And what it is, is pretty handsome. UPDATE--Okay, it's now 16 years (since manufacture) and the battery is still going, and Amzn has doubled the price, probably meaning that the inventory has declined significantly (or maybe the distributor bit the bullet and installed new batteries). But, it's still a good buy.

I have a silver Casio A178WA that's nearly 20 years old, it's a bit scratched up but still looks sharp when cleaned and polished. Over the past 4 months the original battery has finally become depleted. Yes, you read that right, 20 years on the original battery! I replaced the battery and it's still going strong. After doing so I realized I love this watch so much I wanted another and had no idea Casio was still producing it. A quick Internet search of the model number and there it was on Amazon, in all its shiny silver glory, only slightly more expensive than what I paid 20 years ago. Yes, the case is a chromed resin but who cares? If you don't abuse it beyond comprehension it will last you years and years. It's very classy looking and goes well with formal and casual attire alike. The stainless band is extremely easy to adjust and the entire size profile of the watch isn't big, thick and gaudy like so many of the G-Shock's. I have a pretty large Casio watch collection and this one is my favorite, primarily for its classy looks, size and accuracy. I figure when my two A178WA's give up the ghost I'll be dead and gone from this earth. Maybe I'll have them buried with me ;)

If you're looking at A178, you must've looked at A168. Both are cool, funky watches. What might have looked as a total geek or poor-man's watch in the 80s is now hipster cool (for better or worse). Kudos to Casio to continuing to produce these 80s styles, still in 2012! Don't ever stop! There's also the gold version which I personally favor (it's funkier IMO) but the silver one is half the cost. Amazon price is around $12-$14, which has got to be a bargain!! You may have also considered A168. You can't go wrong with either but here's a comparison: - A178 is a tad bigger overall so it feels more substantial. A168 sometimes feels a bit small for men, A178 feels like the perfect in-between size for both men and women. - Band is identical - A178's display and numbers are bigger - The look of A178, while retro, would match formal wear (suits) better. A168's face screams retro-80s more and with all the colorful labels (ElectroLuminescence, Illuminator), it might almost look comical with formal wear. - Has dual time, A168 does not. This is excellent if you travel a lot. - A178 has corner lit, greenish-yellow bulb light which lights up for 2 seconds on butten press; A168 has whole-screen bright blue backlight and only stays lit while you have the button pressed. The corner light is plenty bright though A168's blue backlight looks cooler IMO. - A178's stopwatch is better as it let's you count up to 10hrs (9:59:59) before flipping over to zero. A168 is fairly limited b/c it's stopwatch can count only up to 59:59 (1hr). - A168 has 3 side buttons, A178 has 4, one on each corner. This gives a more balanced look. At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with this watch. At this price, it's a no-brainer. And I have both A168 and A178 BTW. I switch them out depending on mood. If you have the funds, just get both! :) Reminder: the watch is "WR" (Water Resist) - meaning you CAN get it wet but I wouldn't go swimming with it. [Update 8/11/2013] I've recently put a nylon watch strap ("Nato" strap) on it and it looks great! Of all the retro-styled Casio watches I have, I think the silver A178 is probably the easiest to pair up with a NATO strap in terms of looks. The square face and square LCD readout gives it really nice balance. FYI - 18mm strap and spring bars. Note: there's so little space under the spring bars, you'll have to place the strap first, then put the spring bars in place and it's a tight fit. So unfortunately, you don't have the easy swapability of the straps b/c of the little clearance.

Update: 8 years later, in October 2016, the watch is still going strong and still looks almost brand new! I'm jonesing for a new watch, though, so I'm ordering the same one...right...now! -- I'm the kind of guy who likes very basic stuff. I would rather have an inexpensive Casio on my wrist than a Rolex costing a few hundred more (is that how much they cost?...I wouldn't know). My feeling is that when the battery on your watch runs out, you shouldn't have to replace it. You should just replace the darn watch and treat yourself to a new one! For years I've made this sort of a ritual. When the battery runs out on my cheap Casio, I order a new one from Amazon. When the new one arrives, I gather friends and family around for a sort of retirement party. Here's what I do: I gently remove the old watch from my wrist, gingerly raise it above my shoulder, toward the glow of the sun, and then violently smash it down to the ground and then stomp on it and grind it to a pulp. I must say, it feels great. Then I take out my shiny new Casio and fasten it around my wrist with a flourish. I once had a boss who was bragging about his Rolex, and I said, "Oh, yeah? Can you do THIS with YOUR watch?!" And I whipped off my watch and stomped it to death. I then offered to do the same to his Rolex. Luckily, he had a great sense of humor. Now, here's the bottom line on this cool model in the Illuminator family: The numbers are nice and big, as are the day of the week and the month and date. Some nice features: easy to program the time, date, etc., as well as to set up the stopwatch or the alarm. Nothing fancy to confuse the user. The "Illuminator" function is sweeeet. You just have to press the upper right button once and the watch stays lit for almost 3 seconds--long enough to read the time in a dark movie theater without having to hold the button down. Now that's class!

I'm using Ma's account. Saw a return listed at $14. There was not a single scratch, dent, or hair on this watch. It's absolutely in brand new condition! Thank you to whoever packed and inspected this. I've heard and seen horribly nasty used items for sale on here. This A178w is amazing! It's got a nice weight to it compared to the A700 (pictured, the watch the A178w will be replacing). The bracelet on mine at least is ultra stiff. The links are pressed/rolled SUPER SUPER tight. I'm actually impressed with the build quality. I'd say on par with a A168w or even better. I got a Thailand made version (preferred). I didn't need to read anything. If you can operate an iphone then this watch is mega intutive, the buttons to change stuff around are where you'd think they'd be. Got everything arranged and set up to my liking in less than 2 minutes. Photos of the watch and it's elongated numerals makes it look ultra wonky - in real life, they're not THAT stretched out. It works reall well for the display size. Nice and easy and clear. It does have 88:88:88 shadow play, but it's not as bad as a Timex T80 or Armitron Rubik (both of which I have and hate). Yeah don't hesitite. Even at full price this watch is fantastic! Let's see if I can get years of use out of it! :)