Have you ever wished there was a smart ring that’s a little less “smart” and a lot more “watch”? You probably haven’t, but Casio is offering an answer for those who have. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its iconic digital watch, the company is releasing a tiny, ring-sized version that fits around your finger.
The $120 device might seem like a smart ring at first, but it certainly doesn’t look the part, and it doesn’t do the things most smart rings do.
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It features the 1970s classic square face, a stainless steel band, an LCD screen that shows the time and date, and three physical (and functional) buttons. It will have an alarm feature, but instead of sounding an actual alarm, the device’s backlight will flash. The watch is waterproof and has a battery that Casio says should last two years and is easily replaceable when it dies.
What it doesn’t have is fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, or, well, any other “smart” feature. It’s literally a scaled-down digital watch.
It’s hard to imagine this device appealing to people looking for the functionality of a smart ring, but it will certainly appeal to fans of retro technology (and fans of pretending you’re a giant who wears a wristwatch around their finger).
Also: The best smartwatches
Unfortunately, despite the appearance of a flexible, linked band, the watch is available in one size — 10.5. Casio is offering spacers to make the fit a little more snug for smaller fingers (sizes 9 and 6), but there’s no alternative for larger fingers.
Where to buy Casio’s CRW-001 Ring Watch
Casio’s press release didn’t give a specific time but said the watch would be for sale in the US at casio.com on Dec. 26. If you’re interested in one, you’ll need to act fast. Casio has already released the watch in Mexico and Japan, and it sold out quickly in both markets.
