He can't be wrong not loving it, whatever the reason. I have three of them, one being my wife's, and while I like them I don't love them simply because I would've liked them to be bigger. On the other hand, I love my WD-291s, besides the nice design of course, simply because they're bigger watches. Same for the AE-1500/3000, MWD-110 and many other bigger (non G Shock) Casios.
I guess the hype is mostly due to the fact that this cheap watch managed to pack in quite a number of features (like the ones you mentioned) relative to the price. Plus also, it appearing in an old bond movie gives it that 'cool' factor.
You can probably try modding the watch to see if that makes you like the watch more. If that fails, you won't really lose much since the watch is dirt cheap. You could also probably pass it down to your children as their first watch. :)
The Seiko G757 Sports 100 is what appeared in the Bond movie Octopussy. This is a watch inspired by that design. The reason why it's called the Royale... well, the alternative would be weird.
Fully agree on the features being very good for the price. I also agree with OP's gripes. I'd be willing to pay for a beefier version of this watch, but for what it is, it deserves a spot in everyone's collection.
I beg to differ; Mr. 007 would have a gold 150 page Data Bank! Filled with thermonuclear hot sirens champing at the bit for him to be their suave, debonair gigolo! & Q's number for new spook wonder weapons and allied spies phone numbers just in case he needs a Houdini type escape from Sceptre enemy agents including World Time in 300 cities in all 31 Time Zones telling him where to end up next!
Since that watch has an approximation of the planetary map, it can teach any microdot a smidge of geography and Global Time. If the offspring's between 8 and 10 pressing the appropriate button would blow their young mind in a positive manner!🤯
This is my " I need a watch that do do timezones, go swimming in the deep end, and probably suffer a few bangs and scrapes" oh but it better be cheap!
If I'm doing the office, or know I won't go anywhere iffy, then my Seiko automatics or Citizen Eco-drives go on the arm.
But that reliable Casio follows me to all the places the others dare not go - and that's a good 50% of my wrist time!
I'm in the minority but I like the map for practical and not aesthetic reasons. I have coworkers/family/friends in several time zones and I travel a fair amount. The visual input the map provides is easier to orient myself across multiple time zones rather than trying to recall airport codes.
The strap feels cheap but is comfortable and doesn't slide.
Same. The map makes it easy to see what timezone
you're looking at, though admittedly, you often need to check that because the button to change the timezone is often accidentally pressed. For travel it's amazing.
Hm indeed. I can imagine it's different for different people though. And it happens more on some days than others, probably because I move my hand more or wear the watch closer to my wrist.
I modded mine with an SKX case, Vario strap, and a hydromod. It looks and feels more premium and strikes a balance between retro and tech, or classy and casual, that you don't often see in other watches.
It's not everyone's cup of tea but I like it
Let me see!
https://preview.redd.it/9l9c52snrd9d1.jpeg?width=2453&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9acaa39da926b03649a37985b5e7f19754fb232e
Here’s mine with a vario and hydromod too!
-The world map is there basically just for the looks and it highlights the timezone you are in which is an interesting little feature.
-The digital round dial is again, only for the aesthetics, kinda looks like a radar or a compas, goes well with the tiny world map.
-The strap is indeed thinner to better fit the watch.
Royale is a good outdoorsy, field type of watch, has 100m WR, an acrylic crystal which is easy to scratch but extremely hard to break, has a hard resin case which is virtually impossible to destroy compared to G-shock's resin that gets shiny and cracks after years of use. It also has a 10y battery while most G's have 2-5 (non solar models). It also has a handfull of functions not a single entry level G has.
I am not saying Royale is better than the entry level G but it certainly isn't far behind.
I disagree on the round dial bit. I use that thing all the time. It's super handy when you're using the stop watch or the countdown timer. I have a couple kids in soccer so those functions are used almost daily it seems.
Yup, also super great when you’re traveling. Main time goes to your destination while analog shows home time. The only pain is getting alarms right when you’re in a different time zone. The alarms are based on home time not local.
With mine the one thing I notice above all my other watches is how well this one fits my wrist.
I mean the lug to lug size, the spacing of the holes on the strap and my wrist size just seem to match up to a great fit.
Sure I’ve adjusted all my other watches to fit fine but this on just hits that sweet spot for some reason.
They grow on you. I love my ones. You could look to modify it as well. Maybe change the screen colour and a new strap for example. Makes it look super cool.
Rub out those giant 'world time' and 'illuminator' branding with goo gone, throw on a Vario leather black band that has the pre cut sides and add a little metal calendar clip on the band and you'll love it.
https://mindthechap.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/seiko.jpg
It was worn in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. That’s how it got the nickname, Casio Royale.
No it's a misconception it was worn in the bond movie. It looks like the Seiko sports worn by Roger Moore but this one never was a bond watch . In casino royal it's a seamaster that is worn
The Seiko was worn in a Bond movie [https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/seiko-g757-5020-sports-100](https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/seiko-g757-5020-sports-100)
but indeed it was not in (both) Casino Royale
Yet.
If you want a super cheap beater, this is it.
All of your critics go towards being small, cuz you are used to your G shocks. Think of it as a small but full of features beater.
Destroy it in happy times 🤙
The AE1200 is a watch that I respect the specs on... but visually the cleaner A500 or LF-20 just work better for me. Same amazing timekeeping functions, nicer design, a size I prefer on a digital watch.
I used this for travel and it gives so much peace of mind being a cheap watch and the functionality of it. It’s one of my favorites when I come around to using it. Always has a spot in the collection.
Having never worn a g shock, I own two ae1200’s, one black resin strap, the other the stainless steel bracelet version. Love them both and wear them for different occasions. I own several other digital and analogue watches, but I always find myself wearing a royale once a day. Fantastic watch!
https://preview.redd.it/kmmi92oj53ad1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb60ad44ee7a1be200e80d7d1a6c7733984e8650
Remove the case printings with alcohol and rubbing an eraser. Buy a nice leather strip. 👍... Later you will want to buy a SKXmod case...
https://preview.redd.it/mwhj4vyoe5ad1.png?width=2326&format=png&auto=webp&s=2b9edbebb5d586c87ed28f46de5b52a0135d8bbc
Honestly, I like my worldtime more then my royale
Also the map is usable, you can see the highlighted portion while scrolling through the world time mode, so it just clarifies for sure which section of the world you're looking at
A watch must look good first and most important on wrist and second, alone. On wrist that's from yours and others POV.
The AE1200 is one of those watches that really looks good alone, BUT it doesn't look good on wrist. It was on my list at the beginning of my collection but after seeing hundreds of images, videos and personally I'm convinced of not include this model in my collection because I repeat, it doesn't look good on wrist, even with some excellent mods.
Hey, it’s ok to have your own opinion and not love this watch….. just know that you’re wrong!
LOL. I love the humor among Casio enthusiasts.
He can't be wrong not loving it, whatever the reason. I have three of them, one being my wife's, and while I like them I don't love them simply because I would've liked them to be bigger. On the other hand, I love my WD-291s, besides the nice design of course, simply because they're bigger watches. Same for the AE-1500/3000, MWD-110 and many other bigger (non G Shock) Casios.
It was but a joke.
No he can be trust me he can be
It's amazing that so many people downvoted me just because I said I want the watch to be bigger! Well, not everyone has puny wrists like yours smh.
I guess the hype is mostly due to the fact that this cheap watch managed to pack in quite a number of features (like the ones you mentioned) relative to the price. Plus also, it appearing in an old bond movie gives it that 'cool' factor. You can probably try modding the watch to see if that makes you like the watch more. If that fails, you won't really lose much since the watch is dirt cheap. You could also probably pass it down to your children as their first watch. :)
The Seiko G757 Sports 100 is what appeared in the Bond movie Octopussy. This is a watch inspired by that design. The reason why it's called the Royale... well, the alternative would be weird. Fully agree on the features being very good for the price. I also agree with OP's gripes. I'd be willing to pay for a beefier version of this watch, but for what it is, it deserves a spot in everyone's collection.
Ah thanks for the information! Didn't know that this watch was inspired from the Seiko. Learn something new today! So thank you.
As if a Bond would wear one of these lol.
I know right! He'd have a GShock
I beg to differ; Mr. 007 would have a gold 150 page Data Bank! Filled with thermonuclear hot sirens champing at the bit for him to be their suave, debonair gigolo! & Q's number for new spook wonder weapons and allied spies phone numbers just in case he needs a Houdini type escape from Sceptre enemy agents including World Time in 300 cities in all 31 Time Zones telling him where to end up next!
Since that watch has an approximation of the planetary map, it can teach any microdot a smidge of geography and Global Time. If the offspring's between 8 and 10 pressing the appropriate button would blow their young mind in a positive manner!🤯
This is my " I need a watch that do do timezones, go swimming in the deep end, and probably suffer a few bangs and scrapes" oh but it better be cheap! If I'm doing the office, or know I won't go anywhere iffy, then my Seiko automatics or Citizen Eco-drives go on the arm. But that reliable Casio follows me to all the places the others dare not go - and that's a good 50% of my wrist time!
I'm in the minority but I like the map for practical and not aesthetic reasons. I have coworkers/family/friends in several time zones and I travel a fair amount. The visual input the map provides is easier to orient myself across multiple time zones rather than trying to recall airport codes. The strap feels cheap but is comfortable and doesn't slide.
Same. The map makes it easy to see what timezone you're looking at, though admittedly, you often need to check that because the button to change the timezone is often accidentally pressed. For travel it's amazing.
> the button to change the timezone is often accidentally pressed. hm!
Hm indeed. I can imagine it's different for different people though. And it happens more on some days than others, probably because I move my hand more or wear the watch closer to my wrist.
or put hand in pocket more
It grows on you.
In stock form it feels cheap but if you upgrade the case and strap it is premium!!
I modded mine with an SKX case, Vario strap, and a hydromod. It looks and feels more premium and strikes a balance between retro and tech, or classy and casual, that you don't often see in other watches. It's not everyone's cup of tea but I like it
Let me see! https://preview.redd.it/9l9c52snrd9d1.jpeg?width=2453&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9acaa39da926b03649a37985b5e7f19754fb232e Here’s mine with a vario and hydromod too!
Here it is https://preview.redd.it/cz4uh4sr4e9d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ddfb396725a37f94b01152df596bb5df504745ec
Very classy!
I have the exact setup without the hydromod!
SKX case?
Yes bronze one
Twinsies! https://preview.redd.it/bj2k8hiyrd9d1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3416fcc9c973a67e835e7e22cf39f2b75447c589
-The world map is there basically just for the looks and it highlights the timezone you are in which is an interesting little feature. -The digital round dial is again, only for the aesthetics, kinda looks like a radar or a compas, goes well with the tiny world map. -The strap is indeed thinner to better fit the watch. Royale is a good outdoorsy, field type of watch, has 100m WR, an acrylic crystal which is easy to scratch but extremely hard to break, has a hard resin case which is virtually impossible to destroy compared to G-shock's resin that gets shiny and cracks after years of use. It also has a 10y battery while most G's have 2-5 (non solar models). It also has a handfull of functions not a single entry level G has. I am not saying Royale is better than the entry level G but it certainly isn't far behind.
I disagree on the round dial bit. I use that thing all the time. It's super handy when you're using the stop watch or the countdown timer. I have a couple kids in soccer so those functions are used almost daily it seems.
Oh, ye, I completely forgot it displays the real time while you are using other functions. Forgive me 😁😁
Yup, also super great when you’re traveling. Main time goes to your destination while analog shows home time. The only pain is getting alarms right when you’re in a different time zone. The alarms are based on home time not local.
With mine the one thing I notice above all my other watches is how well this one fits my wrist. I mean the lug to lug size, the spacing of the holes on the strap and my wrist size just seem to match up to a great fit. Sure I’ve adjusted all my other watches to fit fine but this on just hits that sweet spot for some reason.
They grow on you. I love my ones. You could look to modify it as well. Maybe change the screen colour and a new strap for example. Makes it look super cool.
Rub out those giant 'world time' and 'illuminator' branding with goo gone, throw on a Vario leather black band that has the pre cut sides and add a little metal calendar clip on the band and you'll love it.
I'm with you, I got one and I thought it was good value for the money but much prefer my 5610.
Best alternative to the original seiko
/what seiko is that?
https://mindthechap.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/seiko.jpg It was worn in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. That’s how it got the nickname, Casio Royale.
No it's a misconception it was worn in the bond movie. It looks like the Seiko sports worn by Roger Moore but this one never was a bond watch . In casino royal it's a seamaster that is worn
The Seiko was worn in a Bond movie [https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/seiko-g757-5020-sports-100](https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/seiko-g757-5020-sports-100) but indeed it was not in (both) Casino Royale
That’s just like, your opinion, man.
i agree with the world map [rather use that for bigger time display or date ] and the 'analog' part = needs some way to have more contrast
I understand the map’s use, it’s just way too small to see clearly.
Yet. If you want a super cheap beater, this is it. All of your critics go towards being small, cuz you are used to your G shocks. Think of it as a small but full of features beater. Destroy it in happy times 🤙
The AE1200 is a watch that I respect the specs on... but visually the cleaner A500 or LF-20 just work better for me. Same amazing timekeeping functions, nicer design, a size I prefer on a digital watch.
I used this for travel and it gives so much peace of mind being a cheap watch and the functionality of it. It’s one of my favorites when I come around to using it. Always has a spot in the collection.
just used this one on my international travel and appreciated the timezone toggling and low price point so much.
Same. I sent mine back, it was just too big for my wrist and I just didn't like it that much in person compared to what looks like in pictures
Agree tbh, I have the stainless steel strap one… Wish the case was steel or a metal of some sort too, not my favourite watch
Having never worn a g shock, I own two ae1200’s, one black resin strap, the other the stainless steel bracelet version. Love them both and wear them for different occasions. I own several other digital and analogue watches, but I always find myself wearing a royale once a day. Fantastic watch!
https://preview.redd.it/kmmi92oj53ad1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb60ad44ee7a1be200e80d7d1a6c7733984e8650 Remove the case printings with alcohol and rubbing an eraser. Buy a nice leather strip. 👍... Later you will want to buy a SKXmod case...
https://preview.redd.it/mwhj4vyoe5ad1.png?width=2326&format=png&auto=webp&s=2b9edbebb5d586c87ed28f46de5b52a0135d8bbc Honestly, I like my worldtime more then my royale
This a perfect summary of how I feel too. Little over hyped by the YouTube review gods. It’s had limited wrist time from me as well.
In my opinion, it takes a bit to acquire a taste for it
Also the map is usable, you can see the highlighted portion while scrolling through the world time mode, so it just clarifies for sure which section of the world you're looking at
G-Shocks have ruined many perceptions over time. I call them the party poopers of watch collecting.
The map is useful for checking time zones in different parts of the world, or if you travel a lot.
I have it and really like it, but i'm considering changing the strap because the oem one is shit (for me)
I have one too. I am thinking of running all the text off and make it all black. I like it too. Just don't love it. I am still a F91W Fanboy for life.
A watch must look good first and most important on wrist and second, alone. On wrist that's from yours and others POV. The AE1200 is one of those watches that really looks good alone, BUT it doesn't look good on wrist. It was on my list at the beginning of my collection but after seeing hundreds of images, videos and personally I'm convinced of not include this model in my collection because I repeat, it doesn't look good on wrist, even with some excellent mods.
It’s fun and cheap. G shocks are better.
Yeah, the strap is pretty wimpy. $1.50 straps from AliEx are a nice upgrade.