Casio’s latest watch isn’t what you’d expect from the brand. Rather than developing another G-Shock that has die-hards gushing over the quartz timepiece, Casio’s decided to create something a little more, well, quirky. Behold the CPP-002 – a watch with a story that’s just about as captivating as its unusual design. You see, the coil-cord bracelet aside, the CPP-002 is Casio’s first watch designed to be heat and humidity-resistant. Why you ask? Well, the watch is marketed as the brand’s first timepiece designed to be worn in saunas.

Saunas aren’t exactly high-tech battlegrounds. They’re places where you sweat out your existential dread or perhaps reflect on why you’re sitting in a small, wooden room cooking yourself like a rotisserie chicken. And yet, here comes Casio, leaning into this niche with all the earnestness of an inventor convinced the world needs this. Spoiler alert: with rising global temperatures, maybe we do.

Designer: Casio

At first glance, the CPP-002 looks like any other Casio—compact, lightweight, and built to handle everyday life without a fuss. But peel back the layers (or, in this case, step into 180°F of sauna bliss), and you’ll realize this watch is sweating the details in ways you didn’t even know mattered. Heat-resistant battery? Check. Expandable band for those swelling wrists? Oh, absolutely. A built-in 12-minute timer for your sauna session? Now we’re really getting specific. It’s a product so wonderfully niche that it feels like Casio is in on the joke—and delivering it with a straight face.

For a watch weighing just 24.5 grams, the CPP-002 punches above its weight when it comes to durability. Its 35.4mm resin case won’t flinch at heat or humidity, and it doesn’t shy away from water either, with a 50-meter resistance rating. You could almost picture it scoffing at the very idea of being fragile. And yet, it doesn’t scream “rugged” in the same way as Casio’s G-SHOCK lineup. It’s more like the cool sibling who doesn’t feel the need to boast.

Then there’s the timer function—a simple yet oddly charming addition that speaks directly to sauna-goers. With a few pushes of its bullhead-style buttons, you’ve got a perfectly timed 12-minute countdown for your steam-soaked zen. It’s quirky, sure, but undeniably practical, especially for those who lose track of time while wondering if they’re sweating out toxins or just yesterday’s bad decisions.

Visually, the CPP-002 has its moments. The collaboration with Sauna Ikitai adds a playful edge, with dials and stretchable bands in color combos that flirt with boldness without crossing into tacky. Whether it’s the crisp all-black variant or the cheeky versions that have a splash of vibrant orange or sky blue there’s a quiet confidence in the design—a willingness to have fun without overdoing it.

Casio’s decision to keep this watch outside the G-SHOCK lineup feels deliberate, almost like they wanted to prove they could make a tough watch without leaning on that branding. And they succeeded. The CPP-002 is tough in a way that feels subtle, like a knowing nod instead of a chest-thumping declaration. Its heat-resistant battery with a five-year lifespan is a prime example—practical, reliable, and completely on-brand for a watch that’s all about quiet competence.

Priced at around $53 during its crowdfunding phase on the Japanese site Makuake, the CPP-002 is almost disarmingly accessible. It’s the kind of watch that doesn’t demand to be taken seriously but earns your respect anyway. Sure, it’s a little funny that it exists, but it’s also hard to imagine a sauna enthusiast who wouldn’t appreciate it. And that’s where Casio shines—by finding a niche, embracing it wholeheartedly, and delivering a product that makes you smile even as it impresses you.

The post Move Over G-SHOCK, Casio’s New Sauna-friendly Watch Lets You Turn Up The Heat… Literally first appeared on Yanko Design.

Most of us, for all sane reasons, would prefer not to wear a watch to a sauna. Saunas have an unfriendly environment for watches that can experience failure due to expansion from heat and moisture. Casio, however, believes sauna goers would have a better track of the time to spend inside if they had a watch on the wrist; supposedly why sauna-going creators within Casio have developed heat and moisture-resistant watch that you can wear in a sauna.

This special watch – Casio CPP-002 – is intended for use in hot and humid environments, such as in a sauna. It features a body made from resin, said to have low moisture absorptivity, and comes paired with a coiled, expandable wristband that draws design reference from wristbands used with locker keys at gyms and saunas. The watch with the band weighs only 24.5 grams.

Designer: Casio

The idea of a heat and humidity-resistant watch from Casio is welcome news for many G-Shock takers – including firefighters – who would want this tech to trickle down to their favorite Casio watch lineup. We don’t have a word on whether that is happening anytime soon, but what we know is that Casio is going to launch the watch through a crowdfunding campaign on the Makuake platform in Japan.

Maybe a successful campaign allows the experimental tech to reach through to a heat-resistant and moisture-resistant G-Shock. For now, this 35.4 mm sauna watch wears an analog dial and comes with a 12-minute counter to time sauna sessions. The timer will let you know “sauna, cold bath, and break times at a glance,” the campaign page (expected to go live on December 2) reads.

The Casio CPP-002 arrives in three color variants: Orange, Black and Blue. Blue watch, model no CPP-002-BU, has been designed in collaboration with Sauna Ikitai: A sauna search website. The water resistance rating is 5 ATM (50 meters) and features two pusher buttons to switch modes and reset. It is likely to cost in the ¥10,000 – ¥11,000 ($60 to $70) range, but sadly will only ship to addresses in Japan. There is no mention of global availability at the time of writing: more clarity is expected once the crowdfunding campaign gets underway.

The post Casio develops sauna watch with 12-minute timer, unveils three colors in Japan first appeared on Yanko Design.

Casio has partnered with UNO to create a one-of-a-kind timepiece that merges the nostalgia of both brands. This collaboration brings together the vintage A168 watch with the playful and colorful elements of the iconic card game UNO. The result is a watch that’s both a stylish accessory and a tribute to a beloved game that has entertained families and friends for decades.

Designer: Casio x UNO

Known for its reliable and affordable watches and the classic card game that has been a household staple since 1971, both brands emerged in the 1970s and have since built a loyal global following. This collaboration celebrates the enduring popularity of these two brands by integrating the playful spirit of the card game with the timeless design and functionality of the watch.

UNO collaboration model Vintage: A168WEUC-1A

Created by Merle Robbins in 1971, the card game has become one of the most popular worldwide. The game is simple yet engaging, where players match cards by color or number, aiming to be the first to play all their cards. The game’s excitement is amplified by special cards like the Wild Card, which allows players to change the current color, adding an element of strategy and unpredictability. Over the years, the game has evolved with various themed editions and special rules, but its core appeal remains unchanged: bringing people together through fun and friendly competition.

Watch face design with classic UNO motif

This watch collaboration captures attention with its incorporation of vibrant and iconic colors. The face is adorned with the distinctive hues of the Wild Card—red, blue, yellow, and green. These colors are strategically placed around the digital display, creating a visually engaging and nostalgic look. The case is finished in gunmetal gray ion plating, offering a sleek and modern aesthetic. The black ion-plated stainless steel band complements the case, adding a touch of sophistication to the playful design.

EL backlight

One of the most captivating elements is the electroluminescent (EL) backlight. It reveals the word “Wild” across the LCD display when activated. This feature enhances visibility in low-light conditions and brings an interactive element to the design, echoing the excitement of drawing a Wild Card during a game.

Whimsical touch in case back engraving

Turning the watch over, the attention to detail continues. The case back is engraved with the game logo and a playful arrangement of the 1, 6, and 8 cards—corresponding to the model number. This hidden touch adds an element of surprise and delight, much like discovering a special card in the deck.

Back engraving

The technical features are equally impressive. The case size measures 38.6 x 36.3 x 9.6 mm and weighs 49 grams. The case and bezel are made of resin with chrome plating, while the band is stainless steel with an adjustable clasp for a comfortable fit. The watch is water-resistant, making it suitable for everyday wear.

Band clasp engraved in UNO card pattern

It boasts an impressive battery life of approximately seven years, powered by a CR2016 battery. The watch face is protected by resin glass, ensuring durability, and the black ion-plated band is both stylish and resilient. It features a 1/100-second stopwatch with a measuring capacity of up to 59’59.99″ and various modes, including elapsed time, split time, and 1st- and 2nd-place times.

It is equipped with a daily alarm and hourly time signal to keep you punctual. The electroluminescent backlight illuminates the display in blue, enhancing visibility. An auto-calendar function ensures accurate date-keeping, accounting for leap years. The watch maintains an accuracy of ±30 seconds per month and supports both 12-hour and 24-hour formats, displaying hours, minutes, seconds, PM, date, and day.

Special packaging

This unique watch comes in co-branded packaging, highlighting the collaboration while embracing sustainability. The packaging features the four iconic card colors and is made from recycled materials, reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility. This collaborative watch is more than just a timepiece; it celebrates two iconic brands from the 1970s. It combines the nostalgia and fun of the card game with the reliable and stylish design of the watch, creating a unique and functional accessory that appeals to both watch enthusiasts and fans of the classic card game. Priced at $99.95, this special edition watch is available now online.

The post One-of-a-Kind Design Casio x UNO Watch: Classic Timekeeping Meets Iconic Card Game Fun first appeared on Yanko Design.