(13, August, 2024)
This article is about;
・F-91W, Casio’s legend watch, modified and upgraded with stainless steel bracelet.
・Information of how to make it.
・Pros and Cons
・You can check out product image photos
1.my modified F-91W is perfect for everyday usage
F-91W is a great beater watch, which has many legendary episodes (For example, 20 years in underground resulted in 7 minutes delay and Scuba dived wearing F-91W etc..) This image is normal F-91W.
Image from: Amazon.com
I want to wear F-91W as an everyday watch, but it looks too casual when I am wearing shirt and jacket, with black resin body and silicone rubber band. It should be modified in order to use it to acquire more versatility.
・3 watch categories
I think watch is divided roughly into 3 categories below;
(1)Formal/Dress watch
Watches in this category can be worn with shirt & jacket, or even with Tuxedo. Usually simple white dial with black leather belt suites for formal scenes like wedding, party or funeral.
Famous model example: Calatrava (Patek Philippe)
(2)Everyday watch
Everyday watch can be worn literally everyday. Usable for both weekdays and weekends. Watches in this category will come with stainless steel bracelet. Luxury Sports watches will be put into this category as well.
Famous model example: Oyster Perpetual Date (Rolex), Royal Oak (Audemars Piguet)
(3)Beater(or outdoor) watch
Original F-91W is put into this category. Casio G-SHOCKs, of course, in this category. Divers watch as well. Watches here should be tough and durable.
Famous model example: G-SHOCK DW5600 (Casio), Fifty Fathoms (Blancpain)
2.What you need to make it
In order to make F-91W, beater watch, into everyday watch, I wanted to change strap from silicone rubber to stainless steel. So it is swapped from Casio’s other model A-158W. I think the metal bracelet of A-158W is the finest of all Casio Standard Collection. Luckily, it suits my silver colored F-91W perfectly. It even looks like an original strap.
It is just simple modification, but changes impression of F-91W totally like a different model. I think this modified F-91W can be used as an everyday watch.
What you need to make this? Information follows.
・F-91W (silver version)
F-91W is one of the most popular models among Casio Standard Collection, so many colors are commercially available. Choose silver painted version.
Image from: Amazon.com
・Bracelet of A158W
Need to purchase another watch for the bracelet swapping purpose. However, it costs just around US$20 to buy A-158W. As stated above, the stainless steel H-link bracelet from A-158W looks the coolest of all Casio Standard Collection.
Image from: Amazon.com
・Spring Bar (18mm)
I prepared F-91W (silver) and A-158W’s bracelet to combine together. However, they didn’t fit well at first due to spring bar unsuitable each other. So I applied 3rd party spring bar of 18mm width.
Following image and link are just an example. Usability in this purpose is not ensured.
Image from: Amazon.com
These 3 items above are all you need to make it, costing around just US$50. Do you think it’s expensive money to get one valuable wrist watch?
3.Pros and Cons
In this chapter, Pros and Cons of this modified F-91W are listed. I love it overall and think almost perfect everyday watch, but there are cons in some aspects.
・Pros
Legend watch without doubt
F-91W is legend watch. No one doubts it. It has overwhelming episodes (20 years underground working with delay 7 mins/Used by terrorists to make hand-made bomb/Endured deep dive in the sea etc.)
Metal bracelet is suitable for everyday usage
Stainless steel silver bracelet is suitable almost for any scenes. Bracelet of A-158W looks smart.
Size and Thickness is perfect for small wrists
Size of F-91W is very comfortable, almost perfect fitness on small size wrist (H38.2×W35.2×D8.5mm).
Simple module & operation
Module & function of F-91W is simple: stopwatch/ararm/LED light/day-date. All operation by 3 push buttons only. Time adjustment is pretty easy.
・Cons
No superiority in spec (No sapphire, less WR)
F-91W has no superiority in spec: Plastic body, no shock resistance structure like G-SHOCK and water resistance is 3 bar only. No sapphire crystal glass, no 100m water resistance, no stainless steel body and no solar adjustment.
Body material: Combination of Plastic body and Stainless steel bracelet is controversial
It fits each other, but material difference is seen. It is good enough, but it lacks perfection or aesthetic.
LED lighting is dim (but readable)
Lume of F-91W is not backlight. It flashes at the left edge of the display only while button is pushed. And only the left-half display is bright. Many youtubers say this is one of cons for F-91W. However, I checked it out in movie theater the other day. In complete darkness, I could read the time and date. Despite the imperfection of brightness, it still works for the usage of reading time.
4.Conclusion
This article summarized information of F-91W modified with stainless steel bracelet. There are pros and cons, but cons don’t bother me. Pros beat cons. I think 3 bar water resistance is far enough for daily life. I don’t care plastic body and imperfect lume. Practically no problem with those cons.
This F-91W gives me satisfaction in my daily life, wearing a cheap watch but it has legendary history, practical function and originality added by me. This is cheap piece, but my precious one.
Thanks for reading through:)
Fin.