Although Casio was not the pioneering brand to introduce a calculator that could be worn on the wrist, it was the company that truly democratized the concept by making such multifunctional timepieces accessible to the masses. This combination of practicality and affordability transformed Casio’s calculator watches into enduring cultural symbols of 1980s technology—a decade marked by innovation, digital experimentation, and a fascination with futuristic gadgets. These watches captured the imagination of an era that was rapidly embracing personal electronics, transforming Casio from a simple watchmaker into a technological tastemaker. Their design—compact, efficient, and distinctly modern—appealed to both enthusiasts of emerging digital trends and those simply drawn to the novelty of having computational power literally at hand.
The watch’s fame soared even higher when it appeared on the wrist of one of cinema’s most recognizable characters: Marty McFly, the adventurous protagonist of the film *Back to the Future*, portrayed by Michael J. Fox. As 2025 approaches, marking four decades since the original film’s release, Casio is celebrating this milestone by resurrecting one of its most beloved calculator models, reimagined with stylistic references to the iconic movie. This anniversary edition not only honors the legacy of the classic Casio calculator watch but also intertwines it with the cultural mythology surrounding the DeLorean time machine, symbolizing a fusion of technical ingenuity and nostalgic storytelling.
In the celebrated film trilogy, Fox’s character sports the Casio CA-53W—a model distinguished by its lightweight plastic strap and matching resin case. The forthcoming commemorative version, the Casio CA-500WEBF-1A, draws inspiration from a later iteration that replaced plastic with metal, lending the piece a more refined, modernized aesthetic while preserving its signature functionality. Inside, the watch retains all the practical features that defined its predecessors: an eight-digit calculator for quick mathematical calculations, essential timekeeping features such as hours, minutes, and date displays, a reliable stopwatch, and conveniently programmable daily and hourly alarms. What sets this revival apart is its design homage to *Back to the Future*: the keypad’s typography and layout echo the visual language of the DeLorean’s time-travel control circuits, while the rear casing is engraved with the instantly recognizable image of the flux capacitor—the fictional device that made temporal journeys possible.
According to *Hypebeast*, the Casio CA-500WEBF-1A will open for preorders on October 21, 2025, a date that long-time fans will recognize as a meaningful reference within the *Back to the Future* timeline. The model is currently listed on Casio’s official website with a price tag of $120, underscoring the brand’s commitment to keeping nostalgia attainable for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Further enhancing the sense of retro authenticity, the watch will arrive in packaging designed to mimic the look and feel of a vintage VHS box—a clever nod to the home video era that helped cement the film’s legendary status. Of course, while the outer case evokes memories of the analog days of winding reels, there is, fittingly, nothing inside that requires actual rewinding—only the ticking forward of digital time.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/800797/casio-back-to-the-future-calculator-watch-flux-capacitor
