Casio has introduced two very diverse but intriguing watches to its expanding portfolio, demonstrating that it is still well capable of jumping from a highly fashionable look to one of practicality. The new offerings range from the vibrant MTP-E740 models with see-through dials to the G-Shock GD-350S-1 with its digital display based entirely on just one noteworthy feature: vibration alarms.
A “choose you own adventure ” for watch lovers with two distinctly contrasting personalities. One is a design to be noticed, a cute, nostalgic-looking “floating” dial showing a part of the watch underneath.
The other design remains much closer to the established G-Shock trend but introduces a subtle method of providing alarms and timer reminders without sound. The more visually unconventional is the Casio MTP-E740 range. As with the Citizen range, at first appearances it looks like a bright loud everyday analogue watch, but what is more interesting is the see-through dial.
Rather than hiding the day and date wheels entirely behind the dial, Casio made them part of the design. That minor modification gives the watch a multi-layered look rarely found at this price point. The function of the Day/Date is compromised through the dial, creating a hybrid between a classical dress watch and a skeletonized chronograph.
The design has also been compared to Seiko’s unique Time Sonar chronographs from the 1970s, where the company experimented with transparent dials to show certain features of the movement below. Casio has released their MTP-E740 series in five options, which include brown, dark blue, bright blue, green and yellow and orange.
Bright and vibrant coloured dials provide each model with its distinct character and this collection seems to be Really more lively than the traditional and settled day date watches offered by the company.
The transparent-dial idea is what that makes this selection one of most attractive and imaginative one. Both type of watches have stainless-steel case and bracelet plus three-hand analog time and day-date display, which supports 2 languages (English, Spanish). The case size is about 39.8mm by width and 8.7mm thick providing a relatively slim profile for daily use. The other specifications for the watch is mineral glass, 50-metre water resistance, accuracy of around20seconds/per month and an about 3-year battery life.
The MTP-E740 line offers another interesting insight into contemporary watch design. Not everyone desires a smartwatch, nor does every traditional watch purchaser require a serious luxury timepiece. There is the potential for more affordable timepieces to exist with a unique design identity, and Casio seems to be exploring this concept with a normally concealed element of the watch being transformed into the visual focal point.
Whereas, at the other end of the scale is the latest G-Shock GD-350S-1. On the contrary the MTP-E740 is all about being visible, the GD-350S-1 has to still remain dependable in those occasions when you may not wish to be heard by your timepiece at all. The key feature of the GD-350S-1 is the built in vibration alarm, which means the watch can tell you about the time in the form of vibrations instead of relying totally on sound.
