In today’s installment of The Time Bum’s Casio Royale modification saga, I will compare the stock Casio AE1200 bracelet with an aftermarket unit from SKXMod.com.
I’ll start by reviewing the factory piece and managing your expectations. I’ve got to tell you straight up, I am not crazy about it because it is cheap and jangly. This should not be a surprise. The resin-strapped Casio AE1200WH-1CV lists for $29.95 on Casio’s site. The AE1200WH-1A is the same watch with a metal bracelet, and it is $42.95. So, we are talking about a $13 bracelet. For that price, it should fit the watch, hold it securely on your wrist, and not burst into flame. The Casio bracelet clears this admittedly low bar.
Aesthetically, I have few complaints. The factory bracelet matches the AE1200’s case contours, and its angled links taper from 24mm at its widest point (with an 18mm end link), to 18mm at the clasp. Silver is the only color available. While the Casio’s resin case is matte, the bracelet is brushed. This is less than ideal, but I can understand the challenge of making two dissimilar materials appear the same. Matte steel and matte plastic will never look quite right together, so I suspect the folks at Casio thought it best to embrace the differences. As it is, the brushing makes it clear that your bracelet is not molded plastic, and it looks pretty good.
As you might have suspected, Casio had to cut some corners, for instance, all links are folded. Still, there are some clever elements here. The clasp has a stamped logo, push-button release, and micro-adjustments. The bracelet attaches to the head with conventional 14mm spring bars, but the individual links are connected by pressure-fit tabs. As you can see in the photo, each has a hole through which you can see the raised lock of its tab. Select a tool with a narrow tip (Casio does not supply one), insert it through the hole and under the lip of the tab, and push it out. Every link is so equipped, giving you a broad range of adjustments.
Now, “clever” does not always mean “good.” When you select your sizing implement, make sure it is very strong, or that it at least is a tool you don’t particularly like, because you will need to exert far more force than you would think necessary, and there is an excellent chance you will bend the tip. For reassembly, I pushed the tabs most of the way by hand and then tapped them flush with a link pin mallet. The process was not as bad as fiddling with a pin-and-collar system, but it wasn’t fun either.
Is the factory bracelet worth $13? Sure, but you can do so much better. This brings me to the SKXMod bracelet, which sells for $60. That is considerably more than Casio’s but hardly expensive, and it is worth every penny.
SKXMod mimicked the Casio’s style, so you get the same angled links, taper, and finish. The clasp is also similar in design but is unsigned and feels more substantial. Actually, “more substantial” is the key to the whole unit. You get proper solid links and single-ended screws — huzzah! The bracelet is heavier, but this is not a bad thing. It feels like it was made for a real watch and not a toy. It is an excellent balance for the brand’s steel case. I suppose you could fit it onto Casio’s plastic housing, but for the life of me, I can’t imagine why you would bother.
You can the SKXMod bracelet in silver, yellow gold, and rose gold, as well as the black one I chose. The silver and black have the added advantage of surface hardening treatment to 980hv. The downside of the SKXMod bracelet is its finish. That brushing looks great, but like the Casio, it doesn’t match the matte finish on the case. Given that the brand is manufacturing both the bracelet and the case, and using the same material for both, there is no reason not to make them match. I can understand not brushing the case as the AE1200’s shape would make that challenging, but why not do a matte finish on the bracelet?
Put together, I must admit that it works well, though I would have preferred a more homogenous look, the match is still better than Casio’s. For $60, I’m rather pleased. It was a worthy addition to my Darth Royale project, which you can read about in Part 7.
For more information or to order one yourself, head over to SKXMod.com.
