Casio's Vintage LA680WEL-1 Watch Brings Leather Luxury to Digital Timepieces

Casio has expanded its Vintage watch lineup with the LA680WEL-1, a digital timepiece that combines classic Casio functionality with a more sophisticated aesthetic through its genuine leather strap and chrome-plated bezel. The watch is now available in the US through Casio's online store for $54.95, marking the American debut of this Japanese launch.

The LA680WEL-1 represents a departure from Casio's typical resin-band digital watches, incorporating a black genuine leather strap with an embossed pattern that gives the watch a more refined appearance. The silver-colored chrome-plated resin bezel provides a metallic finish while maintaining the lightweight construction Casio is known for—the entire watch weighs just 15 grams (approximately 0.5 ounces).

Measuring 33.5 x 28.6 x 8.6 mm (about 1.3 x 1.1 x 0.3 inches), the LA680WEL-1 maintains a compact profile that works well for both casual and dressier occasions. This size puts it in line with many traditional dress watches while still offering the digital functionality Casio enthusiasts expect.

On the technical side, the watch features a streamlined digital display that shows time in either 12 or 24-hour format, along with the date and day of the week. The automatic calendar function ensures accuracy, with Casio claiming the watch remains precise to within 30 seconds per month—a respectable figure for a digital quartz movement.

The LA680WEL-1 includes several practical features that have become standard in Casio's digital lineup: a daily alarm function, hourly time signals, and a 1/100th second stopwatch for timing activities with precision. For nighttime visibility, an amber LED backlight illuminates the display, making it easy to read in low-light conditions.

Water resistance rounds out the feature set, providing protection for everyday wear including hand washing and light rain, though it's not designed for swimming or diving. This level of water resistance is typical for dress watches with leather bands, as prolonged water exposure can damage the leather strap.

The LA680WEL-1 launched in Japan alongside a gray and silver variant known as the LA680WEL-8A2, though only the black version has made its way to the US market so far. Casio describes the model as "sophisticated," and the combination of leather and chrome does give it a more premium appearance than many of the brand's sport-oriented digital watches.

At $54.95, the LA680WEL-1 sits in an interesting price position—it's more expensive than basic Casio digital watches but significantly more affordable than many fashion watches with leather straps. This pricing strategy could appeal to consumers looking for a versatile everyday watch that transitions well between casual and business casual settings without breaking the bank.

Whether Casio plans to release the LA680WEL-1 or its gray counterpart in European markets like Germany remains unclear. The company has not announced any international expansion plans for this particular model, though the US release suggests broader availability may be possible in the future.

The LA680WEL-1 represents Casio's continued effort to diversify its Vintage collection beyond the classic calculator watches and G-Shock-inspired designs. By incorporating materials like genuine leather and chrome plating, Casio is targeting consumers who want digital functionality with a more traditional watch aesthetic.

For existing Casio fans, the LA680WEL-1 offers familiar digital features in a new form factor. For those who typically avoid digital watches due to their sporty appearance, this model provides an accessible entry point with its dressier styling. The combination of practical features, reasonable pricing, and versatile design makes the LA680WEL-1 a noteworthy addition to Casio's expanding Vintage lineup.