Casio Vintage AQ-230EM watches with chrome-plated bezels now available to buy in the US
Casio’s hybrid analog-digital classic just got a stainless-steel facelift. The AQ-230EM watches, spotted earlier through lifestyle leaks and product pages, are now available to buy directly in the US for $79.95. And the good news is that the mesh bracelet version has finally made it to retail.
This drop includes two versions: the navy-dial AQ230EM-2A and the silver-dial AQ230EM-7A. Both have the familiar square layout, with analog hands up top and a digital readout tucked into the bottom third. This setup that’s stayed almost untouched since the 1990s, but the mesh strap gives it a more polished edge.
The new bracelet is light, flexible, and sits flat against the wrist. It’s the kind of update that makes the watch more wearable for some buyers without changing what it is. You still get a stopwatch (1/100 sec), dual time, daily alarm, hourly chime, and a basic auto-calendar. The quartz module promises ±30 seconds per month and a 3-year battery life (SR920W). Water resistance is minimal but should be just enough for everyday wear.
Size-wise, the case is pretty compact at 38.8 x 29.8 x 8.1 mm and weighs just over 50 grams. That makes it an easy fit even for smaller wrists - or those just getting into vintage-inspired watches. For $80, the AQ-230EM models aren't anything overly flashy. But with the mesh band and balanced styling, they are just retro enough to stand out and subtle enough to wear daily. They're up now on Casio’s US web store, alongside the newly listed AE1500WHC duo.
