Casio's new fabric-strap F-91WF watches look set to cost significantly more than the classic models

The F-91W is the most popular Casio watch of all time, and for good reason. It's affordable and surprisingly rugged, and has outlasted countless fads and trends over the three decades since its introduction. There are a lot of variations of the iconic digital watch, but the newly announced F-91WF lineup is easily the most exciting update in years, swapping out the signature resin strap for a lightweight woven fabric band made from recycled fibers.

The new strap could nearly double the price

While Casio has yet to officially detail the pricing and availability for Western markets, the company has already started selling the F-91WF series in select Asian countries, and if the early rollout is any indication, buyers could be looking at paying close to double the price for that fabric strap.

In Thailand, the F-91WF is listed on Casio's official website for ฿1,600, which works out to roughly $48. Similarly, an authorized Casio retailer in Vietnam has the F-91WF series up for sale for 1,487,000 VND (~$56.72).

That's almost double the price of standard F-91W variants, which typically retail for around $20 to $30. For example, this classic black F-91W-1 with the blue accent currently retails for $22 on Amazon (and can be had for as little as $19 when on sale)

For the uninitiated, Casio's new F-91WF series comes in three colors: the understated black F-91WF-1A, the navy F-91WF-2A with its familiar blue accent ring, and the olive green F-91WF-3A with matching green accents. All three are paired with a recycled cloth band that's scratch- and stain-resistant and is lightweight enough for everyday wear and outdoor adventures alike.

We still don’t know when Casio plans to launch the fabric-strap F-91WF series in the US, UK, Europe and other markets. We’ll have to wait and see how the company will price the watches and how they’ll fare against the existing resin band models. But it’s safe to assume you’ll have to shell out more to get your hands on the new cloth band options.

The enduring appeal of the F-91W has always been its remarkable affordability as much as its iconic design. A more breathable and sustainable strap is certainly a welcome upgrade, but it remains to be seen whether it'll be enough to convince buyers to pay nearly twice the price for an otherwise familiar watch.