Casio Wave Ceptor is a line of radio-controlled watches by Casio that set themselves to the correct time by receiving time signals from various government time services around the world.
It seems immediately logical to argue that one of the most important qualities of a functional watch must be the precision of the watch.
But even the most accurate watches with quartz movement will eventually deviate more and more from the exact time. Then it’s time to set the watch.
All Casio’s quartz watches are quite precise, even without radio control. The accuracy is typically +/- 15 seconds / month and that’s far more accurate than most mechanical watches.
In this article I will show 6 of my personal favourites among the watches from the Wave Ceptor
The Story of Casio in Brief
Casio was established as Kashio Seisakujo in April 1946 by Tadao Kashio and Casio Computer Co., Ltd. was formed in June 1957.
That year, Casio released the Model 14-A, the world’s first all-electric compact calculator, which was based on relay technology.
Of course, everyone knows Casio in one way or another, typically from their wide range of calculators and wrist watches.
However, Casio has also developed digital cameras, cash registers, illuminators, video cameras, notebooks, mobile phones, printers, handheld televisions and musical instruments.
Casio’s Product Development is Extensive
1946: The company is founded by Tadao Kashio, an engineer specialized in manufacturing technology.
1949: Kashio and his younger brother experience calculators at the first business fair in Ginza, Tokyo.
1954: The first Japanese developed electromechanical calculator sees the light of day.
1957: Casio launches Model 14-A, the world’s first fully electric compact calculator.
1965: The 001 calculator is launched.
1972: Casio’s personal calculator, Casio “Mini” is launched.
1974: Casiotron, a watch with a fully automatic calendar is launched.
1980: Casio launches Casiotone, a keyboard instrument.
1983: The first G-Shock watch, the DW-5000C is launched.
1985: Casio launches the first professional synthesizer, CZ-101.
1991: F-91W digital clock with retro design, alarm and stopwatch is launched.
1995: Illuminator / Foxfire backlight is launched. The DW-5600E was announced as the first G-Shock watch with a full EL LCD panel.
1995: QV-10, the world’s first digital camera with TFT screen is launched.
2000: WQV-1, the world’s first digital camera wrist watch is launched.
2002: The EX-S1t, the first Exilim digital camera is launched.
2007: OCW-S1000J, named Oceanus “Manta”, is launched and is the world’s thinnest solar powered chronograph.
2011: Casio launches Casio Prizm (fx-CG10 / fx-CG20), a full-color graph pocket calculator.
Did You Know:
Kashio’s first major product was the yubiwa pipe, a finger ring that would hold a cigarette, allowing the wearer to smoke the cigarette down to its nub while also leaving the wearer’s hands free.
Japan was impoverished immediately following World War II, so cigarettes were valuable, and the invention was a success.
What is Wave Ceptor?
Wave Ceptor technology builds on the super-precise atomic clock accurate to one second in millions of years.
An atomic clock is connected to a transmitter that transmits a code to the Wave Ceptor watch
There are 6 of these transmitters in the world located in North America, Europe, China and Japan.
If you live within the range of these transmitters, you will be able to fully benefit from a Wave Ceptor watch.
| Location | Call Sign | Frequency | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, Colorado | WWVB | 60 kHz | 3,000 km |
| Anthorn, England | MSF | 60 kHz | 1,500 km |
| Mainflingen, Germany | DCF77 | 77.5 kHz | 1,500 km |
| Fukushima Station, Japan | JJY | 40 kHz | 1,000 km |
| Kyushu Station, Japan | JJY | 60 kHz | 1,000 km |
| Shangqiu, Henan Province | BPC | 68,5 kHz | 1,500 km |
How Does it Work?
Wave Ceptor watches synchronize daily with the signals running with quartz timekeeping accuracy between synchronizations.
Since a Casio quartz watch without Wave Ceptor normally has a precision of +/- 15 seconds / month, theoretically, a Wave Ceptor watch will always maintain the exact time with a maximum deviation of approx. +/- 500 ms = ½ second.
However, if synchronization skips a day due to poor connection, the deviation may increase.
If your watch is set to the correct time zone, the Daylight Saving Time (DST) will also be adjusted automatically.
Casio Wave Ceptor watches automatically pick up a signal from radio transmitters in locations all over the world, but it’s possible to synchronize manually also.
The watch is programmed to automatically attempt syncing six times in a day; at 12:00 Midnight (00:00h), 1:00AM (01:00h), 2:00AM (02:00h), 3:00AM (03:00h), 4:00AM (04:00h), and 5:00AM (05:00h).
Once it synchronizes with the atomic clock, it will not attempt synchronization again until 12:00 Midnight the next day.
NOTICE!
Not everyone can take full advantage of Wave Ceptor watches.
If you live outside the covered area of all 6 transmitters, a Wave Ceptor watch will not be able to set itself as intended.
In addition, you must be aware of which radio transmitters your watch can receive from.
Watches labeled Multi Band 6 receive radio signals from all 6 transmitters in the world, while models marked with Dual Region, Multi Region 1 and Multi Region 2 only receive signals from some of them.
Please note that there were predecessors with Multi Band 5, lacking the Chinese signal.
- Dual Region: The watch picks up signals from transmitters in the UK and Germany.
- Multi Region 1: The watch picks up signals from transmitters in the UK, Germany and USA.
- Multi Region 2: The watch picks up signals from transmitters in the UK, Germany, USA and Japan.
- Multi Band 5: Same as Multi Region 2.
- Multi Band 6: The watch picks up signals from transmitters in the UK, Germany, USA, Japan and China.
Note: Parts of Europe currently outside the dual and multi regions include Southern Spain, Portugal and Greece.
In a purely functional watch that primarily aims to function as a timepiece, there are in particular 3 properties I am looking for.
- Accuracy
- Battery Life
- Water Resistance
The list of Wave Ceptor watches
In addition, the models shown are all of the Multi Band 6 type.
1
WVAM640D-1A
- Multi Band 6
- Tough Solar Power
- Neo-brite Luminous Hands and Markers
- World Time / 29 Time Zones
- 5 Daily Alarms
- Stopwatch
- Timer
- Full Auto Calendar
- Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Water Resistance 100 m
2
WVA-M630D-7AJF
- Multi Band 6
- Tough Solar Power
- Neo-brite Luminous Hands and Markers
- World Time / 29 Time Zones
- 5 Daily Alarms
- Stopwatch
- Timer
- Full Auto Calendar
- Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Water Resistance 50 m
3
WVQ-M410-1AJF
- Multi Band 6
- Tough Solar Power
- Neo-brite Luminous Hands and Markers
- World Time / 29 Time Zones
- Alarm
- Stopwatch
- Timer
- Full Auto Calendar
- Black Molded Resin Band
- Water Resistance 100 m
4
WVA-M650B-1AJF
- Multi Band 6
- Tough Solar Power
- Neo-brite Luminous Hands and Markers
- World Time / 29 Time Zones
- 5 Daily Alarms
- Stopwatch
- Timer
- Full Auto Calendar
- Black Resin Band
- Water Resistance 100 m
5
LCW-M170TD-7AER
- Multi Band 6
- Tough Solar Power
- Neo-brite Luminous Hands and Markers
- Multi Alarm
- Stopwatch
- Timer
- Full Auto Calendar
- Titanium Bracelet
- Water Resistance 50 m
6
GST-W110D-2AJF
- Multi Band 6
- Tough Solar Power
- Neo-brite Luminous Hands and Markers
- 5 Daily Alarms
- Stopwatch
- Timer
- Full Auto Calendar
- Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Shock Resistant (G-Shock)
- Water Resistance 200 m
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whoa interesting. Now I understand abit about how Casio watches have their time adjusted automatically so accurately. My husband is from India (we live in California) and everyday he watches the time for India to call his family at the appropriate time. I think getting him one of these watches. The GST-W110D-2AER looks especially nice
Nice article, it’s good to read about Casio and their products for the first time as it improves over the years, really explains everything in detail, the article is very interesting and effective. Thank you and good luck for the upcoming articles. Of course its the quality of the list and not the quantity, that’s why I have always enjoy and learn more from your blogging,
Hello Claus! Your review on Casio Wave Ceptor watches is interesting. The company has really been around for quite a long time. Thanks for your detailed explanation of what Casion wave captor is all about. I love the number 3 Wave Ceptor Watch (WVQ-M410-1AJF) you reviewed. It looks unique and more feminine. Thanks a lot for giving me insight into the Casio company.
For a watch to have +/- 15 seconds is so marvelous. Never heard of Casio Wave Ceptor before not until i read your post. I must commend you for a wonderful review job you have done on Casio Wave Ceptor watch. Though Casio is a very popular brand, part of their products i have used in the past are their calculators, and keyboard. Amongst the models of the multi band 6 type of casio watches that you listed, i would prefer to own “WVAM640D-1A” due to its speculations. Thanks so much for this informative post, please could you include the prices we could get them in your subsequent posts.
The prices vary, but can be checked by clicking “Check Price”. Thanks for your comment.
The wave ceptor watch is a great idea. I am surprised something like this hasn’t come much earlier. Your history of the Casio company and all their product development is quite interesting. I remember when the calculators first came out and we started throwing away our slide rules and mechanical adding machines. What a great company! I checked the pricing on these new watches and they appear pretty reasonable. I see the G-Shock model is rated to 200 meters. That would be the one for me as I would like to take it for a dive.
Thanks a lot for your post.
Best regards,
Joe
Thanks for your comment!
I enjoyed reading your article on the Casio Wave Ceptor watch. I didn’t know very much about radio-controlled watches before reading your article. I have an old watch that is very plain with no fancy features.
I was so impressed by the idea that they can set themselves to the correct time by receiving time signals. This seems so futuristic!
I definitely will consider buying one of these watches in the future when my watch quits working. I particularly liked the look of theLCW-M170TD-7AER.
Thanks for the helpful information,
Eliza
You’re welcome, thanks, Eliza.
This is a really interesting article. I had no idea that there were watches that were Wave Ceptors, or how that technology worked. I appreciated that you provided information about where the transmitters are located, and that if you choose one of these watches, it’s important that you live in range of one of these transmitters in order for the synchronization functionality to work. I had no idea that Casio had been around for so long, or had been involved in so many different types of technology. I only really knew them from calculators! I really enjoyed the detailed information you provided, and I feel like I know a lot more about Casio than I did before. Of the six watches you included, did you list them in order of preference (with your favorite/highest recommended watch first), or is this more of a random order list? I’m trying to determine which watch is your personal favorite?
Hi Brooke, thanks for your comment.
I did not make the list with any particular order in mind as they are all radio-controlled, solar powered and water resistant to at least 50 m. Thus the difference is mostly about the design except for the model GST-W110D-2AER that is also part of the G–Shock line of watches manufactured by Casio.
As I look at my cracked face Bulava, which is slightly off from my computer, I am intrigued by your post. While the concept of “smart watches” is somewhat familiar to me, I was not aware of “Wave Ceptor” watches that maintain correct time via radio control. Definitely an interested read, especially the fact that Casio was founded in 1946, just after WWII and became a computer company in 1957. That is quite fascinating!
As a math teacher, I am somewhat familiar with the company’s calculators and am quite aware there a students who prefer Casio’s products. They are their own group and I suppose those who prefer these great wrist watches by Casio with wave ceptor technology are in a similar market segment.
Along with the impressive technolgy you highlight, I have to admit I like the design and look of the pictures you provide. You get precision and attractiveness with each product.
Excellent product review!
Hi
Great article
When was the first waveceptor released and which model?
Many thanks
Francois
Hi Francois, thank you for your comment.
Casio released their first radio-controlled model (GW-100) in 2000, but it was the German watch company Junghans that released the world’s first radio-controlled watch (MEGA 1) in 1990. This watch could only receive signals from the tower in Frankfurt, Germany.
Citizen was the first company to introduce multi-band radio-controlled watches in 1993.
Hope that helps.
I have one Casio wave vector WVQ-620. I’ve kept in a dark place for a long time like 3months. So I bring it out and I had to put it under the sun for several hours before it works but the time is not correct. What can I do.
There can be several reasons why your watch may not display the correct time.
I would wait a few days and see if the watch receives a radio signal. If not, consult the manual one more time and check if there is anything you missed.
Ultimately you will have to contact the seller.
Let me know if you get it to work!