The “WS” in the Casio WS1800 stands for “Wicked Smart” as it offers several timing and stop watch options that will require a little more intelligence from its user than the typical watch. Despite not being smart, I attempted to navigate the functions of the WS1800 after unboxing it chaotically.
Do you think you’re smart enough to use the Casio WS1800? Click here on this affiliate link to buy one for yourself.
Video Summary
Is artificial intelligence wicked smart? That’s debatable. Some of the information it generates is totally incorrect, but it’s always confident. So I turned to it for a written summary of my YouTube unboxing video of the Casio WS1800. Here it is:
Casio WS1800 Chaotic Unboxing and First Impressions
In this installment from the garage in a snowy West Texas, Jim Kinkade dives into a “chaotic unboxing” of the brand-new Casio WS1800. Known for his appreciation of rugged, “vocationally tough” gear like the $800 G-Shock Mudmaster, Jim takes a pivot to explore what he calls a high-value “El-Chepo” Casio. At approximately $40, this watch brings a futuristic, data-dense aesthetic to the budget-friendly lineup.
A New Addition to the WS Series
The WS1800 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, the WS1600 and the popular WS1700 (known for its tide and moon data). While those models focused on specific niche functions, the WS1800 leans heavily into advanced timing and a unique, triple-tiered display layout.
- The Display: The screen is divided into three distinct sections. The bottom third displays the main time, the middle shows the day and date, and the top features two vibrant LCD animation tracks (one red, one blue-green) that visualize the passage of seconds and timing intervals.
- Legibility: While the numerals are smaller and more “squished” than the legendary AE1500, the overall contrast remains high. Jim notes that the screen architecture is reminiscent of classic tactical squares like the DW6900 but with a more modern, technical flair.
Advanced Timing for the “Wicked Smart”
Jim explores the complex timing module, which proves to be quite a challenge without the manual. The WS1800 is packed with professional-grade timing features:
- Stopwatch with Splits: The module features a 1/100th-second stopwatch capable of tracking two times concurrently across different parts of the LCD.
- 9-Interval Timer: One of the standout features is a programmable interval timer that allows for up to nine distinct intervals. This makes the watch a powerful tool for interval training, work-rest cycles, or any task requiring repeated, timed segments.
- 24-Hour Countdown: Unlike many basic digital watches that limit timers to one or ten hours, the WS1800 boasts a full 24-hour countdown capability.
Vocational Build and Fit
True to the Jim Kinkade standard, the watch is evaluated for its real-world durability and fit on a “big wrist.”
- The 8.5-Inch Wrist Test: Jim confirms that the WS1800 fits on an 8.5-inch wrist, though it sits on the very last notch of the resin band. It doesn’t quite match the “mega-long” band of the AE1500, but it remains comfortable and secure thanks to a “keeper-keeper” ratcheting notch system.
- Rugged Aesthetics: The watch features large, shrouded plastic buttons with integrated textures—including a diamond-knurled light button—for better grip while wearing gloves, like the Klein Tools ones Jim often uses in the field.
- Durability Specs: The watch offers a 10-year battery life and 100 meters of water resistance, making it a reliable standalone tool that doesn’t require the constant attention of a smartwatch. However, Jim warns that the domed acrylic crystal is relatively unprotected and prone to scratching, even during a “chaotic unboxing.”
Final Impressions
The Casio WS1800 is a “Wicked Smart” addition to the Casio lineup that offers a massive amount of functionality for a very small investment. While the interface has a bit of a learning curve—Jim admits to nearly being “mogged” by the complex alarm and stopwatch settings—the watch represents a perfect entry point for those who want a technical-looking timepiece that can survive the rigors of daily life.
As always, Jim concludes the session with a reminder of the values that ground his work: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Stay tuned to the channel for more “tough tests” as Jim puts this budget beast through its paces in the West Texas oil fields.
Conclusion
Speaking of incorrect information, the display stand that the WS1800 came with said the watch has 5 alarms. I could only find one!