Casio seen as cheap?

[scottish steve]

The other day I was teaching a business English class and we were doing demographics. I asked for an example of a watch which a poor man would buy. Without a moment's hesitation one of my students said "Casio".
I was a bit surprised given how little you can pay for a genuinely decent watch around here....and how many you can pick up for under 100 yuan. I'd love to know just why Casio is still viewed in this way while producing a massive range up to $1,500. And how on earth do they upscale their image? Just stop making anything under a certain price? (say $350?)
I assume (and hope) they're not in financial trouble, but it does seem very unfair that this image should stick

 

[TonyH]

I won't lie, I've seen some pretty cool G-Shock watches that I'll never buy because I still hold on to that "el cheapo" impression...

 

[RayH]

My philosophy on watches is, cheap is fine as long as it works and keeps time. Especially as a matter of practicality. Having worked in machine shops and with industrial furnaces a cheap watch is better than an expensive one. Why? Because if it breaks you're not going to get upset over it. An expensive one you would. And the higher the price the more you would be. An expensive watch is fine for a white collar job, but don't wear one if you work blue collar.

 

[verdict]

Not all Chinese are poor and have low standards. I wouldn't blame you for not knowing any better because you're in Suzhou.

That being said...what's wrong with a Casio?

 

[Psicko]

some businesses never recoup bad images/reputations after they change. I buy the $5 special for everyday wear, and have a few nice watches for special occaisons. I always thought Casio watches to be well made. They are hardworking watches and a lot of them had breakthrough technology. Obviously they are no swiss watch, but maybe it was because of this and possibly the name sounded cheap?

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Yes, it would make sense that a poor man would buy a Casio. Why? Because they're inexpensive, non-extravagant and do exactly what they're intended to do: tell time. A poor man would also buy a Brooks Brothers sportscoat from the Salvation Army because it's $5

Some of a poor man's decisions aren't necessarily unwise.

On another note, did you know that Casio and Timex rank very highly as "knockaround watches" for self-made millionaires?

 

[Austin]

some businesses never recoup bad images/reputations after they change. I buy the $5 special for everyday wear, and have a few nice watches for special occaisons. I always thought Casio watches to be well made. They are hardworking watches and a lot of them had breakthrough technology. Obviously they are no swiss watch, but maybe it was because of this and possibly the name sounded cheap?

I love my G-Shocks. My son wore one during deployment. They are tough as nails. Casio competed against Timex and Texas Instruments (anyone remember their LED watches?) during the 70's. They won because they were cheap. The image of selling cheap watches never went away.

 

[mretzloff]

The other day I was teaching a business English class and we were doing demographics. I asked for an example of a watch which a poor man would buy. Without a moment's hesitation one of my students said "Casio".
I was a bit surprised given how little you can pay for a genuinely decent watch around here....and how many you can pick up for under 100 yuan. I'd love to know just why Casio is still viewed in this way while producing a massive range up to $1,500. And how on earth do they upscale their image? Just stop making anything under a certain price? (say $350?)
I assume (and hope) they're not in financial trouble, but it does seem very unfair that this image should stick

Out of curiosity, which watch brand would you have suggested?

 

[Blondie]

I would buy one of the Casio Waveceptor watches, simply because they were the first ones to come out with an analog version of this technology, plus you never have to worry about setting it like my automatic's.

 

[davecmu]

Out of curiosity, which watch brand would you have suggested?

THIS is an excellent question in this context.

 

[DavyRay]

I have no idea what watches are commonly available in your area. In the US, a poor person would likely buy "fashion" watches with brand names never heard twice. The least expensive Casio would be a couple of steps up from these no-brand watches.

I did actually buy one of these "fashion" watches once, from a shoe outlet store. The bracelet was quite flashy, with gold and silver links. It had three small dials on the face, inset into the larger dial. After getting it home, I discovered that those were painted on, and were not functional. Now that is a cheap watch.

 

[Thebigspendur]

Once a brand gets branded that becomes a problem for them. Seiko has that problem now. In the end who cares what folks think unless you buy to impress others. If you wear a quality watch and you know that it's quality, well you bought it not someone else.

 

[verdict]

once a brand gets branded that becomes a problem for them. Seiko has that problem now. in the end who cares what folks think unless you buy to impress others. If you wear a quality watch and you know that it's quality, well you bought it not someone else.

+1

 

[Gaz]

I have no experience with low/mid/high end watches so I don't pretend to know what Casios rep is. I have owned several G shocks over the years tho and love them. Very rugged, dependable, and durable. For reference, my nicest watch is an orange Seiko monster.

 

[RayG]

I guess it depends on who you ask. There are plenty of Chinese members on the Rolex and Patek forums with collections worth more than our houses.

That being said, it is not surprising that not a lot of the higher end models are not popular here as, like Seiko and Citizen, the best models are available for the Japanese Domestic Market only. It was only recently that Grand Seiko was made available in the USA.

 

[Go West Young Man]

When you say "Casio", I think $19 special.

I'm not a watch person, and I was honestly surprised to find out that they make high-end products too.

 

[bradyarz]

Yes, it would make sense that a poor man would buy a Casio. Why? Because they're inexpensive, non-extravagant and do exactly what they're intended to do: tell time. A poor man would also buy a Brooks Brothers sportscoat from the Salvation Army because it's $5

Some of a poor man's decisions aren't necessarily unwise.

On another note, did you know that Casio and Timex rank very highly as "knockaround watches" for self-made millionaires?

i prefer the term functional or thrifty to poor, but otherwise you've got me down to a 'T'

i'm entering a new job in the next few weeks that will kick me up a tax bracket or two and more than double my yearly salary... and i'll still shop at thrift stores and pine after $300 casio watches. my nicest (only) watch is a $50 tony hawk from kohls.

 

[RayG]

When you say "Casio", I think $19 special.

Here's the flagship of the G shock line: http://www.seiyajapan.com/product/G-GWF-1000-1JF/ATOMIC-FROGMAN.html

I guess it has to do with the Japanese business model - like the Toyota Corolla --> the 375k Lexus LFA. Going back to the OP, do you think there is something wrong with Casio's or Seiko's business model? It seems that they have brand recognition among the "masses" and the people who can afford to buy a $700 G Shock and $7000 Grand Seikos know about their higher end lines, and seriously consider them when shopping for watches in that price range.

 

[jansob]

I think it has to do with 2 things...styling and ubiquity. Their styling has changed very little since the beginning and now looks a bit dated. And since everyone has or has had a Casio, they have little exclusivity. No snob appeal except for their higher lines, and then among techies, not watch collectors. They sell well made, tough and inexpensive tools, not jewelry; and I don't see that as being a problem. Casio shouldn't spend any more energy than they do now in the high-end watch market: it's a lot smaller than the massive one they have now! I really don't think their image is a problem as long as they sell so dang many watches around the world.

 

[Go West Young Man]

The last Casio I owned doubled as a calculator!