The Casio A168 is the watch that refuses to die. It has been around since the 1990s, it costs less than a dinner out, and it keeps showing up on wrists everywhere from skate parks to fashion week afterparties. The gold version – the A168WG-9 – takes that same formula and dresses it up.
Watch the video above to see the gold A168 on wrist and in action, then read on for the full breakdown.
What the A168WG-9 actually is
The A168 family is Casio’s vintage digital line: slim rectangular cases, steel bracelets, and the electro-luminescent backlight that made these famous in the 90s. The WG-9 is the gold-tone version – gold-tone resin case, gold-tone stainless steel bracelet, and a gold dial framing the LCD.
A quick note on the model number soup: A168WG-9EF, A168WG-9DF, A168WG-9WDF and A168WG-9VT are all the same watch. The suffix letters are regional packaging codes. If the listing says A168WG-9 in gold, you are looking at the right one.
Verified specs
Model: Casio A168WG-9EF (same watch as the -9DF, -9WDF and -9VT regional variants). Module: Casio 3298. Case: 38.6 x 36.3 x 9.6 mm, gold-tone resin, approx. 51 g. Bracelet: gold-tone stainless steel with adjustable sliding clasp. Water resistance: splash resistant only (WR to ISO 22810) – not for swimming. Battery: CR2016, rated for approx. 7 years. Backlight: electro-luminescent (EL) Illuminator. Stopwatch: 1/100-second, 1-hour capacity. Alarm: daily alarm plus hourly time signal. Calendar: automatic day-date-month. Format: 12/24-hour timekeeping. Accuracy: plus or minus 30 seconds per month.
The gold finish is the whole point
The standard silver A168 is a classic. The gold version is a statement. The gold-tone bracelet and dial give it a dressier feel that the resin-strap budget Casios cannot touch – it reads as jewellery first and gadget second, which is exactly why it works with a blazer as well as a t-shirt.
This is 80s retro done right. The proportions are pure vintage: slim, light, and small by modern standards. It does not try to be a G-Shock. It tries to look like 1989, and it nails it.
That backlight
The A168‘s party trick is the electro-luminescent backlight. Press the button and the whole face glows – not a dim bulb behind the digits like the F-91W, but a full bright panel. It was a revelation in the 90s and it is still satisfying now. At night, this is genuinely one of the most readable cheap digitals ever made.
The honest tradeoffs
Because there are some, and they matter more here than on the resin models:
Splash resistant only. This is the big one. The A168 is rated WR to ISO 22810, which means minor splashing – rain and hand washing. Do not swim with it and do not shower with it. The W800H and AE-1500 give you real 100M ratings for similar money. If water matters to you, buy one of those instead.
It wears small. At 36.3 mm wide and 9.6 mm thin, this is vintage sizing. On larger wrists it will look delicate. That is the look, but know it going in.
Gold plating wears. The gold tone is a finish, not solid gold. With daily hard use – desk edges, gym equipment – it will show wear over time, especially on the bracelet links and clasp. Treat it as a fashion watch, not a beater.
The crystal will scratch. The resin crystal picks up fine scratches, and the gold finish makes them more visible than on the silver version. At this price that is expected, but be honest with yourself about it.
No world time, no dual time. You get the basics: time, alarm, stopwatch, calendar. The module 3298 is simple and that is fine, but do not expect AE-1200 features.
Price and where to buy
The gold A168 typically sells in the $40-55 USD range on Amazon, against a retail price closer to $70. Prices move around, so check the live listing.
Check the current price: Casio A168WG-9 on Amazon (affiliate link, supports the channel at no extra cost to you)
Who should buy it
Anyone who wants the vintage Casio look with a dressier feel than the resin models. Fans of 80s and 90s style who want the real thing, not a homage. People who want a light, slim watch that disappears under a cuff. Gift buyers – this is one of the safest watch gifts under $50.
Who should skip it
Anyone who swims or wants real water resistance – get the W800H or AE-1500 instead. Bigger-wrist wearers who want presence – this is a 36 mm vintage piece. Anyone expecting the gold finish to stay perfect forever – it is plating, and plating wears.
Verdict
The gold A168 is the vintage digital at its most charming. Slim, light, glowing, and unapologetically retro, with a gold finish that lifts it from gadget to accessory. Just respect its limits: keep it dry, treat the plating kindly, and enjoy one of the best-looking cheap watches ever made.
Specs verified against Casio dealer listings and retail spec sheets, October 2026. The -9EF, -9DF, -9WDF and -9VT suffixes are regional codes for the same watch. Prices move around, so check the live Amazon price before buying.