The quick verdict
People call the Casio W-217H the F91W killer, but the F91W does not need to die. What the W-217H actually is, is a bigger and better version of the classic: a much larger and easier to read display, a backlight that is miles ahead, proper 50 metre water resistance, and the loudest alarm of any Casio I own. Unless you want the smallest possible watch, or you want an F91W specifically because it is the classic, I cannot think of many reasons to pick the old watch over this one.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Same idea, bigger case
The W-217H was released in 2018, which makes it a young watch next to the F91W, a design from 1989. The case is significantly larger: 41.2 millimetres across and 10.5 millimetres thick, compared to 35.2 across and 8.5 thick on the F91W. Even so, it weighs only 32 grams and is still narrow enough to slide under a jacket or even a tight shirt cuff without a fight.
The payoff for the size is the face. Casio markets this as an easy reader, and it earns it: the time readout is far larger than the F91W’s, and it makes a world of difference in daily use. One small trade-off is that the module sits a little further from the crystal than on the F91W, which is a minor factor in readability at angles. The case keeps the same button layout and general look, although the blue accent colour is more prominent on the F91W.
The backlight is not even close
The F91W’s backlight is kind of a joke. In complete darkness you can usually make out the time, barely. The W-217H’s backlight is fantastic by comparison: bright enough to read the time across the room. Interestingly, it lights the display in a way that gives it almost a negative display look rather than just shining LEDs at it, which is different from any of my other Casios and looks great.
Water resistance and functions
On the W-217H you get 50 metres of water resistance. The F91W is only water resistant, which in practice means splashes; people swim with theirs, but it is not designed for that. The W-217H is.
Function-wise, this is the familiar cheap Casio set, identical in spirit to the F91W: a single alarm with an hourly signal, and a stopwatch with lap timing plus first and second place finisher timing. Two things to know: the button beeps cannot be muted, and there is no auto calendar. February is set for 28 days, so on a leap year you will have to correct the date manually.
The loudest alarm I own
My favourite thing about the W-217H is the alarm. This is the loudest Casio watch I own, by far. I have had it sitting on a table in a room outside my bedroom and it has still woken me up in the morning. If it is on your wrist, you are not sleeping through it. No other Casio I own comes close.
The strap is the weak point
My least favourite thing is the strap. It is the longest strap on any inexpensive Casio I own, which will suit larger wrists, but on me I am only on the third hole with plenty left over. Worse, it is completely smooth and plain, with no texture or decoration at all, and because of that smoothness the end tends to pop up out of its keeper, especially when working out. You end up settling it back down more often than you should.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Much larger, easier to read display than the F91W
- Backlight is dramatically brighter, readable across a room
- 50 metre water resistance, up from splash-proof on the F91W
- Loudest alarm in my cheap Casio collection
- Still only 32 grams and slim enough for shirt cuffs
Cons
- Strap is very long and plain, and the end pops out of the keeper
- No auto calendar, so leap years need a manual fix
- Button beeps cannot be muted
FAQ
What is the difference between the Casio W-217H and the F91W?
The W-217H is larger (41.2 mm vs 35.2 mm across), has a much bigger time display, a far brighter backlight, 50 metre water resistance instead of basic water resistance, and a considerably louder alarm. The core functions, alarm and stopwatch, are the same.
When was the Casio W-217H released?
2018, nearly three decades after the F91W arrived in 1989.
Can you swim with the Casio W-217H?
It carries a 50 metre water resistance rating, which handles swimming in a way the basic water resistance of the F91W does not.
Final verdict
The Casio W-217H is a great larger version of the F91W. The case is a little beefier, the water resistance is real, the backlight is a marked improvement, and the bigger display makes the watch easier to live with every single day. The F91W remains an icon, but as a watch to wear, the W-217H is the better tool for most people, most of the time.