What was once a niche segment looks set to go mainstream. Competition in the smart ring market could benefit from the arrival of a tech player as big as Samsung. The South Korean giant’s Galaxy Ring could force rivals to improve their products and inspire other brands to jump in. Now, Casio has launched a “ring watch,” but it lacks many of the smart features you may expect.
The iconic watch brand’s new product, called CRW-001-1JR, is more of a fashion accessory than anything else. The company’s focus is not on competing with either smart watches or smart rings. If anything, it looks more like a miniaturized digital watch in the form factor of a ring.
The Casio CRW-001-1JR looks like a smart ring, but it’s actually a watch for your finger
Casio has launched the CRW-001-1JR “ring watch” in commemoration of the brand’s 50th anniversary. The device sports the classic Casio digital watch signature design, which is recognizable at a glance. More specifically, it’s based on the Casio GMW-B5000 model. The company seems to want to explore a potential new niche market that’s more related to fashion than functionality.
The ring hardly qualifies as a wearable; it seems more accurate to call it an accessory. You won’t find any of the smart features available on the smart watches and rings we know today. It doesn’t even integrate a pedometer, so you won’t be able to use it for step counting. It’s all about aesthetics in the CRW-001-1JR. At least you’ll be able to use the company’s classic digital watch functions, such as stopwatches, alarms, and dual-zone time. The product is made of stainless steel and includes three functional physical buttons. It weighs 16 grams and has a small LED light.
Availability
It appears that this ring is only available in the Japanese market. In the land of the rising sun, its price is ¥19,800, roughly equivalent to $130 or £100. That price is up there with some lower-level smartwatches, but it’s still a neat device.