Casio AQ-S820W-3BVEF review

What it is

The AQ-S820 is part of Casio's sports-oriented analogue-digital family, a combination watch that shows conventional hands over a digital panel. The 3B version is dressed in black and green and has a resin strap. It sits in the mid-range of Casio's utility watches, above the basic digitals and below the metal Edifice models.

Casio sells it as a sports watch for everyday use, with enough features for a runner or hiker, but without the extra weight and protection of a full G-Shock.

The movement

It is a quartz watch with Tough Solar charging. The dial collects light and tops up a rechargeable cell, and Casio says a full charge runs it for many months in the dark. The digital window provides a stopwatch, countdown timer, alarms and world time, and the hands and digital time can differ if you set a second time zone. Accuracy is typical of quartz, a few tens of seconds a month at worst. It should not need a battery change for years.

Because it uses solar charging, leaving it on a sunny windowsill now and then keeps the cell topped up if you mostly wear it under long sleeves. A power-saving mode turns the display off in the dark to stretch the charge.

On the wrist

The case is of a medium-large sports size, with a resin body and a metal-look bezel. It is light, comfortable and easy to wear all day. The resin strap is soft and has a standard buckle. The green accents add colour while the black dial keeps it readable. If you have a small wrist, check the dimensions on the listing.

The mix of hands and digital window means the dial is crowded. It is a taste matter whether that reads as clever or cluttered.

Water and everyday wear

It has a 100 m rating, which suits swimming and showers, though it is not a diving watch. The crystal is mineral. The hands and some markers have lume, and an LED light illuminates the digital panel. The resin strap resists sweat, so it is well suited to the gym and trips.

Against the alternatives

The Casio G-Shock GA-B2100-1AER is a tougher solar and Bluetooth watch in similar analogue-digital form. The Casio G-Shock GW-M5610U-1ER is a solar and radio digital. The Timex Expedition T49963SU is a cheaper outdoors watch. The Citizen Eco-Drive BM8479-09L is a solar field watch with a more traditional appearance.

For the same tough solar idea with a plainer, more traditional face, look at a Citizen Eco-Drive instead.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

It suits people who want a practical, solar-powered sports watch with both hands and digital functions. Skip it if you want a cleaner dial, a dress look or a watch with a premium finish.