Casio Celebrates 40 Years of Back to the Future with a Retro Calculator Watch

Casio Celebrates 40 Years of Back to the Future with a Retro Calculator Watch

Few films have captured the imagination of generations quite like Back to the Future. Released in 1985, it became an instant cultural touchstone, in a way that still resonates forty years later. To mark the film’s 40th anniversary in 2025, Casio pays tribute with a special limited-edition release: the CA-500WEBF-1AER, a collaboration that celebrates both cinematic nostalgia and enduring digital watch design.

A Legendary Watch Meets a Legendary Film

When Back to the Future hit theaters, it wasn’t just Marty McFly’s skateboard or the DeLorean that caught people’s attention — it was also what was on his wrist. The Casio calculator watch, a technological marvel of its time, symbolized the futuristic optimism of the 1980s. Compact, functional, and undeniably cool, the calculator watch became synonymous with the digital revolution that Casio helped pioneer.

Casio Celebrates 40 Years of Back to the Future with a Retro Calculator Watch
Casio x Back to the Future calculator watch

Now, four decades later, Casio revives that spirit by merging two icons of the era: the cult-classic CA-500 calculator watch and the time-traveling universe of Back to the Future. The result is a piece that perfectly bridges nostalgia with modern collectible appeal.

A DeLorean-Inspired Design

The CA-500WEBF-1AER takes direct inspiration from Doc Brown’s legendary DeLorean time machine. The most striking detail lies in the colorful accents surrounding the calculator buttons — a subtle nod to the DeLorean’s time circuits, used in the movie to input destination dates.

Casio Celebrates 40 Years of Back to the Future with a Retro Calculator Watch - Casio CA-500WEBF-1AER caseback
Casio Celebrates 40 Years of Back to the Future with a Retro Calculator Watch - Casio CA-500WEBF-1AER clasp

The case and bracelet are finished in a sleek silver tone, giving the watch an elegant yet retro-futuristic aesthetic. While unmistakably vintage in its rectangular form, it still feels at home in today’s fashion landscape. Flip the watch over, and fans are treated to another special touch: an engraved flux capacitor, the mythical component that powers time travel in the movie. Even the clasp features the Back to the Future logo.

Packaging Worthy of a Collector’s Shelf

Casio didn’t stop at the watch itself — the packaging is just as evocative. The CA-500WEBF-1AER arrives in a box designed to resemble an old VHS tape, instantly evoking the era when Back to the Future was first discovered on home video. It’s a nostalgic presentation that underscores Casio’s attention to detail and makes this edition feel like it’s a piece of memorabilia.

Casio Celebrates 40 Years of Back to the Future with a Retro Calculator Watch - Casio CA-500WEBF-1AER Special packaging
Casio Celebrates 40 Years of Back to the Future with a Retro Calculator Watch - Casio CA-500WEBF-1AER Special packaging

Classic Functionality with a Futuristic Twist

Underneath the themed exterior, the CA-500WEBF-1AER retains all the functionality that made the original calculator watch a breakthrough. The digital module offers an 8-digit calculator, allowing quick math operations.

Casio Celebrates 40 Years of Back to the Future with a Retro Calculator Watch
Casio Celebrates 40 Years of Back to the Future with a Retro Calculator Watch

The watch also includes practical features such as a 1/100-second stopwatch, daily alarm, dual time function, and full auto-calendar (programmed until 2099). It lets users toggle between 12/24-hour formats, with a mute feature for button tones. Power is supplied by a CR2016 battery offering approximately five years of life.

Despite its compact appearance, the watch retains a balanced wrist presence. Measuring 43.2 × 34.4 × 8.2 mm and weighing just 53 grams, it wears light and comfortably.

Final Thoughts

The Casio x Back to the Future CA-500WEBF-1AER captures the essence of what makes both brands iconic: timeless design, clever technology, and a touch of playfulness. It’s a celebration not just of a movie milestone, but of how deeply pop culture and digital innovation became intertwined in the 1980s.

With its DeLorean-inspired details, VHS-style packaging, and authentic calculator watch charm, this limited edition delivers far more personality than its £114.90 price tag might suggest. It’s equal parts collectible, conversation piece, and daily wearable — a reminder that even after 40 years, the future (and great design) never goes out of style.

Specs, Pricing & Availability

Brand: Casio

Model: Casio x Back to the Future

Reference: CA-500WEBF-1AER

Case Material: Resin

Width: 34.4 mm

Leight: 43.2 mm

Thickness: 8.2 mm

Weight: 53 g

Crystal: Resin Glass

Case Back: Stainless steel, engraved with flux capacitor motif

Strap/Bracelet: Stainless steel band with adjustable clasp and Back to the Future logo

Movement: Digital quartz module

Power Supply: CR2016 battery, approx. 5 years

Functions: 8-digit calculator, dual time, stopwatch (1/100-second), daily alarm, hourly time signal, full auto-calendar (to 2099), 12/24-hour format, mute feature

Accuracy: ±30 seconds per month

Price: £114.90

Availability: October 22, 2025

Limited Edition: Yes — special Back to the Future collaboration


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