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Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide) Sure, the latest Apple Watch 10, Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Google Pixel Watch 3 are all nice, but sometimes, nothing scratches the ‘wrist candy’ itch quite like a semitransparent, baby blue Casio Baby-G watch. In fact, the Baby-G BG169R-2C (Casio has never been one for cutesy names) has five major advantages over even the best smartwatch models available today. It’s as if the 1990s never left us, Hammer Time, the Macarena, and all. This $89 gem is big on nostalgia and brimming with fun 'easter eggs,' namely, random animations of doggies, puffer fish, etc. that generate on the LCD (more on that below). You may like I swapped my Apple Watch Series 10 for a Google Pixel Watch 3 — here’s what I liked and disliked I swapped my Apple Watch for the Galaxy Watch 7 — here's what I liked and disliked 5 reasons why the Garmin Venu X1 could be my new favorite Apple Watch Ultra 2 alternative 'But, Dan, isn’t that a girl’s watch?' Uh, who cares? In 2025, you can have your cake (pretend it's still the 1990s) and eat it too (wear whatever you want). Casio Baby-G BG169R-2C: $89 at casio.com The Casio Baby-G 'dumb' watch in baby blue boasts 200 meters of water resistance, a three-year battery, and all sorts of 1990s nostalgia. 1. Fun 'easter eggs' This brings me to the first advantage this Casio Baby-G has over the best Apple Watches and best smartwatches for Android. Whenever you press the LCD backlight button (the one with the big G below the display), a silly little animal animation occurs at the top of the screen, briefly replacing the day of the week. This little surprise also occurs every time the seconds counter reaches 30. Four animal animations are generated at random, including a dog wagging its tail and barking, a cat playing, a dolphin swimming, and a puffer fish inflating. Is this feature groundbreaking? Maybe back in the early '90s, but that's fine by me. I smile every single time I press the backlight button, and you probably will too. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. (Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide) 2. No batteries to recharge Like most 'dumb' digital watches, my Casio Baby-G should last for roughly three years before needing a battery change. While this will likely require a trip to a local jeweler to ensure proper waterproofing post battery swap, the CR1616 battery it runs on can be picked up for around $1. On the flip side, you’d be lucky to get two days of battery life out of the best Samsung smartwatch or Pixel Watch, and closer to one day from the latest Apple Watch 10. 3. Better water resistance than even the Apple Watch Ultra 2 50 meters of water resistance is par for the course on most smartwatches, except for the Apple Watch Ultra series and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, which cap out at 100 meters. While 50m might seem like solid protection, what it actually means is that your smartwatch is rated for 'shallow-water activities' only (Apple’s words, not mine). Here’s a deeper dive into what smartwatch water resistance ratings really mean. Meanwhile, 100 meters of water resistance clears you for watersports and shallow water scuba diving. Want something that can go even further? This Casio Baby-G boasts a deep-sea-approved 200-meter water resistance rating, greater than not just the 'Ultra' smartwatches of the world, but also my favorite outdoor adventure watch, the Garmin Instinct 3 (also 100m rated). 4. Nostalgic in all the best ways (Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide) In 2025, it feels like everyone’s rocking something ‘smart’ on the wrist, whether it’s an Apple Watch, Android smartwatch, Fitbit or Garmin. You know what’s much rarer to spot in the wild? A semitransparent, baby blue Casio Baby-G. It’s also a compliment-generating machine. I already touched on the nostalgia factor; I was born in 1988, so the 1990s were the heart of my childhood heyday, and I was all about that pre-Millennium colorful, semitransparent aesthetics, from iMacs to Yak-baks. Maybe my obsession with the Baby-G BG169R-2C is really just a physical manifestation of my subconscious yearning for ‘simpler’ times, before the mass adoption of smartphones, back when Nintendo 64 still reigned supreme, and Carson Daly was still playing music videos... but I digress. 5. Less than $100 and available in an assortment of fresh colors Casio Baby-G watches come in a wide array of styles and bold colors, and few cost more than $100. The BG-169 model shown here can also be picked up in semi-transparent pink, clear, minty green, smoky black and green, and so many more. The latest Apple Watch Series 10, meanwhile, starts at $399. The Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 8 start at $349. Each of the devices is available in a small selection of case colors, ranging from silver to rose gold, but for something more colorful and bold, you’ll either need to opt for one of the best Garmin watches (like the Instinct 3) or dress up your boring smartwatch with a fun strap. Which brings me to my final point. If Apple does indeed launch an all-plastic Apple Watch SE 3, as some rumors suggest, I’d love to see a limited edition, transparent version. Now, that might actually get some compliments. Until then, I’ll keep rocking my baby blue Baby-G. More from Tom's Guide Forget the Apple Watch — 5 reasons I’ll be wearing the new Casio G-Shock this summer instead The future of wearable wellness tech: 5 wild predictions for 2035 according to experts and industry leaders I biked 13 miles with the Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — and there's a clear winner $299 at Amazon $383.28 at Staples $399 at Walmart Apple Watch Google Pixel Watch Dan Bracaglia Social Links Navigation Senior Writer, Fitness & Wearables Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others. An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 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