Casio Waveceptor Watches WVA-M640 and WVA-M630 In-Depth Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2024
- This episode of the Atomic Timekeeping Show is an in-depth review of some Casio Wave Ceptor watches, including the WVAM640 which is readily available from U.S. retailers. I also show off a few variations of the WVA-M630 which is available from sellers in Japan. All of the watches featured in this video (except one older model which I clearly identify) use the same Casio module 5161, so they have the same features and functions. The only real difference between the various models are color combinations and watch band and/or bracelet variations. One of the featured watches even has a titanium watch band for improved comfort and light weight.
These watches each have Casio's "Tough Solar" technology. The face of each watch contains a solar cell which automatically charges an internal battery with normal exposure to normal amounts of daytime lighting. My first "Tough Solar" watch from Casio is still running strong after more than 12 years without ever having to worry about replacing its battery.
These also have Casio's "Multiband 6" technology to receive Atomic Time data from up to 6 transmitters in various parts of the world. There's one in China, two in Japan, one in North America, one in the UK and, finally, another one in Germany. If you are using this watch in a part of the world which is too far away to receive the data from those transmitters then the watch will function as a normal quartz watch with accuracy to within a few seconds per month. But if you are in a place where good reception of Atomic Time data is successful, then your watch can double-check itself every night and keep itself accurate to within fractions of a second all the time! It can even make Daylight Saving Time changes automatically.
As you can tell, in my quest for good timekeeping, these watches are among my favorites.
Casio also sells various versions of the LCW-M170 and LCW-M100 in it's "Lineage" like of watches. These also use the same module 5161, so you can use this video as a reference to discover the same functions of those premium watches. Lineage watches often use more titanium in their cases and feature sapphire crystal for improved scratch resistance. The watch faces also have a less-cluttered, more "high-end fashion" look.
Very helpful, even in 2023! Clear instructions, illustrated by video on the
Wav Ceptor'; range of Casio's best!
Your appreciation for these watches is terrific. Thanks for your thoughtful and thorough review!
🍻
I love how all of them are synchronized 👌
I purchased a new in box Japanese import of the Wave Ceptor that features a black fabric band for about $90 USD because of your review and I absolutely love it. The atomic timekeeping, analog-digital functions, and solar power are pretty awesome for a watch you can purchase for under $100 USD. I definitely recommend the analog-digital version of the Wave Ceptor for anyone in the market for a stylish and handy little watch.
Greg, thanks for your very thorough reviews and insights. My son just got me a WVA-M630B-3AJF JDM watch for Christmas and the manual is completely in Japanese so your videos have helped a great deal. I really like the format of your videos, very down to earth, very chill.. Excellent.
Awesome vid. Love the watch vids. Massive fan of casio and never miss a vid of yours when your talking about one 👍
Great video...really comprehensive. I’ve been looking at Casio titanium Ani-Digis on Rakutan for a year and here you are collecting them all along. I’d like to get a titanium Casio Lineage with all-metal case and round buttons, but the cost for those units gets close to titanium Citizens and low-end Casio Oceanus. Not being a collector, I’d like to supplement my bulkier ProTrek PRW-6600YBE with one of these slim units. Casio engineers recognize that painted plastic in underside areas reduces cost and weight, so you would think the same folks who appreciate solar and MB6 would actually dig a little plastic. Lastly, awesome summary on the crystal differences. FYI - I’ve been throwing on cheap non-glare screen protectors on my Casios and Garmins...and skipping their fancier sapphire versions ;)
Thanks for the review. These are cool watches. I ended up getting a titanium
CASIO LINEAGE LCW-M100TSE-1AJF with the same movement from Japan. I absolutely love the grab-and-go nature of these and it's fun to watch it in perfect sync with my atomic G-Shock square.
I also bought that exact same model Lineage and really like it. For perfect time keeping, and feature rich watch I don't know if there's a better value in the market. Titanium, solar, radio controlled, sapphire crystal, analog/digital, day/date, stopwatch, timer, LED, and the bracelet is easily swappable. For me as close to perfect as I've ever seen.
Absolutely fond of your vids buddy! We old good men are nostalgic of the good old 90's. And Casio really rocks!
I have the old style WVA 470 with the resin band. I watched the video on hand alignment, what a blessing because my OCD couldn't take it. I absolutely like the titanium band new style.
Thank you for the videos
20:59 You can hold your thumb over the 6-o'clock position when you press the light button to bounce the light into the LCD.
Brutikus Red *_Sure can‼️_*
Excellent comprehensive review. Amazon US has the Japanese stainless version with the green canvas strap for $72.49 which seems like great deal. Thanks!
Hi Greg! I love this model line as well. I have a WVA-M630B-1AJF (black) and one WVA-M630B-3AJF (green). One is on the modern Bond NATO (black with two grey stripes) and the other is on an army green. I have to say that the face and chapters (true field watch IMO) on these two specific models is a cut above all of the M640s and even most Lineage M100 series. Inner 24h with Arabic numerals, second markers with numbers at 5s increments and most important a orange/red colored second hand! Take a loop and look at the Arabic numerals. They have a tiny bevel polished to a mirror. Take a good look at the hands. They are razor sharp with no apparent irregularities to the edge. Mine are cased in Thailand. Shockingly good quality for a $100 timepiece! BTW are you aware of the M100 series? They come in both steel and titanium cases and with mineral and sapphire crystal. M100TSE is titanium and sapphire. M100TD is titanium and mineral. M100DSE is steel with sapphire. M100DE is steel with mineral. BTW are you aware that all of these watches use the 5161 module/movement and also have the exact same dial dimensions. This means that you can take the entire dial/module/movement and drop them into each others case! Imagine the field MVA-M630B dial/module in a titanium and sapphire case! The exceptional dials in the series IMO is WVA-M630B-1AJF black -3AJF green, LCW-M100D-7AJF white and the LCW-M100DE-1AJF segments. These are all Japanese market only.
PS of the Casio watches cased outside of Japan, the ones made in Thailand are the generally better quality than the Chinese ones
Thank you for the video. I bought two 630s from Japan.
Absolutely the video that I was looking for. Answered every question I had about this watch, and what the variants were. Thanks very much!
Just received my WVA-M630D-7AJF from the US. (I'm in the UK). Thanks for your tutorial to set it up. Much easier than trying to read the tiny instruction booklet that came with it. I had to use the pause button, and go back a little, but I got there after about ten minutes. Just needs a good charge on my window sill. It's a great watch.
I unfortunately became very ill in 2019. During this period I spent much of my time until 2022 in hospitals and recovery. I took my wavecepter watch and wedding ring and put them away not remembering where I had stored them away. I found them last week as for my watch I was shocked it worked and my ring is back where it belongs. I love my wavecepter watch
Had one for a few years now. I have Seikos and Citizens but I keep coming back to the trusty Casio.
Congratulations on the video, the best video I found about these Casio models on you tube, very well designed, takes all possible doubts for those who want to buy and compare such models of Casio waveceptor.
God bless you sir, this was exactly what i needed to figure out my Ebay purchase. Also i love the way that in all the shots the watches are perfectly synced together.
The group syncing is a bonus of the radio frequency time calibration. Makes hacking second hands seem like a quaint technological relic.
Adding another comment here. I have the first watch you show, the WVA470J-1A (resin band instead of metal) and over the last couple of years the second hand kept falling out of time sync alignment. I was thinking that this was a issue with dirt or something similar that might have been causing the second hand not to align. I started to notice that when you go to the H-SET mode that when you held the A button for the second hand to line up at 00, that sometimes the second hand would bounce between a couple of numbers then fall off time anywhere between 3 - 20 seconds. I would align it, then sometimes when it was returning the hand would skip again.
This was actually caused by the leaf spring deep inside the watch between the PCB board and the analog module. I was able to fix mine with a complete breakdown to that part (maybe I should do a video on this as I am not the only one that has had this issue). I did invest in a decent jeweler's visor that does up to 9.6x magnification so I could see everything. The leaf spring inside is only held on by pressure from the spring itself to 2 tiny plastic pegs that are supposed to keep it from moving while maintaining connection to the motor contacts in the analog module. Well, somehow it became a little loose. Using tweezers and the full magnification on my jeweler's visor I was able to realign the leaf spring and carefully reassemble the watch. Ever since then, the second hand has kept perfect time alignment. I am assuming here that the build of the M640 and the 470 are really not that much different so there is a possibility that the M640 could suffer from the same issue / problem.
I was also able to read my serial number off the back of the watch and the last part of it goes 311H, which means that it was built on the 311th day of the year (Nov 7th) in either 2008 or 2018 (H). But since my 470 is old, it was 2008 that it was built. See forums.watchuseek.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12781831&d=1515151118
I believe the manufacturing date on the serial # translates to Jan. 2013.
You two seem like real knowledgeable Casio watch aficionados. What can you guys tell me about my WVA-M630B with serial 002A0141 cased in Thailand? BTW I love this watch's dial with all of the elements that make a true field watch IMO. Arabic numbers with inner 24h and outer second marks with 5s numbers and of course, a colored second hand in reddish orange. BTW if you guys really like the 5161 module/movement it's available in steel and titanium with a mineral or sapphire crystal in the Lineage M100 series. Japanese market only but there are many sellers on Amazon and eBay with these models.
Many Thanks Greg, very useful watches that are accurate as well. I might consider buying the Titanium version from Japan, as it looks great. The good thing is that they also operate with manual time settings.
Totally clear instructions to alter settings; which is only for Wav Ceptor hand adustments.
Excellent video. There's another set of Casio models called Lineage that are very similar and are worth checking out. I have a Lineage and really like it. Perfect time keeping, zero maintenance, feature rich, nice looking, and an exceptional value.
Did you get the titanium version and if so how is it holding up over the years?
Just got the blue faced one that was made in Japan. I love that the band is so adjustable. Very nice quality. Great value.
Great video thanks. Out of all those watches I prefer the American version which is also here in the U.K. I've just ordered one from Amazon with a black resin band but I'm worried because they tend to snap after a couple of years. I might send it back and get the titanium model instead. Love the way the second hand hits all the minute markets spot on, not many quartz watches do that. I shall look forward to receiving mine .. thanks again for a great video.
The import duty is no mystery. It is easy to look up. My recollection is most items below $200 are duty free.
Simichrome will help on the metal scratches.
Thank you for a well made and informative video. I own a stainless steel USA version, bought from Amazon in UK and like it a lot.
Really helpful on the features, build, differences, etc. Helped me a-lot on deciding on that green one i was looking at that lead me to this vid. The lume was a big open question too.
Man this is too good a video
@ 17:12 That is so amazingly convenient. I wish that they had that on the American version, and also a metal bracelet version that includes the Arabic numerals. That would include a few elements of the ideal watch for me.
Check out the Japanese market only Lineage LCW-M100TSE models with titanium case and even a sapphire crystal! The M640 NA market models don't compare to the Lineage series in terms of case/crystal or the M630 series in terms of dial quality. Now you want the ultimate Casio field watch? Take a WVA-M630B black or green and put it in an M100TSE case/crystal! Yes this can be done as the module/movements are interchangeable!
I have wath like this for the last 10 years - very happy.
My watch is slightly different - it has 4 screwes on corners (not real screws but look like head of screw) and LCD screen is straight on top edge.
Amazing detail thank you!
Nice to see that all of your watches are accurate and sync with each other they are ticking exact same time. With automatic watches you never have that.
I binge watch this channel! I was wondering does the green one have a mineral crystal?
Hello Greg, great show. You do know a lot of Casio. I own 7 pc of Casio. A.o.2 of them are wavemasters, a pro trek and a Oceanus.
Normally a quartz watch is missing say a second per month or so. Now I noticed that if the wavemasters do not receive a time signal they can loose a second a day! Any idea how this is possible ( low cost quartz?)
Keep up the good work.
I just recently discovered these Casio wave ceptor and lineage watches. Very nice collection!
Don't forget to check out the Oceanus line as well.
@@RJ-cq8dd this line I sadly a bit more expensive..😏
@@TriantafyllosThessaloniki Yes you pay for higher quality..it is the premium Casio line, reserved for the Japanese market so it has to be imported. But it is worth it.
Great video! I still have the first one you have there with a resin band on it. Great watch! These watches use a capacitor type battery. Some people have claimed that you can get away with a standard watch battery in these watches, but there is a chance that can destroy the charging circuits in them. Unfortunately, the capacitors can be quite pricey. If I remember these use a CTL1616 capacitor in them. Upon looking they have come down a ton! Last time I purchased one it cost me $36 off eBay. As of this morning the cheapest I could see at a quick glance was $9.99. If one needs to replace one always wear gloves as your fingers could destroy the capacitor. A lot of the time though the capacitor is not bad, they just really take a very long time to charge up. I have found it is best to leave them in a window seat of your house for the best charging and wave reception.
I have been attracted to these watches for a very long time! I love some of those Japanese versions you have there! Again, great video!
Thank you very much. Very informative .
Thank you for the clarification!
Very good in-depth review! Thank you, sir.
That was a nice video Greg.... Well done👍
Hi Greg 👋🏻 Fantastic video 👍🏻 Question: Can the bracelet be replaced for a regular leather/canvas/silicone band on the WVA-M630D-1AJF? Thanks 🙏🏻
I bought mine in Japan and it has the days of the week in Japanese. I didn't realise that you could change the language, but I don't want to now.
Quick comment on import duty. If shipped from Japan via DHL or Fed Ex (maybe others too) duty is always charged. If sent by express Japan Post I have never paid duty, never asked to. I am in Thailand btw.
I have the M650. Japanese. $115. bought 10/20.good shipping time. resin band. nice nondescript watch.
Great video with great info. Thanks!
Greg, I bought the Casio 5161 WVA-M630, a few years ago. It was working fine. In Oct 2, 2023, I brought it to Taiwan. I transferred through LAX at Midnight. It did not update the time in LA. I got to Taipei and the time never changed to Taipei time. Some Casio worker change the AM to PM but I don't know what she did. Today is Oct 27, 2023, but the Watch still has not change the time since Oct. 2, 2023! What should I do? Hard reset the watch by removing the battery and reset it? Thanks
I have the same model of Casio Wave Ceptor. I think mine is around 4 or 5 years old now....It's never been lower than "high" on the battery level....Even when I've had it out of the light for a couple months. You say yours syncs up to the atomic clock a few times a week, but mine syncs up nightly...Probably depends on the location, if you're near a window or not....
Regardless, it does try to sync up with the atomic clock every night....I just keep mine on the window sill when not wearing it, and the light there will keep the battery perpetually charged....and the signal constantly keeps it updated with the precise time to the second...It's never lost a second of time....So, you never need to worry about the battery....It's always charged...And you never need to worry about setting it and time accuracy...It's an atomic watch therefore it's always the most precise, accurate time you can have.
I find that the crystal is extremely scratch resistant.....In almost 5 years of constantly wearing it, I haven't scratched the crystal anyway....I did get a couple micro scratches...(hardly noticeable without a magnifying glass) on the metal bezel.....One thing I will say is that it's much classier and more beautiful that the video depicts, because those little minute and hour markers are beveled like a diamond to glitter in the light.....Really an amazing effect....It really does look like an expensive piece of jewelry...I love this watch and will probably wear it until I die which will probably be before the battery ever dies....
It's the only watch you'll ever need, unless you collect watches, but practically speaking, you don't need anything more than this...It's extremely light weight and comfortable.....Given the trend towards big, bulky, over sized watches, I'm sure some will find this to be a welcome relief...During the day it's so comfortable, I hardly notice it's there, which is what you want in a watch....When you need it, it's there...Other wise, you forget you're wearing it.
Wow! Very good in-depth review!
QUESTION : How best go about to exchange the hands
(..to more readable ones, thicker and with more luminance) ?
Do they go with "international" standards (like nails and screws) or do they keep interoperability difficult ?
My model is the same family type, fully numbered but has slimmer hands with lesser lume real estate on them than any of those here.
(LCW-M100TSE-1A2ER but its engraving on its back with 4 screws : 5 alarms, illuminator, sapphire crystal, Lineage, Multi band 6, Wave Ceptor, tough solar, Lineage 5161 LCW-M100TS Titanium)
I bought a cheep used watch just for its (pilot style?) almost oversized hands, with the hopes a watch repair shop would say it's feasible but I did not meet one jet. Illusionary ?
Casio-repair-shops ? Order hands on a specialized shop ?
:-) Thank You anybody ! :-)
Hi. I have a relatively new WVA-M630 and button "A" is not working. Would you happen to know how to fix it? If you don't, I'm sure no one else does either. 🤔 Thanks
Hope you review the base Oceanus (ocw-s1000-1ajf) some day.
Just ordered a WVA-M640D-1ACR Wave Ceptor, $111 in 2023 dollars on Amazon though!
I thought you'd be interested.
There is a WWVH [Hawaii].
We used it in the Royal Australian Navy.
Vernon
WWVH does not transmit the low frequency time codes. Only WWVB in Colorado does that.
Very helpful info. Thank you sir.
Fantastic video. Thank you!
Hey Greg. Any ideas where I can buy a new Casio WVA-M630B case only (no movement)? Thanks.
Very tasteful video. A treat to watch 👌
Hello, concerning the wva-m640d-1acr ; does the bracelot disconnect from the watch? And if so, would only a very specific resin strap be the only strap to put on the watch?
I use armorsuit ipad screen protector as a crystal protector for my watches even on convex faces to help prevent scratches - but I also own polywatch just in case. This is my go to watch for function, although I'd pay double just for nato strap capability... This is as much watch as a human could need and still somehow more than one could ask for.
The M640 series cases suck in comparison to the Japanese market only M630 or even better Lineage M100 series. The M100 comes in steel and titanium cases and some models even come with a sapphire crystal! ALL can take a NATO strap no problem.
I noticed an R and W letter surrounding the 9 marker on the inside ring. What's meaning of those two letters?
I have the green one from japan. Nice lite watch.
I have the M630B-3AJF coming via eBay. I love the field watch look and the "forget about it" features. I cant find any info on the band size/interior lug width. Do you happen to know?
It's 20mm and if you want a great NATO for it check out watchgecko.com My black M630B-1AJF looks fantastic on the Classic Bond black with two grey stripe.
Great video!
Hello, have you ever open to the heart one of his watch to see what it’s made off? I did one of mine and now I can’t rebuilt it (a small plate I don’t know where to put..)
Please, can you confirm this information I got. In order to choose one of them. I read in websites this = "M630D has titanium resin case and band and M640D has stainless steel resin case and band. M630D is slightly smaller and lighter. M630D is 58.6g and M640D is 94g." Is it true?? different material ?? THANKS
Hi Greg. For the models with cloth/leather bands, do you recommend 19mm or 20mm as a replacement? Specs on internet say 19mm, but some reviews I have read have said that 20mm works fine. I am thinking of pairing it with a Barton Elite Silicone Strap, which is offered in both a 19mm and 20mm.
Good question. I haven’t tried to replace those bands so I haven’t tried to measure whether 19 or 20 would work better.
How often you setting upthe time in your watches ? They looks perfectly synchronized.
These watches automatically set themselves every night. It’s one of my favorite features.
Lit video , watches with radio controlled are pretty cool
I bought m630 and m640 with 30 usd in my country,they are in 90% condition
Hi Greg
I have been following your watch videos since around this time last year when I bought a Casio WVA-V650.
In the UK, it retailed around £250 but with the January sales I got it around 20% less.
I really have not used it much as I find it difficult to read the smaller print and numbers. I have reverted to use my trusty WV-58u which is much easier for a Octogenarian to see, even the analogue hands can be difficult to see under certain light.
I have not been able to find any tutorials on line for the WVA-V650, I have the manuals of course but at my age a picture...
Are any of your tutorials close to this model?
Have Casio got a method to naming their models, ie, what do all the numbers and letters mean
Gracias
Question for the good timekeeper -
I am thinking of buying the WVA-M630TDE-7AJF (titanium bracelet) or WVA-M630D-7AJF (steel bracelet). I want to know if I can put aftermarket rubber strap on these. Do they have regular lugs?
I mostly collect mechanical watches and was looking for an casio with multiband6 and analog/digital time, for referencing to set my mechanicals every morning. I like the white dial for better visibility but cannot find one with rubber strap.
Your videos are very helpful, thanks!
I haven’t tried replacing the bracket but it looks like it can be done. I don’t know what size that is. I have two of them which came from Casio with canvas-looking watch bands. Black and green.
@@GoodTimekeeper thanks for your response.
I’ll order one now.
Great content on your channel. Thanks again.
Set time on M630
Are the white ones stainless steel or titanium
The Titanium versions have TDE in the model name, such as WVA-M630TDE. I have one of those and another that isn’t titanium. I am also considering buying a similar watch from Casio’s Lineage models which use the same module but the cases are made of slightly better material.
thanks for your reply
i find these watches quite something !
but i cant help thinking they would be perfect if they had a 4th button
i dont like having to use the same button for the light and reset, and if you skip a number having to cycle all the way through
@@GoodTimekeeper
👍👏⌚, gracias Greg.
Hey. Can someone confirm if the window is mineral glass or acrylic? I'm finding conflicting information online. Amazon UK lists it as acrylic, Amazon US as mineral. User reviews are also conflicting about this. And for some reason Casio's website does not give the complete specifications.
It's the only thing I'm concerned about with this watch. Otherwise, I really like it and the price is good right now.
I believe they have mineral glass crystals. If you want this 5161 module/movement in a metal case (both steel and titanium is available) and a proper sapphire crystal look at the LCW-M100 series. The LCW-M100TD are titanium cased with mineral glass. The LCW-M100TSE is titanium with a sapphire crystal. The LCW-M100DSE is steel with a sapphire crystal. Expect to pay around $200
I can't even find any instruction to set my casio Wvh 100 tj ;(
Casio makes the very best internal works. It's so sad that they put them in cases that are partially made of plastic.
Hi great review,do these time pieces have power save mode.?
Yes they do. It is always there active. I mean it is always activated. I like it a lot.
I have a WVA M630, less than a year old, this morning it's as dead as a dodo..
Not a fan of the plastic I think it is 🤔 on the case?
Is the titanium version 100% titanium?
Nope. The WVA-M640 and WVA-M630 models have a sandwiched resin case. If you want a full metal version of the 5161 module you have to step up to the LCW-M100 Lineage series. They come in steel and titanium cases with mineral crystal and even sapphire crystals on some models. Gorgeous well made watches on par with a Citizen Eco-Drive.
You could almost have bought a nice watch for the price of all does copies. Were you afraid that you wouldn’t be able to understand another watch mechanics or what’s the deal here?
the deal is that you are stupid ( but stupid ppl have an easier life they say)
13:14 The day of the week and date is the only thing that should be displayed in the digi window whenever it’s not otherwise in actual use. Anyone who displays the same time that’s on the analog clock deserves to have their hand chopped off so they won’t do it again. 🤏
I hiss in ur general direction
whatever that fee will be... due sera sera.
777