The Casio WVQ200HA-1AV WaveCeptor Atomic Watch, has one feature that's definitely out of the ordinary. This watch can synchronize to the 60 kHz radio signals not only from the U.S. atomic clock in Colorado but also from the United Kingdom (UK) atomic clock in England. Additional features of this full-size watch include both an analog dial and a digital display plus world time zone selection. The three-hand analog dial shows the time, and, in Timekeeping Mode, the digital display can show the numeric date or the weekday. In Receive Result Mode, the digital display can show the strength of the received time synchronization radio signal and the time of the most recent reception. You can select any of 24 time zones worldwide for your home time zone.

For night viewing, the hour and minute hands have luminescent centers, as does the short end of the second hand. On the chapter ring (the outer edge of the dial that angles upward) are black graphic minute/second markers. The markers "on the fives" are raised and bold, and the ones between them are shorter and slender. The strap is black resin with a black buckle. Embossed on the black plastic case back are the 24 selectable world time zones plus one or two major city codes for each zone.

The WVQ200HA-1AV WaveCeptor watch offers a choice of 24 time zones as the home time zone selection. These are GMT (0), +1 to +12, and -1 to -11. The four continental U.S. time zones (-5, -6, -7, and -8) are shown during setup as E (for Eastern), C (for Central), M (for Mountain), and P (for Pacific). All other zones are shown numerically. Selecting E, C, M, or P as the home time zone configures the watch to search for and calibrate to the U.S. atomic clock signal from Fort Collins, Colorado. Selecting 0 or +1 for the home time zone configures the watch to search for and calibrate to the UK atomic clock signal from Rugby, England. Automatic Daylight Saving Time changes are the default setting, but you can also elect to perform the changes manually or to turn off the automatic changes altogether if you prefer. 

As is typical of Casio WaveCeptor watches, this one comes preset to perform automatic time signal searches up to five times per day. The search times differ with the home time zone selection and are listed in the User's Guide. If desired, you can initiate manual searches instead of automatic or, if you are out of time signal reception range, you can disable auto search entirely. Under optimum conditions, the watch can receive the time synchronization radio signals from the U.S. atomic clock within a radius of 2000 miles (3000 km) from Fort Collins and from the UK atomic clock within a radius of 1500 km (930 miles) from Rugby. (The User's Guide for the WVQ200HA-1AV also mentions the atomic clock in Germany when describing reception ranges, but this watch cannot synchronize to that clock's radio signal.)

On this watch, the weekday is shown in the LCD panel as a two-letter abbreviation in your choice of English, Spanish, French, German, or Italian. Pressing the B button (the lower one at the 4 o'clock position) during normal timekeeping toggles between date and weekday.

At about 1-11/16 inches (43 mm) in diameter, the WVQ200HA-1AV is sized primarily for men. The watch's 12-hour numbers are quite large (about 1/8 inch) and bold, and the styling is no-nonsense functional. Although this watch is full size, you'll find it to be lightweight and comfortable on your wrist (as well as easy on your wallet). The Casio WVQ200HA-1AV is a logical choice for traveling internationally on a budget.

Note 1: Some watches are shipped from the factory with timekeeping stopped and the second hand at 12 o'clock. Press button A (the upper one at the 2 o'clock position) to start the second hand.

Note 2: On this watch, a button's function is executed when you release the button, not when you press it.

Note 3: The band on this watch is generously sized and has 11 holes for the buckle. The watch will fit wrist sizes from about 5-3/4 to 8-1/2 inches.

Features and Functions

• Atomic watch receives time calibration radio signals that keep the displayed time accurate:
  • WWVB (60 kHz)  from Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
  • MSF (60 kHz) from Rugby, England.
• Time calibration signal reception:
  • Auto receive function five times per day. When an auto receive is successful, the remaining ones for that day are automatically cancelled.
  • Manual receive function is available.
  • Time of last successful signal reception (alternating with receive signal-strength indication) can be displayed.
  • Auto receive can be turned off if desired.
• For atomic time signal reception in North America, the home time zone must be E (Eastern, -5), C (Central, -6), M (Mountain, -7), or P (Pacific, -8). For atomic time signal reception in Europe, the home time zone must be 0 or +1. When any other zone is selected as the home zone, the watch does not search for a time signal.
• Home time zone can be 0 (GMT), -1 to -11, or +1 to +12.
• Automatic Daylight Saving Time changes can be turned on/off for home time zone. DST changes can also be done manually.
• Timekeeping: Hour, minutes (hand moves every 20 seconds), seconds, date, and weekday. Date and weekday displays toggle (via pushbutton) in LCD panel.
• Two-letter weekday abbreviation is user-selectable for English, Spanish, French, German, or Italian.
• Full auto-calendar is pre-programmed from year 2001 to 2098.
• 50-meter water resistant.
• Accuracy: ±20 seconds per month with no signal calibration.
• Powered one CR1620 lithium battery. Average battery life is 2 years (assuming 10 minutes of time signal calibration reception per day).