The Casio Wave Ceptor WVA-510A-1AV Tough Solar Atomic Watch offers some features that are definitely out of the ordinary. First off, this watch can synchronize to the radio signals not only from the U.S. atomic clock in Colorado but also from the two atomic clocks in Japan. Secondly, the WVA-510A-1AV incorporates Casio's Tough Solar powering technology, so battery replacement should never be needed. This watch has an analog main dial with three subdials and an LCD panel. The main dial displays local time, and the LCD panel can display hour-offset time for any of 29 time zones worldwide plus a lot of other information, depending on the operating mode. The WVA-510A-1AV has a handsome, sporting look. It's ideal for casual wear, but you may also want to wear it on other occasions that do not call for a true dress watch.

We should explain how the three subdials work. The subdial at the top of the face of the WVA-510A-1AV is a stopwatch 1/20 second dial. When you use the stopwatch, minutes, seconds, and hundredths of seconds are displayed in the LCD panel. In addition, three analog hands operate. These are the 1/20 second subdial hand, the second hand, and the hand in the battery level subdial at the 9 o'clock position (see next paragraph). In the Stopwatch Mode only, the battery level hand indicates minutes instead of battery charge level.

The WVA-510A-1AV has five daily alarms plus an available hourly time signal. Alarms 1 through 4 are one-time alarms, and alarm 5 is a snooze alarm with a 5-minute snooze period between soundings. Alarm 4 is actually a "target alarm," which counts down the time remaining from the current time in your home time zone until the target alarm time.

For dial illumination, the WVA-510A-1AV uses two amber LEDs. You can select 1.5 or 2 seconds as the illumination duration. Although this watch has analog hands, it does not have a conventional crown. You can set the hands manually by selecting the Hand Setting Mode and pressing buttons as directed in the User's Guide.

Note: The band on the WVA-510A-1AV is generously sized and has 11 holes for the buckle. The watch will fit wrist sizes from about 5-1/2 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 Colorado, USA.
  • JJY (40 kHz) from Fukushima (East Japan).
  • JY (60 kHz) from Fukuoka/Saga (West Japan).
• For Japanese atomic clocks, watch can be optioned to receive one signal or the other or to automatically select whichever one is stronger.
• Time calibration signal reception:
  • Auto receive function five times per day at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 a.m., with an additional auto receive at 5:00 a.m. if none of the previous attempts are successful.
  • Manual receive function is available.
  • Last signal screen can be displayed to indicate last successful signal reception.
  • Auto receive can be turned off if desired.
• In North America, the time zone is selectable for -8.0 (Pacific), -7.0 (Mountain), -6.0 (Central), or -5.0 (Eastern). With DST on, the hour offsets are 1 hour less. In Japan, the time zone you select is +9.0.
• World time: 29 time zones. Hour-offset from GMT is displayed for 1 second in LCD panel and then the time appears. 
• Daylight saving time on/off status is individually selectable for local time and each world time zone except GMT (G0.0).
• 1/100 second stopwatch:
  • Measuring unit: 1/100 second (digital), 1/20 second (analog).
  • Measuring capacity: 59' 59.99" (digital), 59' 59.95" (analog).
  • Measuring modes: elapsed time, lap time, split time, two finishes.
  • Memory capacity: up to 50 lap/split times.
  • Other: Lap number.
• 5 daily alarms:
  • Alarms 1 through 4 are one-time alarms.
  • Alarm 4 is a target alarm that counts down the time remaining from current local time until the target alarm time.
  • Alarm 5 is a snooze alarm with 5-minute snooze period. 
• Available hourly time signal.
• Full auto-calendar pre-programmed from year 2000 to 2099.
• 12-hour or 24-hour time format in digital display
• 100-meter water resistant
• Dial is illuminated by two amber LEDs with user-selectable 1.5-second or 2-second illumination duration.
• User-selectable auto-light function (LEDs automatically turn on when you angle the watch toward your face).
• Receive signal-strength indicator for time calibration signals.
• Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month with no signal calibration.
• User-selectable Power Saving option. With Power Saving on:
  • Watch enters Display Sleep state when left in the dark for 3 to 4 days. Digital display is off, but all functions are enabled
  • Watch enters Function Sleep state when left in the dark for 8 days. Digital display is off, all functions (including analog timekeeping) are disabled, but internal timekeeping is maintained.
• Powered by solar cell and rechargeable battery. Average battery life is 5 months from full charge to Level 3 (recharge needed) under normal operating conditions specified in User's Guide.