The Casio WVQ201HSGA-2AV Wave Ceptor 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.

The chapter ring (the outer edge of the dial that angles upward) is the same blue color as the rest of the dial. On it are gold-tone minute/second markers. The markers "on the fives" are numeric (05 through 60), and the markers between them are graphic (short dashes). Between 05 and 10 on the chapter ring is "receive", and between 20 and 25 is "adjust". These are the respective designations for the nearby upper and lower control pushbuttons on the watch's right side. The link-type stainless steel band has a folding pushbutton clasp. The links are brushed on the sides and polished in the center. The brushed outer portion of the clasp that's visible when you're wearing the watch is embossed with the Casio and Wave Ceptor logos. Embossed on the dark gray plastic case back are the 24 selectable world time zones plus one or two major city codes for each zone.

The Casio WVQ201HSGA-2AV 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 Wave Ceptor 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 WVQ201HSGA-2AV 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 1-7/8 inches (almost 48 mm) in diameter, the WVQ201HSGA-2AV is sized for men. This watch has a look of casual elegance, so it will look good with just about everything from blue jeans to a business suit. And because of its modest cost, the Casio WVQ201HSGA-2AV is a logical choice for people 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 adjustable metal bands on Casio watches are shipped from the factory in their maximum size configuration, which is often quite large. From our measurements, we figure that this watch, as it comes from the box, will fit wrists about 8 inches in size. Thus, many wearers will need to have the watchband downsized (i.e., links removed) to fit. Although doing this yourself is possible with some Casio models (and we can supply instructions), please be aware that this one requires specialized tools. Thus, for band downsizing, we strongly recommend taking this watch to a local professional jeweler who specializes in watch service and repair.

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).