The Retro steel band for Casio F-91W, A158 and A168 style watches

About The Retro

The Retro is a slim stainless steel band made of flat, rectangular links set side by side, the look of an old-school steel bracelet on a digital watch. The links are thin and lie flat, so the band wraps closely around the wrist and keeps a small, light watch looking in proportion instead of weighing it down.

It comes in two finishes. Silver is brushed steel with a soft sheen that hides fine scratches, and black is a dark finish that pairs well with a black resin case or a dark display. Both close with a fold-over clasp in the same color, and both have straight ends that slot between the lugs like a standard strap.

It is a quick way to dress up a digital watch that came on a resin strap, or to replace a tired bracelet with one that still looks the part. The flat links catch the light in thin lines, which is most of the charm on a square case.

Compared with a resin strap, steel feels cooler on the skin and a little heavier, and it will not crack or turn sticky with age the way an old resin strap can.

Which width and color to pick

Width is the one thing to get right. Measure the gap between your watch's lugs, where the strap meets the case, in millimeters. The simplest way is to take the old strap off and hold a ruler across the gap, or to measure the old strap right where it meets the case. Our fit guide shows how. Then match it to what we have:

• Black comes in 18 mm and 20 mm.
• Silver comes in 20 mm only.

The Casio F-91W, A158, A168 and AE-1200 all take an 18 mm band, so for those watches, choose black in 18 mm. The 20 mm versions are for watches with 20 mm lugs. A 20 mm band will not fit between 18 mm lugs, so check your watch before you order.

If you want a silver bracelet for an 18 mm watch, look through the rest of our watch bracelets.

Fitting it to your watch

Spring bars and a small tool come with the band, so you can do the swap at the kitchen table. Use the tool to press in the spring bar on the old strap and lift it out. Put a new spring bar through the end link of The Retro, press one tip in, ease the end between the lugs and let the tip spring into the hole. Do the other side the same way, then give each end a firm tug to make sure it is seated.

Try it on before you change the length. It should sit snug enough that the watch does not slide around your wrist, with room to slip a finger under the clasp. If it needs to come in, a watch shop or jeweler can shorten it for you.

Keep the old strap and its spring bars in a drawer. If you ever want the sporty look back, the swap takes the same few minutes in reverse.

Care

Wipe the band with a soft cloth when it looks dull. Now and then, rinse it under warm water with a drop of mild soap, run a soft brush between the links and dry it well, paying attention to the clasp. After the sea or a pool, rinse it in fresh water. Scuffs show more on black than on brushed silver, so give the black one a little more care around desks and walls. Skip harsh cleaners and scouring pads, which can dull the brushed finish or mark the black one.

Delivery and returns

Delivery is $6.95, or free on orders over $49. The delivery time for your country shows on each product page and at checkout.

You can return an unworn band in its original packaging within 30 days of delivery. Return shipping is paid by you, unless the item arrived faulty or incorrect. The details are on our delivery and returns page.