Hey, McFly! Hello? Hello? Anybody home? You may not have been paying attention, but while you were distracted, Casio announced a special edition of its 1970s-era calculator watch, the CA-500WE BF. Later this month, on 21 October, the Japanese company will launch a Back to the Future-themed version of its nearly fifty-year-old wristwatch design.
Great Scott, Casio!
Why that date? You obviously haven’t seen the so-called ‘perfect’ movie lately. 21 October 1985 is the original date that Marty McFly zips back in time in the first film, riding Doc Brown’s souped-up DeLorean to do so. Since the film also turns 40 this year, it’s a great time for some nostalgia-themed retro gear. And Casio does retro very, very well.
What’s so special about the limited edition CA-500WE BF from Casio? Not much, if you’re looking at the half-century-old inner workings. Visually, though, the wristwatch is packed with nods to the iconic Robert Zemeckis film. Most notably, the wrist adornment has been themed to evoke the control console in Doc Brown’s time-travelling vehicle.
The console’s lights are reproduced in the watch’s calculator section, as is the DeLorean’s OUTATIME license plate. It wouldn’t be complete without a Flux Capacitor, which has been engraved into the watch’s rear. The Back to the Future logo also appears on the band’s buckle. Just in case you need a little extra incentive, the packaging (above) is also 1980s themed — it mimics a VHS cassette tape case, which is how many folks in South Africa first experienced Michael J. Fox’s time-travel antics.
Unfortunately, the price is a touch more modern. Buyers will find themselves handing over R2,700 (£115) of their lunch money to Biff Tannen Casio, assuming they can find one of these limited edition watches on sale. The company hasn’t said how many there are, but they’ll only be available online. Forget about finding one at retail. That’s about as likely as owning your own functional hoverboard.
