Casio’s latest watch isn’t what you’d expect from the brand. Rather than developing another G-Shock that has die-hards gushing over the quartz timepiece, Casio’s decided to create something a little more, well, quirky. Behold the CPP-002 – a watch with a story that’s just about as captivating as its unusual design. You see, the coil-cord bracelet aside, the CPP-002 is Casio’s first watch designed to be heat and humidity-resistant. Why you ask? Well, the watch is marketed as the brand’s first timepiece designed to be worn in saunas.
Saunas aren’t exactly high-tech battlegrounds. They’re places where you sweat out your existential dread or perhaps reflect on why you’re sitting in a small, wooden room cooking yourself like a rotisserie chicken. And yet, here comes Casio, leaning into this niche with all the earnestness of an inventor convinced the world needs this. Spoiler alert: with rising global temperatures, maybe we do.
Designer: Casio
At first glance, the CPP-002 looks like any other Casio—compact, lightweight, and built to handle everyday life without a fuss. But peel back the layers (or, in this case, step into 180°F of sauna bliss), and you’ll realize this watch is sweating the details in ways you didn’t even know mattered. Heat-resistant battery? Check. Expandable band for those swelling wrists? Oh, absolutely. A built-in 12-minute timer for your sauna session? Now we’re really getting specific. It’s a product so wonderfully niche that it feels like Casio is in on the joke—and delivering it with a straight face.
For a watch weighing just 24.5 grams, the CPP-002 punches above its weight when it comes to durability. Its 35.4mm resin case won’t flinch at heat or humidity, and it doesn’t shy away from water either, with a 50-meter resistance rating. You could almost picture it scoffing at the very idea of being fragile. And yet, it doesn’t scream “rugged” in the same way as Casio’s G-SHOCK lineup. It’s more like the cool sibling who doesn’t feel the need to boast.
Then there’s the timer function—a simple yet oddly charming addition that speaks directly to sauna-goers. With a few pushes of its bullhead-style buttons, you’ve got a perfectly timed 12-minute countdown for your steam-soaked zen. It’s quirky, sure, but undeniably practical, especially for those who lose track of time while wondering if they’re sweating out toxins or just yesterday’s bad decisions.
Visually, the CPP-002 has its moments. The collaboration with Sauna Ikitai adds a playful edge, with dials and stretchable bands in color combos that flirt with boldness without crossing into tacky. Whether it’s the crisp all-black variant or the cheeky versions that have a splash of vibrant orange or sky blue there’s a quiet confidence in the design—a willingness to have fun without overdoing it.
Casio’s decision to keep this watch outside the G-SHOCK lineup feels deliberate, almost like they wanted to prove they could make a tough watch without leaning on that branding. And they succeeded. The CPP-002 is tough in a way that feels subtle, like a knowing nod instead of a chest-thumping declaration. Its heat-resistant battery with a five-year lifespan is a prime example—practical, reliable, and completely on-brand for a watch that’s all about quiet competence.
Priced at around $53 during its crowdfunding phase on the Japanese site Makuake, the CPP-002 is almost disarmingly accessible. It’s the kind of watch that doesn’t demand to be taken seriously but earns your respect anyway. Sure, it’s a little funny that it exists, but it’s also hard to imagine a sauna enthusiast who wouldn’t appreciate it. And that’s where Casio shines—by finding a niche, embracing it wholeheartedly, and delivering a product that makes you smile even as it impresses you.
