The Casio B640 vs A168 comparison is a choice between a more practical vintage digital watch and a more iconic one.
The Casio A168 is the classic. It has the familiar silver Casio Vintage look, stainless steel bracelet, electro-luminescent backlight, simple functions and long battery life. It is one of the safest choices if you want an affordable retro digital Casio.
The Casio B640 is the more useful watch on paper. It keeps the vintage Casio look, but adds stronger water resistance, a countdown timer and flash alert. It feels sportier, more functional and slightly less “dressy vintage” than the A168.
My honest opinion is simple: the A168 is the better classic, but the B640 is the better practical watch.
Quick Verdict
| Buyer type | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best classic Casio Vintage | Casio A168 | More iconic and recognizable |
| Best practical features | Casio B640 | Timer, 50m water resistance and flash alert |
| Best battery life | Casio A168 | Around 7 years vs around 3 years |
| Best water confidence | Casio B640 | 50m water resistance |
| Best for small wrists | Tie | Both are compact |
| Best retro style | Casio A168 | Cleaner and more classic |
| Best sporty vintage Casio | Casio B640 | More active-use personality |
| Best backlight charm | Casio A168 | EL backlight feels more nostalgic |
| Best everyday utility | Casio B640 | More useful feature set |
| Best overall for most vintage fans | Casio A168 | Simpler, more iconic and longer battery life |
Short answer: buy the A168 if you want the classic silver Casio. Buy the B640 if you want a more useful vintage-style Casio with better water confidence.
Casio B640 vs A168: Main Differences
| Feature | Casio B640 | Casio A168 |
|---|---|---|
| Watch type | Sportier vintage digital Casio | Classic vintage digital Casio |
| Case size | 38.9 x 35 x 9.4 mm | 38.6 x 36.3 x 9.6 mm |
| Weight | 49 g | 50 g |
| Case / bezel material | Resin | Resin / chrome plated |
| Band | Stainless steel band | Stainless steel band |
| Glass | Resin glass | Resin glass |
| Water resistance | 50m water resistance | Water Resistant |
| Battery | CR2016 | CR2016 |
| Approx. battery life | About 3 years | About 7 years |
| Backlight | LED backlight | Electro-luminescent backlight |
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes |
| Countdown timer | Yes | No |
| Daily alarm | Yes | Yes |
| Flash alert | Yes on many B640 versions | No |
| Best for | Utility and water confidence | Classic vintage style |
The B640 is not just a slightly different A168. It is more practical because of the timer and 50m water resistance. But the A168 has the stronger vintage identity and longer battery life.
Design and Style
The A168 looks more classic. It has the well-known black dial, blue ElectroLuminescence text, orange/red accents and polished silver vintage case. It feels like the default metal Casio digital watch people recognize.
The B640 looks sportier and more modern. The case shape is still retro, but the dial layout and model variants often feel more active and less “old-school office digital.” It can look great, especially in black or colored versions, but it does not have the same cultural weight as the A168.
| Style factor | Casio B640 | Casio A168 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall look | Sporty vintage | Classic vintage |
| Wrist presence | Compact but slightly more active-looking | Compact and more iconic |
| Retro charm | Good | Stronger |
| Dressy casual use | Good | Better |
| Sporty casual use | Better | Good |
| Color/version variety | Strong | Strong but more traditional |
| Recognizable Casio identity | Good | Stronger |
| Best style reason to buy | More functional vintage look | More timeless vintage look |
My personal opinion: the A168 looks better as a pure vintage accessory. The B640 looks better if you want something a little more practical and less obvious.
Comfort and Wrist Feel
Both watches are compact and easy to wear. The difference is small.
The B640 is 38.9 x 35 x 9.4 mm and weighs about 49 g. The A168 is 38.6 x 36.3 x 9.6 mm and weighs about 50 g. On the wrist, they are very close. Both work well on small to medium wrists.
| Comfort factor | Casio B640 | Casio A168 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 49 g | 50 g |
| Thickness | 9.4 mm | 9.6 mm |
| Small wrist fit | Very good | Very good |
| Sleeve comfort | Good | Good |
| Bracelet feel | Affordable stainless steel | Affordable stainless steel |
| All-day comfort | Good | Good |
| Best comfort choice | Slight edge | Almost tie |
Both bracelets are affordable folded-metal style bracelets. They look good for the price, but they are not luxury bracelets. Expect some rattle and possible hair pulling.
Comfort should not be the main reason to choose between these two. Features and style matter more.
Backlight
The A168 has the more nostalgic backlight. Its electro-luminescent glow is one of the reasons people love the watch. It feels very 90s and gives the A168 a lot of personality in the dark.
The B640 has an LED backlight. It is useful, but it does not have the same classic EL charm.
| Backlight factor | Casio B640 | Casio A168 |
|---|---|---|
| Light type | LED backlight | Electro-luminescent backlight |
| Night readability | Good enough | Good |
| Nostalgic feel | Lower | Higher |
| Practical use | Good | Good |
| Best backlight personality | A168 | A168 |
If you mainly care about the mood and glow, the A168 wins. If you only need to read the time, both are fine.
Features and Everyday Use
This is where the B640 starts to win.
The A168 gives you the basics: time, alarm, hourly signal, stopwatch, calendar and light. That is enough for most people.
The B640 adds more practical tools, especially the countdown timer. A timer is genuinely useful for workouts, cooking, study sessions, reminders and daily routines. The B640 also has 50m water resistance and flash alert on many versions.
| Function | Casio B640 | Casio A168 |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Yes | Yes |
| 12/24-hour format | Yes | Yes |
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes |
| Countdown timer | Yes | No |
| Daily alarm | Yes | Yes |
| Hourly signal | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Backlight | Yes | Yes |
| Flash alert | Yes on many versions | No |
| Smart features | No | No |
| Sensors | No | No |
The B640 is the better everyday tool. The A168 is the better style classic.
Water Resistance
The B640 wins clearly for water confidence.
The A168 is listed as Water Resistant. That is okay for rain, sweat and careful hand washing, but I would not choose it for swimming or regular wet use.
The B640 has 50m water resistance. That does not make it a dive watch, but it is much better than the basic Water Resistant rating on the A168. It gives more confidence for daily water exposure.
If you want a vintage-style Casio and water resistance matters, the B640 is the better choice.
Battery Life
This is where the A168 wins hard.
The B640 is rated for about 3 years of battery life on CR2016. The A168 is rated for about 7 years on CR2016. That is a big practical difference.
| Battery factor | Casio B640 | Casio A168 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery type | CR2016 | CR2016 |
| Approx. battery life | About 3 years | About 7 years |
| Charging needed | No | No |
| Maintenance level | Low | Lower |
| Best for long-term no-stress use | Good | Better |
Three years is not bad. But seven years is much more impressive. If you want a watch you can buy and forget about, the A168 is better.
Durability and Long-Term Wear
Neither watch is a G-Shock. Both are affordable Casio digitals with resin glass and metal bracelets.
The B640 has better water resistance, so it is more confidence-inspiring for active daily wear. The A168 is simpler and has longer battery life, so it may feel lower-maintenance over time.
| Durability factor | Casio B640 | Casio A168 |
|---|---|---|
| Daily reliability | Good | Good |
| Water confidence | Better | Basic |
| Scratch resistance | Basic resin glass | Basic resin glass |
| Bracelet durability | Basic but acceptable | Basic but acceptable |
| Rough work | Not ideal | Not ideal |
| Sport use | Better | Less ideal |
| Long-term casual wear | Good | Good |
If you want real toughness, buy a G-Shock DW-5600. If you want casual vintage durability, both are fine.
Price and Value
The A168 is usually easier to recommend as a first Casio Vintage watch because it is iconic, simple and has excellent battery life.
The B640 is the better value if you care about features. The timer and 50m water resistance are real advantages.
| Value question | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Best classic value | A168 |
| Best feature value | B640 |
| Best water value | B640 |
| Best battery value | A168 |
| Best first vintage Casio | A168 |
| Best active daily vintage Casio | B640 |
| Best if prices are close | Depends on priority |
My recommendation: choose A168 for style and simplicity. Choose B640 for utility.
Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the Casio B640 if:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| You want better water resistance | 50m rating is the main upgrade |
| You need a countdown timer | A168 does not have one |
| You want a sportier vintage Casio | B640 fits that role better |
| You want flash alert | Useful for alarms and signals |
| You want a more practical daily watch | B640 does more |
| You already own an A168 | B640 adds real variety |
Buy the Casio A168 if:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| You want the classic Casio Vintage look | A168 is more iconic |
| You want longer battery life | Around 7 years |
| You prefer EL backlight | More nostalgic glow |
| You want the safer first choice | A168 is easier to recommend |
| You want a better outfit watch | More timeless silver digital style |
| You do not need a timer | Then B640 matters less |
My Personal Recommendation
If I were buying only one for style, I would choose the A168.
If I were buying only one for practical daily use, I would choose the B640.
The A168 is the better classic. The B640 is the better tool.
For most people who want a vintage Casio, I would still start with the A168. But if you already own an A168 or want better water resistance and a timer, the B640 is absolutely worth considering.
Better Alternatives to Consider
| Model | Why consider it |
|---|---|
| Casio A168 | Classic Vintage Casio with EL backlight |
| Casio B640 | Sportier vintage Casio with timer and 50m water resistance |
| Casio A158 | Smaller and simpler vintage option |
| Casio A700 | Thinner and more refined vintage Casio |
| Casio ABL100 | Vintage look with Bluetooth and step tracking |
| Casio AE1200WHD | More functions and 100m water resistance |
| Casio W800H | Practical, cheap, 100m water resistance |
| Casio F91W | Cheapest plastic icon |
| G-Shock DW-5600 | True rugged upgrade |
If you want classic style, A168 wins. If you want functions, compare B640 with AE1200 and W800H.
Final Verdict
The Casio B640 and A168 are both good vintage-style digital watches, but they are good for different reasons.
The A168 is the better classic. It has the stronger Casio Vintage identity, longer battery life and more recognizable design. If you want the iconic silver Casio look, the A168 is the safer choice.
The B640 is the better practical watch. It has 50m water resistance, countdown timer and flash alert, which make it more useful in daily life.
So the final answer is simple:
A168 for classic vintage style.
B640 for better features and water confidence.
If you want the watch that looks more iconic, buy the A168. If you want the watch that does more, buy the B640.
FAQ
What is the difference between Casio B640 and A168?
The B640 has 50m water resistance, a countdown timer and flash alert. The A168 has a more iconic design, EL backlight and longer 7-year battery life.
Is Casio B640 better than A168?
For features, yes. For classic vintage style and battery life, the A168 is better.
Which has better water resistance, B640 or A168?
The B640 is better. It has 50m water resistance, while the A168 is only Water Resistant.
Which has better battery life, B640 or A168?
The A168 has better battery life at about 7 years. The B640 is rated for about 3 years.
Does the Casio B640 have a timer?
Yes. The countdown timer is one of the biggest advantages of the B640 over the A168.
Does the Casio A168 have a timer?
No. The A168 has a stopwatch and alarm, but not a countdown timer.
Which has a better backlight, B640 or A168?
The A168 has the more nostalgic electro-luminescent backlight. The B640 has a practical LED backlight.
Can you swim with the Casio B640?
It has 50m water resistance, so it gives more confidence than the A168. Still, it is not a dive watch, and I would not make it my main swimming watch.
Can you swim with the Casio A168?
Not recommended. It is only Water Resistant.
Should I buy Casio B640 or A168?
Buy the A168 if you want the classic vintage Casio. Buy the B640 if you want better water resistance, a countdown timer and more practical features.