The Casio brand name is associated with quality electronics ranging from televisions and keyboards to cash registers and digital cameras. The company was established in 1957, and the early focus was on the development of compact all-electronic calculators. However, in the early 1970s, the company made a commitment to diversification and entered the international watch market with the introduction of the CASIOTRON in 1974.The CASIOTRON was one of the most advanced and efficient models on the market, with a unique function that automatically determined the days in a month and leap year status. Since the 1970s, Casio has maintained a commitment to producing watches that offer both function and style. Over the past few decades, the company has introduced watches that function as timepieces and calculators, dictionaries and address books.
The face of the watch industry changed with the introduction of the Casio G-Shock watch in 1983. Leading up to the introduction of the G-Shock, the trend was towards sleeker watches that featured thin, lighter bands and faces. Breaking away from the trend, the G-Shock featured a rugged look and was designed to withstand a drop from the top of a building. The G-Shock continues to be Casio's signature watch because of the innovation associated with the development of the first shock resistant watch.
Casio's dedication to timepiece innovation did not end with the G-Shock. In 1999, Casio released the world's first GPS watch. The Satellite Navi allows wearers to easily determine directions and distance based on current location or destination. The line of Casio GPS watches is popular with outdoorsmen who are looking for a functional, lightweight and compact GPS device.