Casio A158W Clean Face Mod

Edit 2019/10/30:
This modification was inspired by some pictures I saw online, but I just find out that there is also a video of it: • Video
I uploaded a picture of a Casio A158W with modified face a few weeks ago and received some very positive feedback, so here's the video. This is not the cleanest job, the paint job on the face is not perfect and have some chips that can be seen from close distance. Anyway, I'm happy with the result. This Casio looks clean and minimalistic, would go well with the suit. Will definitely try this with other Casio watches in the future.
The machine you see in the video is a vinyl cutter. I used it to cut a precise sticker to mask the crystal.
Visit my shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/WildTechsas
Crystal cutout mask:
drive.google.com/file/d/1Uejp...
Casio A158W:
(US) amzn.to/2XCwt60
(UK) amzn.to/2xBW7si
Screwdriver set:
(US) amzn.to/2IJex1R
(UK) amzn.to/2UHJ6qj
Cutting Mat:
(US) amzn.to/2IZZRee
(UK) amzn.to/2XMKUjI
Music by Airglow, please show some love:
/ airglowsounds
Follow me:
/ wildtechsas
Support my broke ass on Patreon:
/ techsas

[@NickDe39]

Ha, that's a 20 buck watch at Walmart, after all that work you made it worthless. Ha, and since I have different watches, need those labels to know how to use it.

[@Techsas]

Haha lol IKR, must be wasting my time LMAO TTYL M8

[@TheAechBomb]

because it's hard to operate a watch with three buttons lmao

[@chriswintersgill1072]

Man it was a $20 watch I am sure he's not worried about it's worth. It's fun just play around with stuff. Who can't figure out in seconds the function of this most basic of watches?

[@aidanoddlokken3881]

You must be broke as fuck homie lol

[@021mr5]

You must be really fun at parties.

[@JackyYBT]

I won’t do this by myself but it’s so satisfying to watch other people doing it. Great video as always!

[@Walden-jx4mi]

I can see why people think that looks nice but in my opinion, a Casio digital watch doesn’t look quite right without all of the markings they put on them

[@Techsas]

True. Different strokes for different folks.

[@brandonar868]

Exactly....if i wanted a basic looking apple watch I'd buy one. But if you actually want to rock a Casio you'd want all the weird writing 😂

[@posceve]

I suggest to put a Casio logo every time but in a different place. According to your specific design

[@dsi76]

The A158WEA-1EF variant has the Casio markings with a simple black cutout :-)

[@amjan]

Indeed, it doesn't look like a Casio anymore - it looks like something BETTER than a Casio!

[@kevinle207]

The songs seem like into the series Lethal of Weapons, or movies in 80s, love it

[@Techsas]

That's the idea!

[@fanclub69]

I like the music too. Yes 80's stuff

[@Sancho_Retablez]

5:52 I love how pure and neat this watch looks with no letters.

[@nicholashernandez1494]

Looks different and cool. Awesome job with it. You made it look more simple and modern. Plus it’s great practice if you want to keep modding watches. And to all the people with negative comments, I hope what ever is missing in your life you find it.

[@panosab]

The watch is beautiful, the music is perfect, the video is great ! Love it...

[@Techsas]

Thank you !

[@DonCacomixtle]

As simple and easy as extirpate a heart with a spoon.

[@Techsas]

I see quarantine is going well for you

[@knl1705]

Honestly, you are my biggest fan when it comes to vintage casio watchs! Keep up the good work man ! And don't forget to make more videos about modding vintage casio watchs

[@felipeiturreyes3385]

Excellent Job bro!! I love vintage digital whatches

[@danebeck7900]

That took a lot of courage to pop off the face with that crazy strong adhesive! I'd be terrified of breaking it. I like the markings Casio originally put on the face but the clean black look is a neat reinterpretation. Excellent soundtrack too!

[@Techsas]

Thanks! The face is acrylic, much harder to break than glass, but it still feels like breaking every time hahah

[@paracore4313]

Wooo hooooo! Another upload! Your my favorite channel by far and even inspired me to buy my own F-91W

[@Techsas]

Ahhh staph it... Thanks!

[@cyvoc2316]

Looks awesome and kind of cyberpunk style. I love it, and will try it myself. Great video! Thanks for the inspiration.

[@Techsas]

Thanks!

[@ahmedsalek976]

That left me speechless, and I'm not exaggerating.

[@MatthewRhodes]

Damn! I dig that minimal look!

[@andrew1212w]

Great video I enjoyed this and it’s given me something to do during the lockdown with my old Casio watch 👍

[@Techsas]

Thanks!

[@docsanti8971]

It looks much better! Well done!

[@Techsas]

Thanks!

[@imagebboy]

You got me hooked my man... Been working on my own mods recently. I just scooped up a A700WE-1A, would love to see your ideas for it.

[@Techsas]

Haha... Yes! still thinking what to do with A700WE

[@imagebboy]

@@Techsas Its so square, I don't know if I would enhance that look to make it kind of like an FS-52, or do something more dressy...

[@anxiousatchara]

holy crap, it looks gorgeous!

[@guandasin3099]

Can you give us the measurements you used to cover for the digital screen or a document file so we could print it with

[@NordicWatchChannel]

Damn that looks really nice! Little bit too complicated for me to do but was an interesting video nonetheless :) Would look dope if the dial still had a "Casio" written on it somewhere!

[@Techsas]

Thanks, I tried to keep "casio" but couldn't get a satisfying result

[@Techsas]

@donkey ass reviews and do's thats the idea haha

[@christophermoyer6103]

would also be cool and funny to brand it as a Rolex

[@johnadams3107]

If I was CEO of Casio, you my freind would be on the payroll.

[@Techsas]

Haha... That must be the reason why you are not

[@pein8695]

Techsas 😂

[@TheGalacticEmperorOfLabels]

What he said.

[@souravsaha2253]

@@Techsas dusted in a second..

[@theshuriken]

2:59 did you just reverse the tape? or you add additional special tape?

[@RM-el3gw]

Amazing work! You are very talented. I wish Casio offered this exact version of this watch without the colorful markings - your project seems like a good alternative. How's the readability of the display after applying that polarized filter?

[@rhov1422]

this wold look even better in the golden one.

[@Techsas]

Tru

[@Moacirlucas]

finally someone who teaches how to do this mod! THANK YOU MISTER

[@Techsas]

No probs

[@knl1705]

It looks even nicer than my casio f91w watch. Fantastic! Try to do more of these casio watch mod please

[@Techsas]

Thanks!

[@knl1705]

@@Techsas your welcome

[@HM-LDN]

Absolutely amazing work my friend, minimalism at its finest.. do you sell these works of art?

[@Techsas]

Thanks. This one will be up for sale In a few days!

[@HM-LDN]

@@Techsas your welcome where can I find your items when on sale friend?

[@Techsas]

@@HM-LDN I'll put a link in the description ❤️

[@pvttrevor]

Very good job, congrats!

[@morganix007]

Love the 80's style music!😃

[@Techsas]

THanks!

[@thisisbhm]

For anyone looking the music up. One around the middle is No Looking Back by BT-84. It's not Afterglow like description says

[@dimmoIshere]

What is it call if I just want to buy the watch machine, anyone know? Fyi, i wan to build my own watch. Thanks

[@Techsas]

A watch machine? Are you talking about module or time machine?

[@willypiriz432]

Se puede usar el film adhesivo que se usa para polarizar vidrios de autos?

[@Tomdragon91]

How did you get the faceplate to stick back on? I watched the video but I'm still confused. Did you use some double sided adhesive tape or something?

[@final0915]

4:24 at 1 moment I thought it to be an artistic engraving, imagine that for the A158

[@Techsas]

I wish it would be metal, hard to engrave plastic...

[@BruceChastain]

has anyone done one with the face black but the lcd display left factory? That's what I'd like to do. good job by the way, well done.

[@KHAN-hx4sm]

thanks for making youtube an amazing place

[@redamehdihassan1113]

A beautiful and extremely wonderful display. I wish you permanent happiness, success and progress in your wonderful work. Health and safety to all of you with the utmost thanks and respect. Greetings.💕💕💕💕💕

[@henrycharles2489]

Might pick up a second f58w to try this out. Great video!

[@Techsas]

Go for it!

[@foraxeldummy5393]

A watch that not fancy. A must have watch for minimalist. I want that.

[@dixonqwerty]

Really slick looking!!!!

[@aviloriaduran]

brother I have a casio that the screen looks very dark and when I uncover it to change the polarization I realize that it is a glass and not a flexible sheet, if I try to change it and it breaks what would happen and I have another casio that the straps come in a single piece with the casing of the watch there is no way to make an adaptation to put straps on it, if you have an email send it to me so I can send you a photo of the watch with the straps to see how you can help me, THANKS in advance

[@lengman2112]

How did you go about stencilling the window for the display before spray painting? What’s it made of and how does it stick to the plastic? Did you re-attach the plastic front to the case with a form of sticky back tape? If so, does that mean it’s no longer water resistant? If so, is there another way to do it to make it water proof? eg. Using a strong glue? EDIT: I love what you’ve done with the blackout look and I’m curious about the process

[@Techsas]

I cut stencil. with vinyl cuter and it's made of self adhesive vinyl. There is a file in the description. I used double sided tape to stick it back. There is a million ways to stick it back, I used what I had at the time. It's not as water resistant as it was.

[@lengman2112]

Techsas Where would be the best place to get replacement displays for the W-217? Also where can I buy the coloured bits of plastic that you put over the displays?

[@Techsas]

@@lengman2112 I don't think you can get replacement displays for w217. Colored bits of plastic are called gel filters. I use rosco color

[@Daveski_UK]

What type of film do you use to invert the display? I plan on doing this, it’s a fun little mod

[@sean640]

stellar job lad

[@Techsas]

Thanks!

[@bukeksiansu2112]

The background music reflects the watch itself

[@stewartkelly2824]

The music is like something from a montage scene in every eighties movie you ever saw.

[@mr.disney4740]

OMG...this os the coolest thing I ever seen on a refurbished/ remodel on this model specifically ! I use to have a texas instruments watch just like this in 1975👍👍

[@Tyle_smalcu]

Impressive job

[@Techsas]

Thanks!

[@agw100100]

Well done. A great example of "less is more".

[@riotpoliceTRELL]

Me starting the video: maybe I could do this at home Me a few seconds in: okay so I definitely can’t do this at home

[@Avidcomp]

I have a 1980 Casio Melody Alarm that I'd like to modify, but it's missing one button. Any idea where I might source one from? Your mod looks great.

[@Techsas]

No idea. I would be looking on ebay for a broken one and use parts from it, but I don't see many of them.

[@jiyon167]

Quality mod, I do something similar with the F91W. Although I have modded the A158 before, but it’s more difficult with the A158 as the build quality is rubbish compared to the F91W the acrylic screen scratches really easy. Is that a vinyl that you’re using for masking? What sort of sheet is it? Cheers.

[@Techsas]

Hi Thanks! Yes, I used vinyl cutter to cut a precise shape. I thought that A158 and F91W has the same acrylic face. Anyway it's easy to get rid of the scratches with something like Polywatch.

[@brandonar868]

I like all the mods you do on these watches but my hands are too big to pull off these watches now lol 🤣😢😅

[@Techsas]

Haha.. unlucky..

[@matteusmag]

Check out the Casio B650WD-1ACF if ya got those large hands.

[@kinguin7]

After you peeled the polarized film from the LCD, did you turn it around or have to replace it? I took apart some calculators back in the day and made the displays negative, wondering if the same trick worked here.

[@Techsas]

I replaced it. Turning the old one would work but it wouldn't fit the display.

[@kinguin7]

@@Techsas thanks for the reply! I watched a few of your other videos and read your comments about getting film with adhesive on one side. I guess on the calculators, the angle just happened to be right that flipping the film over (side touching the LCD became side away from LCD) worked, and they didn't have adhesive on them.

[@ZicoNadStarr]

do you think its possible to put apple watch or anykind smartwatch device inside the casio? that will be so dope

[@Techsas]

That's a lot of planning...

[@ethand4784]

nope the watch is too thin for a smartwatch board

[@dannemannen18]

How did you msie the front black? I didn't see it in the video. Wasnt it the back you showed us?

[@Techsas]

2:18

[@abdullahkhaled572]

Damn! Looks awesome!

[@Techsas]

Thanks!

[@victorjoepulickal833]

Superb bro..I will definitely give it a try

[@Techsas]

I'd like to see it!

[@yourcaseworker6916]

So 80's Cylon tyrannyish...with a splash of Knight Rider...Add a red l.e.d. light oscillating back and forth and you'll have something for the masses.

[@Techsas]

Haha... That's some big plans

[@Kwales66]

Great Mod.

[@bilalagha9954]

Hi Do u know which Ceiko watch is the most accurate that in a person whole life it's off few seconds.

[@Techsas]

Hi, I don't really understand your question. I don't know which one is most accurate. To me personally it's not a big deal if the watch go off by a minute in a year .

[@wiktorprzygodzki4325]

Awesome video! Is inverted display much harder to read? Also how is the backlight working with it?

[@Techsas]

Thanks! It is not harder to read, I would say it's the same. It looks a bit harder on camera. Light is working but it's just as useless as original.

[@user-ty5mj8dl2o]

Wow this looks totally amazing dude I wanna buy it if you are still planning to make more

[@Techsas]

It's a real pain to make one...

[@MadManX668]

That was really cool!

[@guandasin3099]

How did you get the specifications to cover the screen perfectly? Have any links or file to it? And any alternatives as compared to the printer thing you used?

[@Techsas]

I just measured measured height and length made a few variations of the corners in Photoshop and sent it to vinyl cutter. Chose the one I like the best and went with it. Can't really say what to do if you don't have a viny cutter... Cutting by hand is always an option

[@guandasin3099]

@@Techsas Alright now I understand. What was the kind of paper you used to make it stick though?

[@Techsas]

@@guandasin3099 vinyl. The thing they make stickers from

[@guandasin3099]

@@Techsas alright, thank you my friend! I really admire your work here, such a clean and simple look. Smart techniques too!

[@Mithunpoojary1111]

Please tell me where can get that slip double side tape u used while sticking the front glass to frame.

[@Techsas]

Look for mobile repair tape

[@jonwheatley]

I love these videos. Glad I found your channel. What screwdriver set is this? It looks amazing.

[@jonwheatley]

I’m in idiot. Link is in description. Cheers!

[@Techsas]

Thanks for watching!

[@ohwii]

I really like your work. I always come back to this video. What glue are you using to glue the glass back on the watch?

[@Techsas]

Thanks! As far as I remember I used double sided tape

[@kuchauwe752]

​@@Techsascan you tell the name of the adhesive

[@yungkyg]

Such a nice mod

[@Techsas]

Thanks

[@Absar163]

is there anything else I can use other than vinyl

[@LongHoang-es4dh]

Where should I find the color plastic display?

[@matthewhoover6154]

I wonder if it is possible to change the color of the backlight/led/ EL display

[@Techsas]

It's probably possible to put a film in between the EL panel and display. If the film is coloured then that would change a colour. Very good idea for a video!

[@MonkeyD.Najibb]

Damn that’s clean

[@nishanthsrinivas1456]

Does it retain water-resistance after this mod?

[@savneetsinghrairai6823]

I also changed lcd back silvery flim of my antique coreless phone as a experiment...successful

[@Techsas]

Haha nice!

[@BlaBla-rz5rh]

How do you changed that?

[@de..vision]

@@BlaBla-rz5rh he turned it upside down i think

[@Marco-cl9pb]

I don't see it as an improvement still cool work and entertaining to watch

[@andyweb7779]

Can you buy F91w crystal/acrylic blanks?

[@dsi76]

Nice job. Check out the A158WEA-1EF which has the black cutout but with the Casio writing. I got mine from Spain, it’s not available in N. America. You can use that as the base next time for your inverted LCD.

[@NathanChisholm041]

The 80s inspired music got me thru!

[@Techsas]

Happy you liked it!

[@Wakwawww9066]

clear black , elegant

[@Techsas]

❤️

[@jamescarter2013]

This was an enjoyable video ❤

[@Fririshman]

Best retro intro and music.

[@jkv9461]

Very nice! But my copy machine that makes those dark transparent stickies to spec is out of toner. Thx tho.

[@imawanwahyu4751]

Is it possible to use nato strap to this watch? Size 18 mm right?

[@Techsas]

It's Possible. Yes it's 18mm. I installed nato strap on 168 in my previous video

[@Absar163]

what do you use the crystal cutout for??

[@ao3188]

One day you will put your collection in casio museum

[@Techsas]

Haha... Where's casio museum? I wanna see it

[@ao3188]

@@Techsas they will make one only for you ma man

[@Techsas]

@@ao3188 if that happens I'll invite you for free

[@pdebie1982]

Would this work on a A168 also?

[@jeanjimmy97]

Bro, too good.

[@Techsas]

Thanks a ton

[@meemee9302]

you shoul modify the light ? or can’t do?

[@Mike1614b]

I think it looks great.

[@Techsas]

Thanks!

[@Vanycar]

Sorprendente 😯

[@dennismeukens]

Would love to see a video of the same mod on the new Casio A1000d. I want to remove the mother of pearl insert for something more classic looking.

[@Techsas]

That's a great video idea!

[@dennismeukens]

Techsas , let me know when you are going to make it ;).

[@cosmoraptor3743]

Hey man, great video do you have a file of the sticker you put on the watch face for spray painting? I would like to do the same.

[@Techsas]

Thanks, I updated the description, you'll find it there.

[@cosmoraptor3743]

@@Techsas Man thanks a lot! I love the F91W community its just the best everybody helps each other out. :)

[@shijojose6082]

Hey mod more casios.✌✌ I had this crazy idea of changing w218 movement to an old gshock g7710 i have which is much worn..

[@Techsas]

That might not work. It's 2 different modules

[@Andrés_2307]

Excellent job! You are cool. Congratulations. Cheers. 👌👌👌

[@matthieucamy-sarthy9495]

Hey Techsas, what is the best kind of paint to repaint those faceplates like you did ?

[@LTLT900]

Dulux I believe.

[@memedealer9417]

Hey I downloaded the stencil to print out but the rectangles were way too large to fit onto the face of my a158W. How much would I have to downsize the file in order for it to fit? Btw, I am honestly loving your mods!

[@Techsas]

Thanks! If you print it on A4 with 100% scale then it should fit no problem.

[@memedealer9417]

@@Techsas I got it to be significantly smaller than before but unfortunately it is still a tad bit too large as pictured here: imgur.com/a/jZwCP8k Do you have any other suggestions on how I could retain the round-edged rectangle when blacking out the glass?

[@Techsas]

@@memedealer9417 Not really... Just try a few open you photo editing program and make a few copies in different sizes until one fits. You can use pixlr.com

[@oscargoldman85]

Well, props for skills and craft, it would be better without the inverse LCD, in my humble opinion, and aslo, I am not really sure how long it would last, but you are a damn hero for doing that. :)

[@Techsas]

Thanks! I don't expect any of my mods to last long, just playing around. :)

[@pastelsofneptune]

I am proud of you, my dearest son.

[@Techsas]

Yes, me too

[@masononemine1702]

I just want an A158, with all steel, saphire glass and black and white text. That would so good. Amazing work tho, loved it.