Wanted: Extra Long watchband for Casio WS220-1AV Solar Watch

[Outback in Idaho]

Picked up an affordable Casio WS220-1AV solar watch over at Walmart for $35. There are creature comforts I'd like on-board too, but the price also increases to the point where it is not affordable. (i.e. EL backlighting, alarms, sensors). This one has the basics covered.



Am wearing the watch on the last notch, and even made an extra slot - but that also means no extra end for security. Since my wrists are 8.5 inch (left) and 9 inch (right) I require an extra long watchband. Trying to find one is another story...


Looks to be a 14 mm or 15 mm lug.

Used to be able to find cheap leather wide band watchbands in the mid-80's but not anymore. Would even settle for a simple nylon band if it was long enough. Yet am not finding any shops here in the USA that sell any. So am wondering of there are any others with superior knowledge of these things on the forum.

[Zed]

You can get a casio adapter so you can fit a nato or velcro strap as these are longer ,there is a site that does adapters but i forget what one plus i think there 16mm so might need to mod them.

[lowtech]

Here is an AE 2000 on Countycomm/Westcoasttime Adaptors, for reference.

[Zed]

There the babies thomas   

[Outback in Idaho]

Thank you gentlemen. 

Now to find a reputable US dealer/retailer.

[lowtech]

You are welcome.

I´ve heard good things about Countycomm (no first hand experience, they do not ship to my neck of teh woods).
Westcoasttime has been a reliable supplier to me, they run an eBay shop of that name AFAIK.
They do supplie teh straps and adaptors.
As an US Citizen, you can try Casiosalesandservice, afaik the adaptors are cheaper there - but you need to know what model they do come on from Casio. If you want to go that route, get back to us and I´ll see if i can find a model number for you.

[Outback in Idaho]

Casio's support is beyond stupid. 

Started on Casio's support site.
CATEGORY-|Watches- Gshock/BabyG|E|
MODEL-|WS220-1AV|E|
MARKETING-|du|E|
MESSAGE-|
  Bought this watch last month and it barely fits, only wearable
on the very last notch. When my wrists swells from use the band is too tight and I ended up adding another slit into the area where the last of the tab is.

  Even your more expensive watches had the same problem, but most were metal and I opted for the only other choice - a solar watch with a resin band.

  Have an 8.5 to 9 inch wrist, and the supplied watchband is too small.

  I seriously need am extra-long watchband. Where can I get one?

Thank you for taking the time to contact Casio.

All of our watches with a rubber/resin band are standard 8 inches.
Unfortunately we do not have a watch with a longer band.

The only options we have for larger bands are metal bands, which you could add links to.

I apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you
Erika

My reply:

Hello,
     Which metal band would you then recommend for the solar watch, and where can I get more metal links?
     One would of thought a resin band could come in virtually any length since it is a man made material.
            Read on a forum that Casio has watchband adapters for their watches to use with other bands, like a NATO watchband. Any clues on how to purchase a watchband adapter for a third-party watchband then?

Every case of each watch is made specifically for the band the watch comes with. Unfortunately we will not have a metal band that you could  adapt to the current watch you have. You will have to buy a watch with a metal band.

Also we are not aware of any adapters, and do not know how or where you could purchase such adapters.

Thank you
Erika

  Know for a fact there are metal bands for watches like mine, made by Casio. So if I bought one with a metal band I would have to ask again where to get more links. And I suppose she would say I would have to buy another watch. Think I'm going to respond with that. 

Okay, for kicks, am replying with:

Hello Again,

    If I wanted a Casio metal watch band you are saying I would have to buy a Casio watch with a metal band.

    Okay, so let's say i go down to the store to purchase another Casio watch, this time with a metal band. And the band doesn't fit, where do I get more links?
    Would I have to purchase yet another watch with the same metal band?

  Perplexed.

[tattoosteve99]

Answer= watchuseek forums

[Outback in Idaho]

Was looking over at MARATAC Watch Straps.

Not sure if having a bug (or not) makes it more confusing, but it says it will not fit this or that and to check the fit. Okay, what the smurf, how the smurf can you check the fit online?

Don't want to pay any more than I have to for a watchband as the adapter & band will cost more than the watch did. But how about them saying WHAT WILL WORK with it? Would MAKE MORE SMURFIN' SENSE.

Figure that if a retailer cannot make things clear then they obviously don't need my business. Stupidity of technical support, lack of email response from an etailer, and lousy notes does not impress me.


If I knew what NATO (with squared rings) bands was friendly with the adapter to get would have probably done ordered one already.


Note: Sent a 2nd email to WestCoasTime.

[lowtech]

Can you please take off the straps of your watch and measure the exact width between the lugs and make a pic of the Lug area? I´ll try to find a Casio case with similar case and do a test fit with the adaptors.

BTW, Casio straps come in different lengths, so maybe you could measure bothj ends, too and tell us the length and I´ll have a look.

I did some Casio (especially G-shock) Modding. I am too lazy to post pics now, but maybe you wanna check soem of my Photobucket pics (username there is mattschwarz)

[Outback in Idaho]

Taking the bands off, no problem. Putting them back on though, aggravating. 

Length of band and with lug holes: 5  1/2"
Length of buckled end: 3  5/8"

Wearing the watch



Band on the watch



Ruler over case



Inner Band



Outer Band

[Outback in Idaho]

Casio information for the Tough Solar WS220-1AV, since I see the link was bad. The Manual (PDF)

Size of case/total weight
WS220 51.7 x 49.8 x 14.6mm / 46g ~ So the case is just under 15mm and would require some modification to the adapter, which should not be a problem.


Am starting to hate this watch. PITA trying to get the pins to line up.
Timex aren't this bad as Casio. Timex does not to cram everything in a tight corner space, usually plenty of room to move the pins.
So close to taking this one back and say smurf it. Trying to get the pins back in with a tiny screwdriver just chews up the resin case. Don't want more expenses requiring a special pin tool. Just wanted a watchband that fit.

$35 for watch. $36 for band. $71??? 
  $17 for adapter, $19 for watchband (minus shipping).

[lowtech]

The trouble with Casio is that they often use straps that are molded to follow teh contour of the case and have strange lug widths.

I have made good experiences with a Vic can opener to reset the pins, i`ll happily admit it´s easier with a Puin tool, but the vic has a thin blade ahich helps and teh edges are polished so they don´t scratch the case so easily.

As i a m a Casio Fan, I´d like to prove you that they are nice watches.

I do have a set of Adaptors from a fake G-shock.
They are of a rather strange translucent blue. I´ll trim them down to 14 mm and send them to you in an envelope together with a used, rather cheaply made Nato strap.

I scrambled in my spares box and found a little pin-tool, too that once came with a set of straps.

You decide if you like teh watch with that strap, if you do, you can shell out the money for Countycomm Adaptors and a decent strap, knowing that you will like it.

If you don´t you`re only out of a stamp. And if you are not satisfied, maybe we can swap watches and i can provide you with a watch betetr fitting your wrist.

Interested? PM me.

Only thing i ask is that you share your experience and maybe a pic or two with us.

[lowtech]

..on an afterthought:

The Casio WS 210 is a Casio i own (and modded...). It will accept teh Adaptors easily as it has 18 mm lugs.

Looks like this:



It has a sister model (WS-200) which seems to have the same functions (except the 5th light button) than the WS 220.

If i find the time, I´ll slap some adaptors on and make a quick pic.

[Outback in Idaho]

On a normal day I would not be so aggravated. Just that I got a bug.
Our cat has a pre-warning cognition ability that detects an imminent fit of incoming aggravation. He has that ability and it aggravates me knowing it is going to occur. Yet I hate to leave stuff undone.
Should know by now not to take things apart when I'm not feeling good. One would also think by now I would see the cat's warning signs and put off whatever project am doing for a while longer. 

[Outback in Idaho]

Casio ended up giving me a phone number. As to the acclaimed adapters for $2 + $9 shipping ... not sure it is worth it not knowing if they would work.

WestCoasTime & CountryComm neither one have replied to my emails. Did get a reply from a UK store who said they were unable to help with the product - guess they meant the watch.

Had been looking at the cheap watches hoping to find a velcro watchband with an elastic watch holder for the mean time, but sadly having an 8.5 in wrists makes me wonder if I'm a freak. Like no one else in the world with large wrists deserves to wear a watch or something.

Tempted to cut the straps on this band and sew them down on top of another band. Not sure if that is possible, or if I should use heavy furniture staples to use as binders to another watchband.
Like an overlay, using my OEM band as the keeper, and use four metal rings to bind the band to another. Should work, yes, no, maybe?

[lowtech]

As said before, If you wanna try Adaptors, I´ll send you some cheapos to test if you want to spend the Money on Casio ones.

PM me your Address and be a little patient.

[lowtech]

The PM system says you are blocking PMs from me?
If you Paypal me 1,45 € for the stamp ,i´m fine.
If you upgrade to the next letter weight class (3,45 €) I´ll add a Spartan (i read you are looking for a first SAK to test) 

Paypal is westphal-koeln@netcologne.de

[Outback in Idaho]

The PM system says you are blocking PMs from me?
If you Paypal me 1,45 € for the stamp ,i´m fine.
If you upgrade to the next letter weight class (3,45 €) I´ll add a Spartan (i read you are looking for a first SAK to test) 

Paypal is westphal-koeln@netcologne.de

Okay, it was set for admins only. Was an issue a couple years ago from two characters here. I must have forgotten to change it back. Sorry about that. Now to figure the conversion.