CASIO F100: THE MOST IMPORTANT WATCH YOU’VE (kind of) NEVER HEAR OF
Watch spotting has been a time honored tradition amongst our ranks, and for this Saturday’s feature post I’m combining two of my favorite things: Watches and Movies. I’ve been accused of being a walking version of Wikipedia so I'm gonna use that to my advantage.
Every once in a while I want to highlight some watches that have graced the silver screen. As a filmmaker and long time movie buff, one piece that stood out to me for a first movie watch post is the modified Casio F100’s that were worn by the crew of the Nostromo in the 1979 film Alien Dir. by Ridley Scott.
THE WATCH:
The F-100 is a little bit of a sleeper piece of history, though widely known for it's role in the film, it plays a pivotal role in the greater world of watch manufacturing. As the first ever impact resistant resin case watch, the F-100 paved the way for a long line of durable duty grade watches that have seen action on battle fields across the globe. Without the F-100 we don't get our beloved G-Shock. Featuring its (frankly should be more iconic) Darth Vader button controls below the LCD display, it’s beautiful Cassette Sci-Fi style is indicative of the emerging digital watch tradition of the era.
THE APPEARANCE:
Released in 1978, the F-100 is just in time for the props-masters on Alien to snap it up for the standard issue wrist communicator for employees of the Weyland-Yutani corporation in the far reaches of space.
Usually, film watch spotting is about an exact model showing up, chosen by the wardrobe dept to suit the character in the film. This spot is unique in that it's an exact model that was modified to make a bespoke prop for the film. The 70s and 80s were a hey day for practical effects heavy Sci-fi films that had that grungy, lived in feel to the production design which contrasted from the sleek and light hearted space films of the 60s and 60s.
PROP FABRICATION:
In the days before personal 3D printers and CNC machines, prop-makers of the era had to rely on a technique called “kitbashing.” Developed for building spaceship miniatures but quickly trickling down across the prop making process, the method is where a fabricator would take various pieces and “kit bash” them together to make a new industrial looking sci-fi prop, and that exactly what we are looking at with the prop that shows up in the film.
The prop makers took two F-100s and linked them head to head on an orange protective back cover, then attached the OEM resin strap on either end of the double watch, given the sense of it being a more complex, futuristic wrist computer design. I’ve attached some photo examples of a modern cosplay prop that can be found on Ebay using the A100 which is Casio’s modern homage to the F-100. (see image below)
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Casio F-100 is a hallmark of the practical, durable legacy that has come to be inseparable from the brand. It's an amazing stepping stone piece of history both for the watch and film community. I would love to see a new F-100 Alien special addition come out from Casio one of these days, and with Alien: Romulus breathing new life into the franchise, who’s to say that Casio won’t do the same?
-Will
