• Casio TS-100 [815] World Time Thermometer
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  So after showing one from the 70's and one from the 80's, I thought it would be nice to show one from the 90's. (Well... It was introduced in 1989 but it was made well into the 90's!)
  
  The TS-100 World Time Thermometer with module 815.
  
  
  
  This is the watch that started it all for me. This watch is the reason I got into collecting and, by extension, the reason this site exists. in the early 90's, my dad bought me the Japanese version of this watch (the TS-150) at the Japanese international airport during a layover. I wore it with fondness for a decade, until I started to neglect it... and then lost it! I didn't think it would be hard to find when I started looking for it again, but soon realized that it was a "collector's item." Huh? How can it be a collectors item? People collect these??
  
  And the rest is... history.
  
  Anyway, back to the watch.
  
  This is a very popular watch, as I have frequently seen them sought in request/wanted topics on forums, and eBay sales almost always sell well with multiple bidders. I was very lucky to get this one for less than $50, because it's in very good condition with the lettering mostly intact. Finding a TS-100 with all its lettering intact is super rare, so if you ever find one jump on the chance.
  
  So what's the deal with this watch? I think it's popular because the feature list is virtually endless. It is a very capable watch with all the essentials, like 100M water resistance and microlight. But there is a looot more under the hood here. Just look at the dial, CHOCK FULL of information. I'll guide you through the basics.
  
  First of all, the "thermometer."
  
  
  
  This watch can display temp in °F and °C, while its Japanese-version only shows temp in °C. You can turn on its "wrist" feature to make the watch compensate for your body temperature. (The tiny wristwatch icon depicts this feature.) The feature works okay, just don't expect to measure temperature very accurately when you're wearing this watch on your skin or under your clothes. The watch will update the temp display every 2 minutes. If you want the temp display to read faster, here's a trick: turn the "wrist" mode on and off. This will force the watch to re-take its temp reading.
  
  There are many Casio watches with a built-in temperature sensor, but in my opinion the new ones are not designed as well as these vintage models. In modern Casio watches, the temp sensor is a small chip package mounted directly on the circuitboard. This makes the sensor measure the core temp of the watch. In the old watches, the temp sensor is mounted on lead wires and extend to the outer casing. In the case of this TS-100, the temp sensor lies directly under that silver colored circular thing in the middle. Yes, that volcanic thing actually serves a purpose!
  
  *A note on watch thermometers: The temp sensor on the TS-100 can not tolerate boiling water. Do not immerse this watch in boiling water, or subject it to extreme temperature conditions, like a match or something like that. I know it's tempting, but don't do it! Besides, according to the manual, the watch can only display temps between 14°F and 140°F. If the temp is outside that range, it will just show up as --°F
  
  
  Now for the "world time."
  
  
  
  Not only does the watch serve world time, it shows it on a MAP! I think that little green world map makes this watch very unique. There are a few Casio watches with world maps on its face, but none with this exact setup. And none of them have a built-in thermometer!
  
  
  
  As a "world time thermometer" watch, there is yet another feature that sets this world time mode unique. It displays the monthly average hi and low temperature of the destination city. Looks like Moscow is very cold this time of year. brrrr.
  
  And it records the temperature every hour, logging it for 24 hours. Why is this feature called "LOC?" My best guess is that LOC stands for local temperature. But I'm not sure.
  
  
  
  And it has an hourly signal and FIVE.. yes FIVE! daily alarms.
  
  
  
  Plus a 23:59:59 timer. The timer is unique as well; it allows you to set the timer in second increments, whereas most watches limits the smallest setting to 1 minute. This may be a minor advantage to some, but I am constantly timing things for 30 seconds and this watch makes it a snap.
  
  
  
  Plus stopwatch! The stopwatch display will show you the hours digit if you press the "adjust" button. Wow how many features is that?... I lost count!
  
  
  
  And I love these large round buttons. Mmm. buttons...
  
  
  
  And one last look at this beautiful, truly multi-functional watch.
  
  
  
  By the way, one odd thing about this watch is that uses a 17mm watch band. Most watches use 16/18/19/20 mm bands, so finding a replacement band for this watch is difficult. Very difficult. (As of this article, there are several available on eBay. Get them while you can!)
  
  Casio also made the TS-150, which is a Celsius-only version.
  
  *If you are looking for a modern watch with similar functionality, check out Casio's AQF-100 series watch. It's loaded with features!
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  Filed under: watch

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