# Square Metal-Strap Watches Casio Gives Its W-221 Digital Watch A Stainless Steel Bracelet Upgrade By Ellen Smith | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-10-29 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/square-metal-strap-watches References: [notebookcheck.net](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Casio-releasing-new-affordable-square-digital-watch-with-metal-strap.1435211.0.html)  Casio's W-221HD-1A turns its square digital watch into a dressier everyday option by replacing the older resin band with a matching stainless steel strap. The watch keeps the line's silver-toned resin case, giving wearers a more jewelry-like finish without changing the familiar digital format. Its display still handles time across 48 cities, which makes it useful for people who switch time zones, and the 50 m water resistance keeps it practical for daily wear. Casio has the model listed in Thailand at ฿2,900, but it is not yet available to buy there and there is no launch timing for the US. At ฿2,900, the metal-band shift pushes a basic digital watch closer to jewelry styling without leaving the affordable tier. If Casio expands beyond Thailand, the added bracelet widens the W-221 line for buyers who like the square display but want something less casual. Image Credit: Casio ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 9.2/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 100% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/watches) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Affordable Dress Digital:** Budget digital watches are gaining more polished finishes, creating room for brands to bridge everyday utility with jewelry-inspired styling. - **Retro Format Premiumization:** Familiar square displays and legacy silhouettes are being refreshed with upgraded materials that make low-cost heritage designs feel newly relevant. - **Travel-ready Everyday Wear:** Compact accessories with multi-city time functions and daily durability reflect demand for simple products that support mobile lifestyles without smartwatch complexity. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Consumer Electronics:** Digital watch makers can extend mature product lines by pairing proven functionality with design-led material upgrades. - **Fashion Accessories:** Stainless steel straps and metallic finishes position practical timepieces closer to affordable jewelry, expanding crossover appeal for style-conscious buyers. - **Travel Retail:** Globally useful features such as world time and water resistance make accessible watches well suited to consumers seeking practical purchases across regional markets. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Retro Smart Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casio-fb100w.md) - [Structural Metal-Made Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casio-gsteel-modern-industrial-series.md) - [Stretchable Watch Band Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gshock-5600.md) - [Octagonal Hybrid Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/octagonal-hybrid-watches.md) - [Vintage Retro Futurism Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casio-aq240e3a.md) - [Metallic All-Analog Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gshock-gsteel-gstb1000.md) - [Digital Steel Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a1000dn7.md) - [Studded Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/t80.md) - [Fabric-Strap Dive Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fabric-strap-dive-watches.md)