Pro Trek launches new PRJ-01 series: A three-hand full analog display with phosphorescent dial

Casio announced the all-new Pro Trek PRJ-01 series as part of its Hiker Line. Not to be confused with the similarly styled PRJ-B001, the PRJ-01 is a back-to-basics outdoor watch that offers solar power for maintenance-free operation. Smaller than the PRJ-B001 at 39.1 millimeters wide and 11.6 mm thin and more suitable for unisex use, the PRJ-01 offers a simple three-hand analog style, a fully phosphorescent dial on all three of the launch models, and a very light weight of 32 grams, replacing the PRJ-B001 as the lightest Pro Trek watch. (A standard G-Shock DW-5600 is 52 grams.)

Every PRJ-01 model has a glow-in-the-dark dial. Other Pro Trek models with a fully phosphorescent dial or LCD display include the PRW-61D-2, PRW-61LD-3, and PRW-35LD-5, and this is the first time we’ve seen it implemented across an entire series.

Rotating the bezel 45-degrees reveals the crown for time and date adjustments, and there are no buttons. That means there are no other functions other than the time and date display.

Despite the lack of functionality compared to other Pro Trek models, the PRJ-01 appears capable of doing its job as a simple outdoor watch very well, with a 100-meter water-resistance rating and a soft urethane band made of bio-based resin. This solar-powered watch does not have Tough Solar, which means (in modern times) that it does not have the power saving function that conserves power in dark environments, but it can run for 5 months on a full charge. There is a low-battery alert in the form of the second hand jumping two seconds instead of one. Another caveat is that the module 5548 is slightly less accurate than other Pro Trek and G-Shock modules, with ±20 seconds per month instead of the usual ±15.

The band passes completely through the case back, making it easy to remove and swap with other bands. (The compatible band size is 145 to 190 mm, which is the same as a GMA-P2100. The PRJ-B001 goes up to 215 mm.) The black PRJ-01-1 (with yellow case back) includes a black resin band and is the most affordable model. Along with a resin band, the white PRJ-01AE-7 (with orange case back) and gray PRJ-01AE-8 (with turquoise case back) each include a swappable carabiner clip that can be used to secure the watch to clothing or equipment.

In Japan, the prices are as follows: PRJ-01-1JF (¥25,300), PRJ-01AE-7JR (¥31,350), PRJ-01AE-8JR (¥31,350). The PRJ-01 will also be released throughout Asia, with prices to be announced.

The ¥25,300 price of the PRJ-01-1JF is the same price as PRJ-B001 models in Japan. We were hoping it would be less, considering that the PRJ-B001 offers many more functions, but the PRJ-B001 is larger and has only two hands with its analog-digital display. The PRJ-01 is the only current Pro Trek with a full analog display, so there’s that. (The PRJ-B001 series was also released in the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. price of the PRJB001B-2 was $180.)

View Pro Trek PRJ-01 Page at casio.com/intl (Asia Region)

Pro Trek PRJ-01-1:

Pro Trek PRJ-01AE-7:

Pro Trek PRJ-01AE-8: