I’m old enough to remember when Casio released the Baby-G in 1994. It was the watch to wear at the time, as Y2K fashion took the world by storm with its funky futuristic/pop aesthetic. I still have my white and rose gold Baby-G from high school tucked away in my watch box, and I suddenly feel the urge to strap it back onto my wrist as I write this. That unforgettable era is the inspiration for the new 30th anniversary Baby-G + Plus BGD10K, a playful digital watch with a removable center case and a separate Tamagotchi-esque holder. The option to swap the case from a charm to a wristwatch might not be something collectors need, but it’s fun and echoes the Baby-G’s enduring theme of individuality and innovation.

For anyone who might not be familiar with the history of Casio, the Baby-G is a sub-model of the G-Shock, the brand’s “unbreakable” watch released about a decade prior. It is shock-resistant like the original men’s collection, but with a more flattering case and what many would consider feminine design elements. For 2024, Casio has released the quirky Baby-G + Plus with an interchangeable design concept. The new drop includes four color options: pink watch/white holder, lilac watch/pink holder, navy watch/lilac holder, and white watch/yellow holder. The center cases for each variation are a different color to match the watch/holder combo.

First impressions: This watch is intended for a younger crowd, but that doesn’t mean I don’t envision it on the wrists of collectors of all ages. I could see the holder option strapped to a backpack, gym bag, and even a diaper bag. It’s quite handy now that I think about it, and Casio has developed the system to be relatively easy to execute without tools. The wristwatch has two parts: a slide-through strap and a bezel. Simply pull the strap off the watch and pop the bezel open to remove the center case. The case snaps into the back of the charm and is secured with a transparent cover. If dangling the holder from a purse or bag isn’t your vibe, I see a lot of potential in the wristwatch option. The different center cases (pink, white, yellow, and blue) could be swapped with other wristwatch colors to switch up the look, and at $79 each, buying more than one color would be affordable.

The new model appears to be an evolution of the current production Baby-G ref. BGD565, the square-shaped model without wire protectors embracing the case. It delivers the iconic Baby-G look with a similar square face and a digital display illuminated by an LED light. Like many Baby-G watches, the new BGD10K is powered by a CR1616 lithium battery that promises a battery life of up to three years. However, digital watches like these are usually sold with the same battery used for factory testing, and it might need to be replaced before the battery life window. It has a lot of functionality, including a world time with 29 time zones, a stopwatch function, a countdown timer, an alarm, and a full auto-calendar. The LCD on the top right corner of the watch face is another nod to the Tamagotchi toys everyone had hanging from their backpacks back in the day, displaying different pixelated animal animations. The good news, though, is you don’t have to keep them alive like a regular Tamagotchi. It appears to be a product of pure nostalgia.

The removable case design requires slightly bigger dimensions than the ref. BGD565, measuring 42.8mm x 39 mm and 14.7mm thick. I haven’t tried this watch on myself (my wrist measures 5.75”), but considering it measures smaller than my Baby-G ref. BG169G, I don’t expect anyone with small wrists to have much of a problem wearing the new Baby-G + Plus. The case and bracelet on the wristwatch component are made from lightweight resin, a trademark of the Baby-G collection, and the accompanying silicone holder features a looped strap and acrylic panels that Casio encourages customers to decorate with stickers.

While I don’t see myself personally swapping the case for the charm holder, I appreciate the concept and convenience of having one watch that can be worn in two different ways. Additionally, the new collection retails for $79 USD for each color variation, slightly less than the comparable BGD565. It’s an attractive value proposition for anyone looking for a Casio with a little more to offer than other models at this price point. The Casio Baby G + Plus BGD10K is available now for purchase. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.