Casio DBF-50W – Restoration

Casio DBF-50W – Restoration Story

Casio DBF-50W is a databank digital watch released around 1995, known for its unusual button layout and organizer-style functions. It was part of Casio’s mid-90s effort to make watches work like small pocket computers, with Telememo, Schedule Memo, World Time, and Personal Data all built into one device. Today, the model is rare, especially the white version that often turns yellow with age, which makes Casio DBF-50W – Restoration a common challenge for collectors.

I found my DBF-50W by chance on a local website. It had no battery, the case was dirty, and the resin was badly yellowed. Still, I knew it was worth saving. Restoring vintage Casios is about seeing potential where others see junk, and this watch was a perfect candidate for a second life 🛠️.

the initial condition

When I first inspected the Casio DBF-50W, here is what I found:

• Battery: missing, so the module was completely dead.
• Case: dirty, with clear signs of wear.
• Plastic: badly yellowed from age and sun exposure.
• Crystal: scratched and cloudy, hiding the LCD.
• Strap: not included, so the watch was unwearable.
• Parts: no missing buttons or springs, which made it a solid base for restoration.

Overall, the watch looked tired but complete. The yellowing and scratches were heavy, yet nothing was broken. That gave me confidence it could be brought back with some patience and the right tools 🔧.

Restoring Process

1. Whitening the plastic

The biggest issue was the yellowed case. I used Oxidant 12%, a hair-care product, as the active agent. I applied it evenly across the resin, wrapped the case in cling film, and left it in direct sunlight for a few hours. This method slowly reversed the discoloration and brought back the original gray tone.

2. Polishing the crystal

The acrylic crystal had deep scratches that made the LCD hard to read. I started wet-sanding with 600 grit sandpaper, then gradually moved up through 1000, 2000, and 2500 grits. After sanding, I applied Polywatch to remove fine marks and restore clarity.

3. Refinishing the case

After whitening, I gave the case a shine using a polishing paste—the same type used for car headlights or paint. It smoothed the surface and added a clean gloss.

4. Reassembly and replacements

I installed a fresh battery to power the module and fitted a new strap to make the watch wearable again. The strap is not dedicated to this model, but it fits well and keeps the DBF-50W practical for daily use.

What challenges came up during the restoration?

Dealing with yellowed plastic

The yellowing was the biggest eyesore. Normally, people reach for harsh bleaching methods, but those can damage the resin. Using Oxidant 12% with sunlight worked much better. It felt like giving the watch a spa day instead of a chemical burn 😅. The result was cleaner and safer for the plastic.

Crystal sanding

Working on the crystal always carries some risk. Go too hard with low-grit sandpaper and you can thin it out or make uneven spots. The trick was to stay patient, move gradually from 600 to 2500 grit, and keep everything wet.

Final Result

The transformation was worth the effort.

• Case: the resin returned to its original gray color after the whitening treatment. No more yellow tint, and it looked years younger.
• Crystal: polished clear, with scratches removed and the LCD fully visible again.
• Case finish: shiny and smooth thanks to the polishing paste, almost like it came straight from a Casio display stand in the 90s.
• Strap and battery: fresh replacements made the watch wearable and functional again.

When I powered it up, the databank functions worked perfectly. Seeing the display shine through a clear crystal after years of neglect was satisfying. For around $63 and three hours of work, the DBF-50W went from looking like a forgotten relic to a daily-wearable databank. Not bad for a watch that was one step away from being a drawer fossil 😅.