Casio ALT-6000 – Restoration

The Casio ALT-6000 is one of Casio’s classic outdoor watches from the 1990s. It came with an altimeter and was part of the company’s early line of tool watches for hiking and mountain trips. Models like this were the foundation for later Pro Trek designs, which are still popular today.

The watch I found was in rough condition. The mineral glass was scratched, the module was not working, and the lettering on the bezel had faded. The strap was also missing. At first glance it didn’t look very promising, but I decided to take on the challenge.

Outdoor Casios like the ALT-6000 are becoming harder to find (especially with the working sensor), and I wanted to save this one for my collection. They represent an important step in Casio’s history when the brand was experimenting with adventure and survival features.

What was the condition of the watch at the start?

When the Casio ALT-6000 arrived, it had several issues:

• Scratched mineral glass – much harder to restore than acrylic.
• Broken module – the original electronics didn’t work.
• Faded bezel lettering – colors almost gone.
• Missing strap – watch could not be worn.
• Dirty case – years of grime on the resin and metal parts.

It was far from ready to wear, but the case was still solid. That was enough reason to try saving it.

How did the restoration process go?

Step 1: Cleaning the case

First, I gave the case a full clean. Warm water, soap, and a soft brush were enough to remove years of dirt. I made sure to also clean the pushers and the caseback edges where grime usually hides.

Step 2: Polishing the mineral glass

The glass on the ALT-6000 is mineral, not acrylic, which makes polishing harder. I used cerium oxide with a felt wheel and hand polishing. This removed many light scratches and improved clarity, but the deepest marks stayed. That is normal for mineral glass and one of the limitations when restoring these models 😫.

Step 3: Swapping the module

The original module was dead. I sourced a working replacement module and swapped it in. After the change, the watch powered up and all functions worked as they should.

Step 4: Strap replacement

I was lucky to find an original Casio strap for the ALT-6000 at a good price. It fits perfectly and makes the watch feel authentic again.

Step 5: Restoring the lettering

The bezel lettering was faded, so I decided to repaint it by hand. I mixed acrylic paints to match the original factory colors. It took patience, but the end result brought back the look of the watch.

The result of the restoration

After the work, the Casio ALT-6000 is fully functional again. The case is clean, the glass looks much clearer, and the new module works without any issues. The original strap gives it the right look, and the restored bezel lettering makes the watch stand out.

Not every scratch could be removed from the mineral glass, but that is part of the story with this model. For me, the important thing was to save the watch and keep it authentic.

I’m very happy to add the ALT-6000 to my collection. It shows a special time when Casio was building outdoor watches with unique tools like the altimeter. They don’t make them like this anymore. 👍⌚

👉 What do you think? Do you have any of Casio’s ALT or early Pro Trek models in your collection? Would you try restoring one, or keep it as-is?