Every restoration has its own story. This one began with a message from Michal, one of my followers. He asked if I could bring back to life his family’s Casio STR-1000, a watch that had been with them for almost 30 years. He wanted to restore it as a gift for his mom — a simple idea, but full of meaning.
The Casio STR-1000 is a Speed Trainer, made for P.E. teachers and runners in the late 80s. It was designed to measure training times and laps, a kind of professional stopwatch on the wrist. Back then it was real gear for coaches, not just another sports watch.
When the watch arrived, I could see it had lived a long life. The module was still working perfectly, but the rest showed years of use: worn paint, dull resin surface, and buttons stuck with dirt.
It was a perfect candidate for a visual restoration — a project focused on cleaning, repainting, and bringing back the sharp factory look from the late 80s.
What was the initial condition of the watch?
The Casio STR-1000 came in fully working condition. The display was bright and the module reacted instantly. That was great news because I could focus fully on the visual side.
The problems started with the case. The resin body had many scratches and shiny spots. Years of use removed the original matte texture. The painted text was almost gone, especially on the front bezel. Some letters were still deep enough to repaint, but others were too worn to save.
The buttons were heavy and slow. Inside, they were packed with old dirt and dust. You could feel the resistance when pressing them. It was clear they needed a full clean and rebuild.
The case back had fine scratches and oxidation marks. The crystal looked cloudy under the light and had a few deeper marks in the center area. The strap was already replaced long ago and didn’t match the original design.
Restoration Process
1. Disassembly and cleaning
I started by removing the case back, module, and all buttons. Each button had a lot of compacted dirt inside. I cleaned them one by one using isopropyl alcohol and a small brush. The goal was to make every button move freely again and click with the same feel as new.
The case was washed in warm soapy water and gently brushed around all corners and gaps. Old dust and grime were removed from the inside edges, around the lugs, and under the bezel area.
2. Case surface restoration
The resin case had deep scratches and shiny worn areas. I used fine sandpaper, starting from 800 to 2000 grit, to even the surface. After that, I re-created the original matte texture using a light sanding pad. This gave the case the correct factory finish — not glossy, but soft and uniform.
The case back was polished using metal polish and a soft cloth. Scratches and small oxidation marks disappeared. The stainless steel surface became clean and reflective again.
3. Repainting the details
The white text on the front bezel was almost gone. I used a fine brush and enamel paint to fill in the engraved letters. Some of them were too shallow to restore completely, but the overall look became much clearer and closer to the original.
This part always takes patience. The paint has to be applied slowly and wiped gently before it dries. It’s one of those quiet moments in restoration that feels almost meditative 😅.
4. Crystal and finishing work
The crystal had haze and small scratches. I polished it using Polywatch and a microfiber cloth, repeating several cycles until the surface became clear and smooth.
After cleaning, I reassembled the watch with all buttons freshly oiled and responsive. A new strap replaced the old one, matching the sporty look of the STR-1000.
5. Final check
At the end, I tested all functions. The stopwatch, alarm, and display worked perfectly. The buttons clicked fast and clean. The case looked sharp, the paint fresh, and the texture correct.
This was a visual restoration, but the difference was huge. From a tired family watch to a bright piece of 80s design again.
Result
After the work was done, the Casio STR-1000 looked completely different. The case had its soft matte surface again, the polished case back reflected light like new, and the freshly repainted text gave it that classic late-80s look.
The buttons felt light and snappy, just like they should. The display was clean and clear. The new strap completed the look and made the watch ready to wear again.
The best part was seeing it return to its original shape without losing its history. Some marks stayed on purpose, small reminders of time and use. That balance between new and old always feels right to me.
Closing thoughts
Every restoration like this reminds me why I started Vintage Casio Restore. These watches are simple, honest, and made to last. Each project connects people, stories, and time — all through a small digital screen.
Have you ever restored watch or found an old Casio with memories behind it?
Share your story below. I always enjoy reading them 👍
Passionate about Casio’s golden-era digital watches. At Vintage Casio Restore, I bring old models back to life and share practical guides for collectors and enthusiasts.
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