Casio JP-10 is a digital wristwatch released around 1990, known for its experimental Pulse Converter feature. It used module 1185 and combined standard sports watch functions with a manual heart-rate calculator, representing Casio’s early step into wearable fitness technology.
The JP-10 belongs to Casio’s Jogger Pulse (JP) family — a short-lived but innovative line of watches focused on heart-rate measurement for runners and fitness enthusiasts. Unlike its siblings JP-100W (1987) and JP-200W (1992), which used built-in fingertip sensors, the JP-10 relied on a manual counting system operated by pressing the yellow COUNT button in rhythm with the user’s pulse.
This made it the most straightforward and rarest member of the JP series: a bridge between classic digital sports watches of the 1980s and Casio’s later sensor-based health designs. With its colorful accents, resin case, and signature yellow control button, the JP-10 captures the playful yet technical spirit of early-1990s Casio innovation.
Casio JP-10 – Quick Technical Data
| Field | Data |
|---|---|
| Model | Casio JP-10 |
| Module | 1185 |
| Family / Series | JP (Jogger Pulse) |
| Battery | CR2016 or CR1616 lithium cell (unconfirmed) |
| Manual | Not available online (Send me if you have any 😜) |
| Glass Type | Acrylic |
| Strap Part No. | 70636974 |
| Strap Size | Data unavailable (standard Casio sport fit) |
| Case Material | Resin |
| Water Resistance | 50 m |
| Functions | Time, Pulse Converter, Stopwatch, Alarm |
| Production Years | ca. 1990–1991 |
| Special Feature | Manual pulse counter with AEROBIC ZONE display (60–80% HRmax) |
What color versions of Casio JP-10 exist?
Two color variants of the Casio JP-10 are known, both produced in limited quantities around 1990–1991. They share the same module (1185) and case design, differing only in color accents and button finishes. Both versions are considered rare, as complete working examples appear only occasionally in collector auctions or online marketplaces.
Casio JP-10 Grey / Blue Version
This version features a dark grey resin case and strap, accented by a blue ring around the display and a grey COUNT button.
It has a more technical and understated look compared to the brighter variant, likely intended as the “standard” edition for general users.
Despite the subdued tones, the blue highlights around the dial maintain the sporty character typical of early-1990s Casio fitness designs.
Casio JP-10 Yellow / Turquoise Version
This version stands out with a black resin case, yellow COUNT button, and turquoise side buttons.
It presents a more vibrant and energetic identity, reflecting Casio’s playful color styling of the early 90s.
The bright accents also made the buttons easier to locate during exercise, reinforcing its role as a functional training companion for runners and fitness enthusiasts.
Features & Functions of Casio JP-10
The Casio JP-10 was designed as a compact sports companion for runners and fitness enthusiasts. It combined standard digital watch functions with an experimental Pulse Converter system that allowed users to manually calculate their heart rate.
Main Functions of Casio JP-10
- Timekeeping: 12/24-hour format with hours, minutes, seconds, and date display.
- Stopwatch: Measures elapsed and split times, useful for lap training.
- Daily Alarm: Simple programmable alarm with hourly time signal.
- Pulse Converter: Manual heart rate measurement mode.
- The user places two fingers on the wrist or neck to feel the pulse.
- Each heartbeat is counted by pressing the yellow COUNT button.
- After several beats, the watch converts the count into BPM (beats per minute) and shows the result on-screen.
- A graphic scale labeled AEROBIC ZONE (60–80% HRmax) indicates whether the heart rate is within the optimal exercise range.
- Personal HR Setup: Age or HRmax value can be entered for more accurate feedback.
- Water Resistance: 50 m — safe for light swimming and sports use.
How the Pulse Converter in Casio JP-10 Worked?
Unlike later models with built-in sensors, the JP-10 relied on manual counting. This made the reading process slower but also unique: it was Casio’s first attempt to connect timekeeping with physical activity tracking. The system reflected a transition from simple digital watches toward early “fitness computers,” years before heart-rate sensors became standard.
JP-10 Usability Today
Even after decades, the JP-10 remains fully functional when properly serviced. Its module 1185 is simple and robust, though the COUNT button contacts can oxidize over time. The display is clear and minimal, with large digits for BPM and a clean layout for quick reference during training.
Collectors often enjoy demonstrating the Pulse Converter at meetups — a charming reminder of how Casio mixed science, sport, and imagination in one small watch.
Collectibility & Quirks of Casio JP-10
The Casio JP-10 is considered a rare and little-documented model within the Jogger Pulse family. It appears only occasionally on auction sites or collector markets, and detailed information about it is limited — even the official manual (module 1185) has not been found online.
Its rarity is partly explained by its unusual manual pulse-counting system, which required the user to press the COUNT button with every heartbeat. While this method was creative, it made the watch less convenient than the later JP-100W and JP-200W, which featured automatic fingertip pulse sensors. These successors gained more popularity and effectively replaced the JP-10 in Casio’s lineup.
Because of that, the JP-10 became more of a collector’s curiosity — a transitional experiment between classic Casio sport watches and the brand’s early health-monitoring designs. Today, working examples are valued by enthusiasts who appreciate its simplicity, unique function, and distinctive late-80s aesthetic.
Casio JP-10 Manual
The original Casio JP-10 (Module 1185) manual is not available online. So far, no confirmed scans or PDFs have surfaced in collector archives or Casio’s official documentation lists.
If you own a printed manual, scan, or catalog page featuring the JP-10, please consider sharing it with the community. It would help complete the historical record for this rare model and support other collectors restoring or researching it.
You can reach out via 📧 vintagecasiorestore@gmail.com or through Instagram @vintage.casio.restore.
Additional Information & Related Models
The Casio JP-10 belongs to Casio’s Jogger Pulse (JP) family — a line of fitness-oriented digital watches developed between the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Unlike the earlier JP-100W (1987), which already featured a fingertip pulse sensor, the JP-10 took a simpler approach by using a manual Pulse Converter. This design made it more affordable and durable but also less popular among users seeking fully automatic readings.
Later, Casio returned to sensor technology with the JP-200W (1992), which refined the fingertip system, added a bright EL backlight, and introduced more colorful and modern styling.
Together, the JP-100W, JP-10, and JP-200W form a small but fascinating chapter in Casio’s fitness watch history.
The JP-10 stands out as a parallel experiment — a manual, minimalistic version that bridged traditional digital sports design with Casio’s health-tracking ambitions.
FAQ – Casio JP-10
What is the Casio JP-10?
Casio JP-10 is a digital fitness watch from around 1990, part of the Jogger Pulse (JP) family.
It features a manual Pulse Converter that allows users to measure their heart rate by pressing the COUNT button in rhythm with their pulse.
How does the Pulse Converter work on the Casio JP-10?
You press the yellow COUNT button each time you feel your heartbeat. After several beats, the watch calculates your BPM (beats per minute) and shows if it falls within the AEROBIC ZONE (60–80% HRmax). The system is fully manual, with no built-in sensor like in the JP-100W or JP-200W.
What battery does Casio JP-10 use?
The Casio JP-10 uses a single lithium coin cell, most likely CR2016 or CR1616. Exact confirmation is difficult because the official Module 1185 manual is missing, but both types fit the case and were common in early-1990s Casio sports models. Battery life is estimated at around five years with normal use.
Is the Casio JP-10 rare?
Yes. The JP-10 is a rare model within the Jogger Pulse line. It appears only occasionally on auctions and is hard to find in full working condition with its original strap or packaging.
Why is there so little information about Casio JP-10 online?
The JP-10 was less popular than its sensor-equipped siblings, the JP-100W and JP-200W.
It sold in smaller quantities, and the original manual (Module 1185) has never been released online — which makes it one of the least-documented Casio models from that period.
Are straps from other JP models compatible with the Casio JP-10?
Not directly. The original strap part number is 70636974, and its fit differs from JP-100W and JP-200W versions.
Some modern Casio sport straps can be adapted, but original replacements are rare.
What makes the Casio JP-10 interesting for collectors?
Collectors appreciate the JP-10 for its experimental design and early-90s aesthetic. It represents a transitional moment in Casio’s evolution — bridging classic digital sport watches and the first health-oriented models. Its big yellow COUNT button and minimalist LCD layout make it instantly recognizable among vintage Casio fans.
Sources & Inspirations
Information for this entry was compiled from verified collector discussions, archived listings, and hands-on observations of existing Casio JP-10 units.
Because the original Module 1185 manual is not available, some details (like the exact battery reference) are based on comparisons with related models from the same era.
Main references and inspirations:
- Private collector archives and module photos (Japan & Poland)
- Past auction listings on Yahoo! Japan and eBay (1989–2024)
- Community discussions on r/CasioVintage and Watchuseek forums
- Casio JP-100W and JP-200W manuals and catalog materials for cross-reference
- Restoration and documentation work by Vintage Casio Restore (casiorestore.com)
If you own official documentation, catalog scans, or original packaging for the Casio JP-10, please share it — every small detail helps preserve the history of these early Casio fitness experiments.
📧 vintagecasiorestore@gmail.com
📸 Instagram @vintage.casio.restore
Daniel is the person behind Vintage Casio Restore, a project dedicated to restoring and documenting vintage Casio digital watches from the 80s and 90s. Based in Poland, he combines technical precision with a passion for retro design, bringing forgotten models back to life and sharing their stories online.
Outside the workshop, Daniel works in a digital agency, managing SEO and content strategy for technology clients, blending his professional experience with his love for classic tech and design.
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