Casio CMD-10 – Technical Data & Model Information

Casio CMD-10 is a digital wristwatch released in the early 1990s, best known for its built-in infrared remote control. It used module 1028 and combined normal timekeeping functions like alarm and stopwatch with the ability to operate TVs and VCRs. As one of Casio’s first remote-controller watches, it marked the beginning of the CMD line, later followed by successors such as the CMD-20, CMD-30, and CMD-40, which expanded on the concept through the rest of the decade.

Casio CMD-10 – Quick Technical Data

Field	Data
Model	Casio CMD-10 (and CMD-10B variant)
Module	1028
Battery	CR2032
Manual	Casio CMD-10 Manual (PDF)
Glass Type	Acrylic
Strap Size	18 mm (lug) / 23 mm (case)
Case Material	Resin (matte plastic finish)
Functions	Digital timekeeping, alarm, hourly time signal, stopwatch, TV/VCR infrared remote control
Production Years	Early 1990s (around 1993)
Water Resistance	None

What color versions of Casio CMD-10 exist?

Casio CMD-10 was released in two color versions: a standard black model and a rarer white model.

• Black Version
  Matte black resin case with grey keypad and a green-highlighted “Power” button. This was the standard release and is the most common CMD-10 found today.

• White Version
  White resin case with colorful accents (yellow, blue, red). This version is much rarer and highly sought after by collectors. The plastic Casio used tends to age into a cream tone, so many surviving examples look yellowed. A pristine white CMD-10 is a true gem.

👉 Collector note: The white CMD-10 is one of the most desirable “remote watches” in Casio’s lineup. Restorers often try to reverse the yellowing process using whitening techniques similar to those described in the Casio DBF-50W and TS-200 restorations.

What are the main features and functions of Casio CMD-10?

Casio CMD-10 combines standard digital watch functions with a full infrared remote control for TVs and VCRs.

Remote Control Functions

• Works with TVs, cable boxes, and VCRs.
• Functions: Power, channel up/down, volume, play, stop, rewind, fast forward.
• TV/Video modes selectable on the display.
• Manufacturer codes (Sony, Panasonic, JVC, etc.) are programmed by cycling through stored IR codes until the device responds.
• Signal emitter located above the display.

Timekeeping Features

• Normal time display with hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date.
• 12/24 hour formats.
• Daily alarm and hourly time signal.
• Stopwatch with split-time and dual-finish recording.
• Time and date setting with manual leap-year adjustment (no auto-calendar).

Strap and Case Details – How easy is it to maintain Casio CMD-10 today?

Maintaining the Casio CMD-10 is possible, but age-related issues with resin and straps make it tricky.

• Strap size: 18 mm at the lugs, 23 mm at the case.
• Original straps: Some came with plain resin, others with “Wrist Remote Controller” text. Originals are very hard to find today.
• Compatibility: Any 18 mm strap will fit, so collectors often use generic Casio resin straps or high-quality replacements.
• Case material: Matte plastic resin, prone to scratches and discoloration. The white version tends to yellow heavily with age.
• Weak points:
  • Lugs can crack if straps are forced.
  • Screw threads are plastic, so screws must only be tightened lightly (“finger tight”).
  • Back sticker wears off quickly with sweat, so intact stickers are a sign of minimal use.

Collectibility & Quirks of Casio CMD-10

Casio CMD-10 is considered one of the most iconic novelty watches of the early 1990s. Collectors value it for its quirky IR functions and strong connection to 90s pop culture.

• Rarity: The black version is common on the market, while the white version is rare and highly collectible. Pristine white examples are especially sought after.
• Market value:
  • Used examples: around $120.
  • Good vintage condition: $150–250.
  • NOS white variant: up to $550 in collector listings.
• Weak points:
  • Green paint on the Power button fades quickly.
  • Resin case and straps age poorly (yellowing, cracking).
  • Plastic screw threads strip easily.
• Packaging variants:
  • Narrow blister pack: Tall, slim packaging with a clear plastic window, designed for hanging racks.
  • Wide cardboard display box: Blue with “Wrist Remote Controller” branding and baseball graphics. Often seen in both sealed retail boxes and open counter displays.

👉 Collector note: Packaging adds a big premium to value. The blister pack is fragile and rarely survives in good condition, while the wide display box is sturdier and more collectible today.

Cultural & Nostalgic Legacy

Casio CMD-10 became a true 1990s gadget icon. Collectors remember it most for the fun and mischief it created.

• School stories: Many schools banned the watch. Kids used it to switch TVs on and off during lessons, making teachers think the sets were broken.
• Public pranks: Owners used the CMD-10 in malls, bars, airports, and waiting rooms. Changing channels during sports games or muting airport screens was a classic trick.
• 90s gadget feel: For many it felt like a secret agent tool, a small James Bond gadget on the wrist. Others compare it to Ben 10’s Omnitrix or props from 80s action movies.
• Still works (sometimes): Collectors report success even today with some Panasonic, Sony, Hisense, and Haier TVs. Compatibility is hit or miss, but when it works the effect is still magical.

👉 This mix of practical use and playful mischief made the CMD-10 one of the most memorable novelty watches in Casio’s history.

Casio CMD-10 Manual

👉 Download the official Casio CMD-10 manual (PDF)

This manual includes full setup instructions, timekeeping functions, and detailed programming steps for the TV/VCR infrared remote.

Additional Information & Related Models

The Casio CMD-10 marked the beginning of Casio’s Wrist Remote Controller family in the early 1990s. It was soon followed by several successors that refined the concept:

• CMD-10 – The very first Casio remote-control watch, rare and hard to find today.
• CMD-20 – A slightly updated version with a revised case design.
• CMD-30 / CMD-30B – Added more ergonomic layouts and was widely exported, especially in the U.S.
• CMD-40 – Later evolution with a sleeker case and more IR functions.
• CMD-50 – The final version, Japan-only release, with colorful memory keys and no calculator.

All of these watches used the same principle: combining standard Casio digital timekeeping with infrared remote control. For collectors, the CMD-10 stands out as the first mass-market model, and the white variant is still considered the crown jewel of the line.

FAQ – Casio CMD-10