Casio CMD-30 – Restoration

I recently won a job lot on eBay with about 7–8 watches inside. Most of them were nothing special, but hidden in the box was the one I really wanted: a Casio CMD-30B.

When it arrived, the watch didn’t look great. The top strap was cut in half and the watch was not working, so I had no idea if the module was alive or dead. That’s the risk with buying lots online—you only find out the real condition once it’s in your hands.

The CMD-30 is one of Casio’s quirkiest creations from the 1990s. It’s not just a watch, it’s also a TV remote you wear on your wrist. Back in the day, it was perfect for messing with the school TV. Today, it’s a cool reminder of how experimental Casio used to be. And yes, it can still work with many modern TVs if you set it up right.

Even though it looked rough, I decided to give it a proper chance. Maybe it would end up as a display piece, maybe it would come back to life. Time to find out.

What was the condition of the watch when it arrived?

When I got the Casio CMD-30B, it was not in working order. The upper strap was cut in half, so the watch could not be worn. The module was dead, and I didn’t know if a new battery would fix it or not.

The case itself was clean and well-preserved, which was a nice surprise. There were no deep cracks or heavy wear on the body. The only big problem on the outside was the scratched crystal, which made the display look cloudy.

So overall:

• Case looked good.
• Crystal had scratches.
• Strap was broken.
• Module was not working.

It didn’t look too bad, but the real test would come after opening it and trying to bring it back to life.

How did the restoration process go?

Step 1: Polishing the crystal

The biggest issue outside was the scratched crystal. I started with 2000-grit sandpaper to remove the main marks. After that, I moved to 7000-grit for a smooth finish.

Finally, I used Polywatch with a soft cloth (yes, even an old clean sock works 😅) to bring back the shine. After this step, the display was clear again and looked almost new.

Step 2: New battery

Next, I put in a fresh battery. Luckily, the module started working right away. That was a big relief, because I didn’t know if the electronics were alive when I first bought it.

Step 3: New strap

The original strap was cut, so I replaced it. I used a strap made for Casio AW-49 / AW-49H, which fits perfectly on the CMD-30B. It’s easy to find online and gives the watch a clean, original look again.

The result of the restoration

After the work, the Casio CMD-30B looked and worked great again. The crystal was clear, the case was clean, and the new strap made it ready to wear. Best of all, the module was working fine after the new battery.

And of course, the coolest part of this watch: the remote control function. I tested it, and it still works on many TVs today once you set the right code. It’s one of those fun Casio features that always makes people smile.

This restoration was not very hard compared to others I’ve done. No broken lugs, no dead module to replace. Just some patience with sandpaper, polish, and the right strap. Sometimes you get lucky with a project, and it feels good when everything goes smoothly.

This CMD-30B is now part of my collection. It’s a perfect example of the strange and creative ideas Casio tried in the 90s. A digital watch that can change TV channels… who else would think of that? 👍⌚

👉 What do you think? Do you own any of Casio’s gadget watches like the CMD series or Databanks? Would you wear one today, or keep it as a collector’s piece?