Casio STR-1000 – Restoration

Introduction

The Casio STR-1000 is one of those late-1980s digital watches that feels like a product of its time. Made in Japan and designed with PE teachers and runners in mind, it came with a quirky but practical feature: a remote lap timer. Add to that its bold mint-green resin case, and you get a watch that looks as experimental as it was functional.

After more than 35 years, the example I found had definitely seen better days. The glass was scratched, the mint case had faded, the sound was dead, and the strap was long gone. At first glance, it looked like a forgotten drawer watch. But because of its unusual design and history, I knew it deserved another chance.

In this post, I’ll take you through the restoration process — from polishing the glass to reviving the case color — and show how this retro-futuristic Casio went from worn-out to wearable again.

What was the condition of the watch at the start?

When I got the Casio STR-1000, it was clear this watch had lived a full life. The acrylic glass was scratched all over, making the display look dull. The mint-green resin case had lost its brightness, showing scuffs and discoloration from decades of use.

The buzzer didn’t work because the tiny spring that connects the module to the piezo was missing. Without it, the watch was silent. On top of that, the original strap was gone, leaving it incomplete and unwearable.

It wasn’t a watch you could wear proudly in that state. But underneath the flaws was a rare late-80s Casio with a design you don’t see every day. That was enough reason to bring it back.

👉 Collector’s note: Models like the STR-1000 are rarely seen today. Colored resin cases are especially tricky because they fade unevenly, and many never survive long enough to be restored. Finding one in restorable condition is already a small victory.

How did I restore the Casio STR-1000?

Step 1: Polishing the glass

The acrylic crystal had deep scratches. I used wet sanding to smooth the surface, then polished it by hand until it regained clarity. This step alone made a big difference, letting the dial show through without haze.

Step 2: Cleaning and polishing the case

The resin case was covered with scuffs. I cleaned it thoroughly, then used polishing paste to remove small marks and restore a smooth finish. The edges and details stood out again after years of dull wear.

Step 3: Restoring the mint color

To bring back the original mint-green tone, I applied 12% oxidant cream and exposed the case to UV light. After a few hours, the faded color brightened noticeably, reviving the bold look that makes the STR-1000 so unique.

Step 4: Fixing the sound

The watch had no beep because it was missing the small spring that connects the module to the piezo buzzer. I fitted a replacement, and the sound came back immediately. That first beep felt like a confirmation that the restoration was working. 🔧

Step 5: Adding a new strap

Finally, I attached a fresh strap. The original was long gone, but the replacement matched the style and made the watch comfortable to wear again.

👉 Tip for restorers: When whitening colored resin, monitor it closely. Too much UV exposure can damage the pigment. For this case, I kept it under the winter sun for about 1–2 hours, which was enough to restore the mint tone without overfading.

The Final Result

After the restoration, the Casio STR-1000 came back to life in the best possible way. The glass is clear, the case is smooth and polished, and the mint-green color looks bold again after the UV treatment. The buzzer works, giving that classic Casio beep, and with a new strap the watch is finally wearable after decades of sitting unused.

What makes this project special is seeing how a watch designed for sports teachers in the late ’80s still feels futuristic today. The remote lap timer and striking mint case show Casio’s creativity during that era, and bringing that design back to its original form was a rewarding process.

Now I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever come across the STR-1000 or another sports-oriented Casio from the 80s or 90s? How do you approach restoring colored resin cases — any tricks or lessons learned? Drop your stories, tips, or photos in the comments. Sharing these experiences helps keep the history of these bold designs alive. ⌚💬