Casio TGW-10 (Black Dial) – Restoration

The story of this Casio TGW-10 (Black Dial) started in a very typical collector way 😅. One day, on a Facebook group called The Casio Vintage Club, someone tagged me under a post. A guy from Sweden was selling a big lot of Casio watches from the 80s and 90s. All of them were not working. Most were in average condition. For many people, it was just a box of dead watches. For me, it looked like a perfect restoration project. I chose 6 models that really interested me, sent an offer, and we quickly made a deal. I paid, he shipped, and the package arrived very fast. This TGW-10 was the first one I wanted to touch.

What was the initial condition of the watch?

At first look, this Casio TGW-10 was exactly what I expected from a watch that slept for decades ⌚. It was not working. The case was dirty, with old grime stuck around the edges and between the lugs. The acrylic crystal had many scratches. Nothing was cracked or broken, but the watch clearly lived a full life on someone’s wrist.

After opening the caseback, the situation became more interesting. Inside, I found an original Toshiba battery from Japan. This usually means one thing. The watch was never opened since new. No corrosion. No signs of amateur repairs. The module looked clean and untouched 👍. From a collector’s point of view, this is a very good starting point. The outside needed work, but the heart of the watch looked promising.

Does the module still work? First power test

The first thing I always check is the module 🔧. There is no point polishing a case if the watch is dead inside. I installed a fresh battery and closed the circuit carefully. Then I performed a standard AC reset, a must with old Casio modules after long storage.

The result was instant and very satisfying 😅. The LCD came back fully. No missing segments. No fading. All buttons responded correctly. The module started working like it should, as if it was only waiting for power all these years. This moment never gets old. When a 30-year-old Casio wakes up on the first try, you know the restoration is worth continuing 🛠️.

Case and crystal restoration

Once I knew the module was healthy, I moved to the outside 🛠️. This is the part that takes time and patience. The TGW-10 has a resin case and an acrylic crystal, so mistakes are easy to make if you rush. I wanted to refresh the watch, not make it look new and wrong.

Step 1: Deep cleaning the case

• I started with a full case bath.
• Warm water and gentle cleaning to remove old dirt and skin residue.
• Dirt was hiding around the lugs and edges, very typical for 90s Casios.

After cleaning, the real condition showed up. Scratches everywhere, but nothing deep. Good news 👍.

Step 2: Sanding the resin case

• I used sandpaper from 1000 grit up to 2500 grit.
• I worked slowly and evenly, always checking the surface.
• The goal was clear. Remove scratches but keep the original matte finish.

Resin cases are tricky 😅. Too much sanding and the case starts to lose its shape. In the past, I made a common mistake. I sanded the case up to 7000 grit and then polished it. The result looked clean, but the surface became very glossy and slippery. It did not feel original.

After a few restorations, I learned from that mistake 👍. Now I stop sanding the resin case at 2500 grit. Then I finish it with a white magic sponge. This method gives a much better result. The surface stays matte and feels closer to how the case looked when it left the Casio factory.

Step 3: Acrylic crystal restoration

• For the crystal, I went further.
• Sanding up to 7000 grit to remove deep scratches.
• After that, I polished it with felt and Polywatch.

Step 4: Final case finish

• I finished the case with a white magic sponge.
• First dry, then slightly wet.
• This brought back a clean, even matte texture.

At this point, the watch already looked alive again. Same shape. Same character. Just clean, sharp, and ready for the next step 🔧.

Strap challenge – What do you do when the original no longer exists?

The strap turned out to be the biggest challenge in this restoration ⌚. The original strap for the Casio TGW-10 is no longer easy to get. A few years ago, it was still available in regular shops. Today, that option is gone. Now the only real source is eBay, where prices are quite high.

A few months ago, there was also a replacement strap available in Poland. The quality was worse than the original, but it was still a usable option. Unfortunately, it sold out very fast, and from what I can see, it is now unavailable in all Polish sources. This is a very common problem with 90s Casio models.

Because of that, I had to look for a smart alternative 👍. The TGW-10 has very specific dimensions: 14 mm lug width and 21.5 mm total width at the fork. After some testing, I found that the strap made for CASIO LCF-30 and LWA-M140 models fits very well. The resin quality is excellent, and the proportions match the case nicely. On the wrist, it looks natural and balanced. Sometimes, a well-chosen replacement is the best solution, especially when original parts slowly disappear.

The final result – Was it worth the effort?

After finishing the case, crystal, and strap, the Casio TGW-10 finally came together ⌚. The resin case looks clean and even, with a proper matte finish close to the original. The acrylic crystal is clear again, without deep scratches or distortion. It still looks vintage, not over-polished, which was very important to me 👍.

Functionally, the watch works exactly as it should. The LCD is fully visible. All buttons respond correctly. The module feels strong and reliable, like many old Casios do. On the wrist, the replacement strap from the LCF-30 / LWA-M140 models fits very well and keeps the proportions right. This TGW-10 is now ready for daily wear, not just for the display box 🛠️.

Want your Casio restored? I also work on collector projects 👍

This Casio TGW-10 is not the only watch on my bench. I also restore vintage Casio watches for other collectors. You can see examples of my past projects here:
👉 https://casiorestore.com/projects-restorations/

I work internationally, and shipping is not a problem. I have already completed restorations for collectors from the UK, Sweden, Poland, and France. Every project is discussed individually, so we always agree on the scope, price, and shipping before starting 🛠️.

The process is simple:

• Write to me on Instagram: @vintage.casio.restore
• Or send me an email: vintagecasiorestore@gmail.com
• Describe the problem with your watch
• Send the pictures
• Tell me your country

If your Casio deserves a second life, I will be happy to help 👍