Casio MTP-4500

My first good/nice/grownup/not a cheap watch was a Citizen Navihawk. I loved that watch. I also beat it up and eventually passed it along to a childhood friend. It's the only watch I really miss. I'd replace it if I could justify the cost but I really can't right now. It'd be worth every dime, the Navihawk is seriously cool hardware but it's just out of reach for the family budget. 

Enter the Casio MTP-4500. It's not the size, quality or multifunctional beast the Citizen is but it's got a slide rule bezel and a couple useful complications. It also looks great and as with many Casio watches, looks like watches in much higher price brackets. To be fair, the band isn't terrible. It doesn't squeak or pull the hair out of my arm and it looks ok for an budget aviator. Much like the Casio Duro, it's about the best budget option for a watch of its kind. 

Saying the band isn't terrible is different from saying it's good or nice though, it's ok. If you want a beater that looks like every other beater and will hold up it'll do. When I worked on an ambulance I needed stainless steel because it could be easily sterilized. In my opinion, the MTP looks much better on a NATO. The one pictured is a nicely patinaed vintage strap I had laying around. 

It might also be noted the watch wears small. With a 43mm case, depending on where you measure, and I did, the watch comes across smaller due to the small bezel. There are advantages to that. It's harder to bump and if you have a smaller wrist, it looks great, even if the slide rule is slightly out of spec and not very useful. My 8.5" wrist needs a bigger case. 

I want a better aviator, a Flighthawk, Flightmaster or a Skyhawk maybe, but until my budget allows for one, I'll be happy to keep the MTP on a NATO or leather rally strap and have a pleasant placeholder. A used one under $25 is a steal but at Amazon retail prices you can do better. 

 

Photos Copyright Jason Barnhart 2017. Not for use without permission.