Casios latest watch isnt what youd expect from the brand. Rather than developing another G-Shock that has die-hards gushing over the quartz timepiece, Casios decided to create something a little more, well, quirky. Behold the CPP-002 a watch with a story thats just about as captivating as its unusual design. You see, the coil-cord bracelet aside, the CPP-002 is Casios first watch designed to be heat and humidity-resistant. Why you ask? Well, the watch is marketed as the brands first timepiece designed to be worn in saunas.Saunas arent exactly high-tech battlegrounds. Theyre places where you sweat out your existential dread or perhaps reflect on why youre sitting in a small, wooden room cooking yourself like a rotisserie chicken. And yet, here comes Casio, leaning into this niche with all the earnestness of an inventor convinced the world needs this. Spoiler alert: with rising global temperatures, maybe we do.Designer: CasioAt first glance, the CPP-002 looks like any other Casiocompact, lightweight, and built to handle everyday life without a fuss. But peel back the layers (or, in this case, step into 180F of sauna bliss), and youll realize this watch is sweating the details in ways you didnt even know mattered. Heat-resistant battery? Check. Expandable band for those swelling wrists? Oh, absolutely. A built-in 12-minute timer for your sauna session? Now were really getting specific. Its a product so wonderfully niche that it feels like Casio is in on the jokeand delivering it with a straight face.For a watch weighing just 24.5 grams, the CPP-002 punches above its weight when it comes to durability. Its 35.4mm resin case wont flinch at heat or humidity, and it doesnt shy away from water either, with a 50-meter resistance rating. You could almost picture it scoffing at the very idea of being fragile. And yet, it doesnt scream rugged in the same way as Casios G-SHOCK lineup. Its more like the cool sibling who doesnt feel the need to boast.Then theres the timer functiona simple yet oddly charming addition that speaks directly to sauna-goers. With a few pushes of its bullhead-style buttons, youve got a perfectly timed 12-minute countdown for your steam-soaked zen. Its quirky, sure, but undeniably practical, especially for those who lose track of time while wondering if theyre sweating out toxins or just yesterdays bad decisions.Visually, the CPP-002 has its moments. The collaboration with Sauna Ikitai adds a playful edge, with dials and stretchable bands in color combos that flirt with boldness without crossing into tacky. Whether its the crisp all-black variant or the cheeky versions that have a splash of vibrant orange or sky blue theres a quiet confidence in the designa willingness to have fun without overdoing it.Casios decision to keep this watch outside the G-SHOCK lineup feels deliberate, almost like they wanted to prove they could make a tough watch without leaning on that branding. And they succeeded. The CPP-002 is tough in a way that feels subtle, like a knowing nod instead of a chest-thumping declaration. Its heat-resistant battery with a five-year lifespan is a prime examplepractical, reliable, and completely on-brand for a watch thats all about quiet competence.Priced at around $53 during its crowdfunding phase on the Japanese site Makuake, the CPP-002 is almost disarmingly accessible. Its the kind of watch that doesnt demand to be taken seriously but earns your respect anyway. Sure, its a little funny that it exists, but its also hard to imagine a sauna enthusiast who wouldnt appreciate it. And thats where Casio shinesby finding a niche, embracing it wholeheartedly, and delivering a product that makes you smile even as it impresses you.The post Move Over G-SHOCK, Casios New Sauna-friendly Watch Lets You Turn Up The Heat Literally first appeared on Yanko Design.