Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated

Casio MRW-230H vs Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary

Casio's timepiece meets Omega's chronograph

Quick Verdict

The Casio MRW-230H (Under $50) offers Casio Quartz (Battery) precision in the tier below the Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary ($25,000+). The MRW-230H measures 44.6mm (47.9 x 44.6 x 12.3mm) and is rated 100m (10 ATM). The Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 50m (5 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional watches for their respective tiers.

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Casio MRW-230H

Casio

MRW-230H

Under $50

Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary

Omega

Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary

$25,000+

Specifications Compared

FeatureCasio MRW-230HOmega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary
PriceUnder $50$25,000+
Case Size44.6mm (47.9 x 44.6 x 12.3mm)42mm
MovementQuartzHand-wound chronograph, Omega Calibre 1861
Caliber TypeCasio Quartz (Battery)Omega 1861, manual-wind Moonwatch calibre
Power ReserveApprox. 3-year battery (SR626SW)About 48 hours
Water Resistance100m (10 ATM)50m (5 ATM)
CrystalResin GlassSapphire Crystal
Case MaterialResin case, aluminum bezel ring18k gold (Sedna gold per Omega; Amazon lists yellow gold)
OriginCasio (Japan)Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Casio's design language vs Omega's approach

The Casio MRW-230H features a Resin case, aluminum bezel ring case at 44.6mm (47.9 x 44.6 x 12.3mm) with Resin Glass protection. The Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary offers 18k gold (Sedna gold per Omega; Amazon lists yellow gold) construction at 42mm with Sapphire Crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Omega

Quartz vs Hand-wound chronograph, Omega Calibre 1861

The MRW-230H runs the Quartz (Casio Quartz (Battery), Approx. 3-year battery (SR626SW) power reserve) at standard frequency. The Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary uses the Hand-wound chronograph, Omega Calibre 1861 (Omega 1861, manual-wind Moonwatch calibre, About 48 hours reserve) at standard. The Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary offers a longer power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Omega

44.6mm (47.9 x 44.6 x 12.3mm) vs 42mm — different wrist presence

At 44.6mm (47.9 x 44.6 x 12.3mm), the MRW-230H has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary at 42mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) vs 50m (5 ATM).

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Casio

Casio sits in the lower tier

The Casio MRW-230H sits at Under $50 and the Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary at $25,000+. On the specs that outlast any price: the MRW-230H uses Resin Glass with Approx. 3-year battery (SR626SW), against Sapphire Crystal and About 48 hours on the Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Casio

100m (10 ATM) vs 50m (5 ATM)

The MRW-230H is rated to 100m (10 ATM) while the Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary handles 50m (5 ATM). The MRW-230H is better suited for water activities.

Our Verdict

Casio

MRW-230H

Choose the Casio MRW-230H if you prioritize Casio Quartz (Battery) engineering, Casio (Japan) craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. At Under $50, it delivers Quartz with Approx. 3-year battery (SR626SW) power reserve.

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Omega

Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary

Choose the Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary if you value Omega 1861, manual-wind Moonwatch calibre technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 42mm proportions. At $25,000+, the Hand-wound chronograph, Omega Calibre 1861 with About 48 hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

Check Price on Amazon

The Bottom Line

The Casio MRW-230H and Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Casio bringing Casio (Japan) tradition while Omega delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Casio MRW-230H is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Casio MRW-230H is rated 100 m against 50 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Casio MRW-230H sits a band lower (Under $50 against $25,000+), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.
The Casio MRW-230H offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at Under $50. However, the Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.
Both are suitable for daily wear. The MRW-230H at 44.6mm (47.9 x 44.6 x 12.3mm) with 100m (10 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary at 42mm with 50m (5 ATM) is similarly capable. The MRW-230H uses Resin Glass while the Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th Anniversary uses Sapphire Crystal.

How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.