30 Years of PRO TREK

PRO TREK got its start in 1995 as a brand focused on adapting original sensing technologies from Casio for outdoor use. The first PRO TREK watch, the DPX-500, featured Triple Sensor technology, offering measurements of compass bearing, barometric pressure, altitude, and temperature. This helped users track changing conditions and make quick decisions on the spot. With its precision, the first PRO TREK watch quickly established the brand identity during a boom in mountain climbing in Japan. The DPX-500 became a favorite among climbers, standing out as groundbreaking outdoor gear that delivered essential data like altitude and compass bearing on a wristwatch.

In 2000, significant progress was made in establishing PRO TREK watches as an essential and authentic part of users’ outdoor gear. Embracing the idea that effective tools must be developed with real-world experience, mountain-climbing experts were invited as brand ambassadors to provide input based on their professional knowledge. Their feedback led to the brand-new concept of refining the wristwatch to become a true outdoor tool, addressing key issues such as the size of lettering, operational ease, and complex display information. The PRG-40, for example, improved usability with its large, easy-to-read display, direct sensor buttons for one-touch access to compass bearing, barometric pressure, and altitude, and a dual-layer LCD for graphical compass display.

While features like Triple Sensor and a large LCD offered excellent functionality, they also consumed significant power, raising concerns about battery replacement and maintenance, such as a need for periodic water-resistance tests. To address this, the PRG-50 introduced the Tough Solar power system, harnessing sunlight for reliable energy during outdoor activities. The newly developed Triple Sensor Ver. 2, designed for solar-powered use, ensured stable operation of the watch's many functions with minimal power consumption.

Casio introduced its first radio-controlled watch in 1995, and the integration of this feature into a PRO TREK watch had long been anticipated. By using standard time radio waves for automatic time calibration, this feature ensures precise timekeeping — a key concern in mountain climbing — and eliminates the need for manual adjustments, offering greater convenience for outdoor activities. Initially, interference with the compass bearing sensor from the magnetic antenna posed a challenge, but this was resolved by positioning the antenna inside the case. The PRW-1000 was the first to combine radio-controlled accuracy with solar-powered technology, reducing both time-setting tasks and the need for battery replacements. It introduced a new level of practical functionality and sophistication to outdoor gear.

A meeting with mountaineer Hirotaka Takeuchi after the development of the PRW-1000 marked a key turning point in the evolution of PRO TREK. Takeuchi reported that, during a field test in the Himalayas, he chose not to wear the watch because it felt too bulky on his wrist. This feedback ignited the development team's determination to create a slimmer design that would not hinder wrist movement, whether on snowy peaks or during rock climbing. With a lot of trial and error, they reduced the case thickness by developing a slimmer module leveraging Casio high-density mounting technology. The result was the PRW-1300, launched in 2007 as an even more refined and practical outdoor tool.

In 2009, the flagship MANASLU line of PRO TREK timepieces debuted, named after the 8,000-meter Himalayan peak summited by brand ambassador Hirotaka Takeuchi. Developing the first MANASLU watch brought a new challenge: reintroducing the dual-layer LCD that had been removed to achieve a slimmer design in previous models. Starting from scratch, the team successfully integrated radio-controlled, solar-powered technology while preserving a sleek form. Kathmandu, a key hub for Himalayan climbers, was added to the world time presets. Assembled at Yamagata Casio’s Premium Production Line for high-end models, the PRX-2000T combined outstanding technical specs with a sleek metal design, delivering both functionality and refined craftsmanship.

The analog display in the PRW-5000, released in 2010, allowed users to quickly grasp both elapsed and remaining time through the position of the watch hands. Building on the potential of the analog display, Casio introduced the PRX-7000T, a fully analog display watch that not only showed the time but also indicated sensor data, including compass bearings, making it a versatile tool for outdoor adventurers. On May 26, 2012, this timepiece accompanied Hirotaka Takeuchi to the summit of Dhaulagiri, where he became the first Japanese climber to conquer all 14 of the world’s mountains over 8,000 meters. The PRX-7000T marked the moment of his historic achievement, cementing its role as a trusted tool in the mountaineer’s journey.

Responding to demands from expert mountain climbers like brand ambassador Hirotaka Takeuchi, as well as rescue teams working in harsh mountain environments, the PRO TREK development team focused on delivering even greater measurement accuracy. The newly developed Triple Sensor Ver. 3 improved ease of use in the field, featuring 1-meter altitude measurements for more detailed data on elevation changes as well as 60-second continuous compass bearing measurement to help users stay aware of their surroundings. The module was also downsized, resulting in a slimmer, more compact form that would not interfere with wrist movement. The PRW-3000 represented a comprehensive evolution, offering both technical enhancements and a more comfortable fit.

Under the supervision of Hirotaka Takeuchi, the first Japanese climber to summit all 14 of the world's mountains over 8,000 meters, a new timepiece with enhanced technical specs and overall quality was introduced to the MANASLU line, now firmly established as the flagship of the PRO TREK brand. The PRX-8000T featured a wide, high-contrast face for visibility in extreme conditions, with a sapphire crystal and metal bezel for durability. Driven by Takeuchi’s focus on wearability, the watch included an adjustable clasp, easy to change even while wearing gloves. Titanium carbide and diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on the metal components added a refined finish, making this MANASLU model the highest-performing and most sophisticated timepiece in the line.

The PRW-61 upholds the signature outdoor features of PRO TREK, such as Triple Sensor, radio-controlled, and solar-powered functionality, while making the case, band, and case back with bio-based resin — a material which is expected to help reduce environmental impact. This advancement underscores a deep connection to nature, essential for any outdoor gear. Designed with a compact size that suits any wrist, the watch combines rugged function with contemporary style, making it perfect for both outdoor adventures and urban settings. The PRW-61 has become a new classic for those who live and breathe outdoor living in their own unique way.

The PRG-340SC features a highly comfortable Dura Soft band made with recycled resin. Scraps from resin product manufacturing are crushed into chips, kneaded into a silicone base, and transformed into vibrant, randomly patterned textures that evoke the rugged beauty of stones and sand. The bezel, case, and case back are made with bio-based resin, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. With Triple Sensor functionality for tracking natural conditions and Tough Solar charging that converts light from the sun and indoor sources into power, this watch helps users enjoy and connect with nature through materials and features built for authentic outdoor gear.