How The Casio F91-W Became A Terrorists Tool
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The Casio F-91 W, an unassuming yet iconic timepiece, has garnered significant attention over the years for its affordability, practicality, and a surprising dose of controversy.
Launched in 1989, the watch’s design has remained virtually unchanged since its inception. This watch offers precise timekeeping, waterproof capabilities, a stopwatch, alarm, and day/date features, all wrapped in a lightweight and durable build, and an impressive battery life of seven years!
Despite its reputation as an affordable and practical timepiece, the Casio F-91W has been controversial due to its association with terrorism. The watch became notorious for its use as a timer in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by groups like Al-Qaeda.
The watch's simplicity made it a preferred tool for assembling explosive devices, leading to scrutiny by security agencies post-9/11.
Al-Qaeda's Ramzi Yousef was known for utilizing the F-91W in bomb-making activities, earning him the title of a "genius" bomb maker by a former US counter-terrorism expert.
Secret documents from Guantanamo Bay revealed that the watch was considered a "sign of Al-Qaeda" and a potential indication of bomb-making training. More than 50 detainee reports referenced this unassuming timepiece, often noting its association with individuals suspected of explosive training.
A Kuwaiti engineer questioned about his Casio watch was shocked at its association with al-Qaida. "We have two watches in Kuwait: Fossil and Casio. This watch has a compass that shows the direction of Mecca. I am a devout Muslim, and many Kuwaitis rely on this watch." he claimed.
Despite these troubling connections, the Casio F-91W remains a favourite among various regular armies and training camps globally.
Surprisingly, the watch has graced the wrists of two figures who stand on opposite ends of the spectrum – Osama Bin Laden and Barack Obama. It's considered to be the only branded item that Osama Bin Laden was seen wearing in public.
While its association with acts of terrorism is deeply troubling, the F-91W's longevity in the world of wristwatches cannot be denied.
Read More: The History And Evolution Of Wrist Watches
