Review: Farr + Swit Retro Digital Mixtape Vol. 1 – A mixtape masterpiece or one to tape over?
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½☆ (3½ out of 5)
I strongly believe digital watches are a staple of a balanced and versatile watch collection. They are no-fuss, easy grab-and-go watches. I find them perfect for wearing during 5-a-side football, for swimming, or even just as a lightweight, easy-wear option for those lazy at-home weekends.
Now when I think of digital watches, automatically I think of Casio and stalwart watches like the F-91W or A500W—perfect examples of functional digital timepieces. Despite the F-91W coming in many different colourways, they are watches I’ve personally felt lack personality. Don’t get me wrong, they are good watches, but they focus on functionality and affordability instead of look and character.
Enter Farr + Swit, a microbrand watch company based in Chicago, USA, who make some fantastic-looking retro-inspired automatic watches alongside a cracking collection of affordable digital watches. I’ve previously shared my thoughts on one of their special editions, the Gamer 8-Bit—a watch I thoroughly enjoy, so feel free to check out that review too.
Farr + Swit’s retro ’80s-inspired themes carry across to their digital range, and it’s safe to say these definitely have character and personality. The most popular and affordable range is the Retro Mixtape Vol. 1. This watch comes in a couple of variants where the display screen is either black on white (A-Side) or white on black (B-Side). I picked up the original A-Side with the clear case, but the watches also come in blue, purple, or a striking orange (titled Volume 2). The price makes them super affordable at $34.99 (about £25 in English money).
So to recap, it’s a digital watch with a cool retro ’80s mixtape-inspired design at a super affordable price point. Is the Mixtape a timeless list of hit after hit, or is it just a one-hit wonder? Does it hold up against other best-in-class affordable digital watches like the F-91W? Let’s get into the detail and find out.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Standout Nostalgic Design: The mixtape artwork, cassette-inspired module layout, and clear translucent case give it bags of personality compared to sterile budget digitals.
- Exceptional Value: At $34.99 (£25), it offers an affordable entry point for a unique, retro-inspired microbrand piece.
- Effortless Wearability & Backlight: Lightweight construction makes it super comfortable for daily wear, paired with a crisp, distinct teal backlight for low-light legibility.
Cons
- Small Wrist Presence: At 35mm wide with a 38mm lug-to-lug, it can look and feel undersized on larger wrists or for those used to modern sports watch proportions.
- Limited Water Resistance: Splash protection only—not suitable for swimming or heavy water exposure.
- Transparent Resin Strap: The stock clear strap might not appeal to everyone, though the standard 18mm lug width makes swapping it out easy.
Specifications
| Movement | LCD Digital Watch |
| Case Diameter | 35mm |
| Case Thickness | 8.5mm |
| Lug Width | 18mm |
| Case Material | Resin |
| Crystal & Display | Acrylic Crystal – LCD Display |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Bracelet | Clear Resin Strap |
| Backlight | Teal EL Backlight |
| Complications | Day/Date Alarm Stopwatch 12/24hr time display |
Design
The Mixtape has a familiar look and feel in terms of case shape and layout, featuring a classic 35mm case diameter and a standard 3-button design. I think this is a great choice because if you’ve owned a digital watch before, you instantly know what to expect. Where this watch really starts to shine is on the face: the LCD display sits front and centre, surrounded by a simple but fun mixtape-style motif. Farr + Swit’s name and the watch model act almost as the handwritten title of the tape—similar to how those of us old enough to remember would have labelled our latest recorded album or mixtape. Three coloured lines in teal, red, and yellow sit behind the screen, adding a nice pop of colour. The bottom section is laid out with details resembling the top of a cassette to complete the aesthetic.
Straight from the off, it’s clear where this watch’s inspiration comes from. It isn’t hidden away in subtle details or engraved on a case back; it’s right there front and centre for all to see, and it looks great.
The case itself is made from a clear, translucent resin that allows the digital module to be seen through the sides, reinforcing that cassette tape look by resembling the clear plastic shells ’80s and ’90s kids will be familiar with. The LCD display is large enough to read clearly without being overpowering, fitting nicely into the watch’s overall footprint so the time, day, and date are easily visible even at a glance. It’s protected by an acrylic crystal, while the back features a stainless steel plate detailing the watch model, water resistance, and battery type.
The watch is complemented by a colour-matched clear resin strap. It’s lightweight and works well with the overall look, though personally I’d prefer a solid colour strap as opposed to transparent. However, with an 18mm lug width, finding an alternative aftermarket strap is quick and easy.
Performance
When it comes to real-world performance, the Mixtape Vol. 1 keeps things delightfully straightforward, sticking closely to the standard digital watch playbook. It gives you everything you need for daily wear without cluttering the module with features you will never use. You get a clear, primary display for the time, day, and date, along with standard 12/24-hour modes, a daily alarm, and a stopwatch.
Operating the module using the three side pushers feels entirely intuitive. The top-left pusher toggles on the teal backlight, the bottom pusher cycles through the modes, and the standalone right pusher toggles between 12/24-hour modes as well as starting and stopping the stopwatch. Cycling through modes from the main time screen to the alarm, stopwatch, and time-setting menu takes zero learning curve if you have ever set a digital watch in your life. The pushers themselves offer a satisfying, tactile click when pressed, avoiding that mushy or soft feel that sometimes plagues ultra-budget digital timepieces.
In dark environments, the built-in backlight gets the job done well. While it won’t light up an entire room like a torch, it illuminates the screen clearly enough to read the time in pitch-black conditions. The teal backlight adds something distinct compared to standard backlit displays on similar digital watches—it’s crisp and legible, perfect for low-light conditions or checking the time on a night out. Water resistance is rated for general splash protection, making it fine for daily rain showers, dishwashing, or light splashes, though you will want to leave it on the bench for serious swimming sessions. Overall, the watch is ideal for everyday wear, delivering exactly on that effortless grab-and-go convenience you want from an ’80s-inspired digital piece.
On The Wrist
In terms of pure comfort, the Mixtape Vol. 1 scores high marks. Because of the lightweight resin case and thin profile, it sits incredibly light on the wrist—so much so that you easily forget you are even wearing it. It slides under a sleeve without any issue and makes for an effortless, low-profile daily wear.
However, wearability is where we hit the watch’s biggest drawback: its size. Measuring in at 35mm wide (with a compact 38mm lug-to-lug), it sits firmly on the smaller, vintage side of the spectrum. On my wrist, it simply feels and looks a bit too small. While that compact footprint matches the authentic ’80s digital aesthetic, modern wrist presence takes a back seat here.
To put it into perspective, the Gamer 8-Bit that I previously reviewed comes in at a much more substantial 40mm/41mm case width. That larger proportion gives the Gamer a far stronger, punchier presence on the wrist that, for my personal preference, looks and feels a lot better balanced. If you love that compact, retro-accurate F-91W sizing, the Mixtape will feel right at home; but if you’re used to modern sports watch proportions, you might find yourself wishing Farr + Swit had upsized this one just a touch.
Final Thoughts
The Farr + Swit Mixtape Vol. 1 is a refreshing, unapologetically fun take on the entry-level digital watch. Where standard budget options like the Casio F-91W play it safe with functional, bare-bones styling, the Mixtape Vol. 1 leans hard into nostalgia, delivering heaps of retro charm, full-blown personality, and clear translucent aesthetics right out of the box.
At $34.99 (around £25), it sits in a sweet spot for impulse buys or grab-and-go beaters. The LCD display is crisp, the three-button operation is standard and user-friendly, and the lightweight construction makes it exceptionally comfortable for casual daily wear. Its main drawback really comes down to wrist presence. If you prefer modern sizing—like the punchier 40mm footprint of their Gamer 8-Bit or Mixtape XL—the 35mm case and 38mm lug-to-lug proportion might feel a bit too small on larger wrists.
So, is the Retro Mixtape Vol. 1 a timeless hit or a one-hit wonder? For me, it lands solidly as a side-track hit worth spinning. If you are looking for a sterile tool watch, stick with the classic Casio. But if you want an affordable, conversation-starting digital watch that wears its 1980s mixtape inspiration on its sleeve, the Mixtape Vol. 1 delivers tons of character for very little cash.
So, press play on something fun, skip the safe choices for once, and let a little ’80s nostalgia spin on your wrist.
Still not sold on the Mixtape? Need more info? Check out The Time Bums great review or watch the Unboxing and Review video from Anonymous Watch Guy
