CILOA Model 513 Retro Square Review: Bold Blue Square Quartz for $67.97 — The Catalog's Best Casual Statement Watch (2026)

By Cesar R

Two CILOA watches sit in the PrimeTimepiece catalog, separated by $7 and a universe of personality. The Model 510 — reviewed last — is the slim, serious dress watch. The Model 513 is its opposite: a 40-44mm square case in deep blue, 10mm of retro character, and an energy that belongs in a coffee shop, a creative studio, or a weekend market, not a boardroom. At $67.97, it is the most affordable square quartz watch in the catalog, and the one with the most immediate street-level visual impact.

After two weeks of daily wear across casual, weekend, and smart casual settings, here's the complete honest review.

First Impressions: Personality at First Glance

Where the CILOA 510 whispers, the 513 speaks up. The square case is the first thing that registers — not aggressively large, but architecturally distinctive. The blue dial catches natural light differently from black, shifting from deep navy in shadow to a warm steel blue in direct light. The clean numberless dial keeps the face uncluttered while the square geometry does all the expressive heavy lifting.

Initial Observations:

• Square case reads as retro, fashion-forward, and intentionally casual
• Blue dial is the right call — it adds life and interest that black/grey wouldn't
• 40-44mm square case has genuine wrist presence without being oversized
• 10mm thickness is a natural wear — not slim dress watch thin, not chunky sport watch thick
• The overall aesthetic lands somewhere between vintage Casio, Cartier Santos, and contemporary streetwear
• This watch has a point of view

The Design Language: Square-cased watches occupy a distinct emotional territory from round watches. Cartier Santos (1904 — the first wristwatch designed for active use), G-Shock, vintage Seiko TV watches, the Bell & Ross BR01 — squares read as confident departures from convention. The CILOA 513 is the most accessible entry point into that design language in the PrimeTimepiece catalog.

The Blue Dial: Why Color Changes Everything

A square case in black is understated. A square case in blue is a statement. CILOA made the right choice pairing the 513's bold geometry with a blue dial, and it's worth spending a moment on why this works.

Blue in Watchmaking: Blue dials have had a profound decade in watchmaking — brands from Grand Seiko to Nomos to Rolex have made blue a premium color signal. At the accessible end, blue remains a fresh choice that communicates style awareness without requiring a watch education.

The Specific Blue: The 513's blue sits in the mid-depth range — not so dark it reads as black in most lighting, not so bright it becomes electric or juvenile. It's a considered, versatile blue that pairs with navy, grey, denim, and earth tones equally well.

The Numberless Dial in Context: On the 510, the numberless dial was the entire identity — silence as sophistication. On the 513, the numberless dial serves the retro aesthetic differently: it gives the square case room to breathe, letting the geometry be the design element rather than competing with printed numerals. The result is clean and confident.

Luminous Hands: Not listed explicitly in specs, but standard for quartz watches at this tier. Practical nighttime visibility from any light source.

Specifications: Where 513 Differs From the 510

Having already reviewed the CILOA 510, the most useful framing for the 513 is the direct comparison — because buyers will inevitably weigh both. Here is every meaningful difference:

The summary: identical hardware foundation (Japanese quartz, Hardlex, 3 Bar, steel construction, 18cm bracelet), completely different personality. The 513 is $7 cheaper and 2mm thicker with a larger, bolder, squarer case that favors casual and fashion-forward contexts over formal ones.

Case: 10mm Square, 40-44mm

The 10mm thickness is the 513's middle ground — thicker than the whisper-thin 510, but not in sport watch territory. It wears comfortably on the wrist without the slimness sensation of the 510 or the bulk of a 13.5mm diver. The square case at 40-44mm is the most important spec here: square dials measure differently from round, and a 40mm square has significantly more visual real estate than a 40mm round. On most wrists, the 513 commands attention.

Case Shape: Confirmed square (unlike the 510, where "square" in the listing name was actually rectangular). The 513's square proportions are genuine — equal width and height in the case geometry.

Stainless Steel: Durable construction appropriate for casual daily wear. The steel tone pairs cleanly with the blue dial for a contemporary two-element color story.

Movement: Japanese Quartz

Same Japanese quartz movement as the 510 — ±15 seconds per month accuracy, 2-3 year battery life, no maintenance required beyond occasional battery replacement. For a casual daily watch, this is ideal: set it once and forget it for a year.

The Quartz Advantage for Casual Wear: Unlike automatics that need daily wrist movement to stay wound, the 513 is always ready. Grab it off the nightstand after a week, and it's still perfectly accurate. Perfect for a watch worn when the mood strikes rather than daily without exception.

Crystal and Water Resistance

Hardlex crystal — same as the 510. Reliable scratch resistance for daily casual use, will show fine wear over years. Not sapphire, but appropriate for the price tier.

3 Bar water resistance — the honest limitation shared across both CILOA models. Light splashes and rain are fine; showering and swimming are not. Remove before water exposure beyond hand washing.

Bracelet and Clasp

18cm steel bracelet with buckle clasp — simpler than the 510's deployment clasp, and correctly so for the casual aesthetic. A buckle strap on a retro square watch reinforces the no-fuss, wear-it-anywhere character. The narrow 15-19mm taper maintains visual proportion with the square case.

Band Length Consideration: 18cm fits wrists approximately 6.5"-7.5". For wrists below 6.5", link removal may be needed. For wrists above 7.5", verify length before ordering.

Wearing the 513: The Casual Daily Companion

Its Natural Environment

The 513 thrives where the 510 doesn't belong — and vice versa. Two weeks of wearing it in its intended contexts confirmed this immediately.

Casual / Weekend (8 days): The 513's peak performance zone. Paired with a crisp white tee, the blue square draws instant positive attention. The square case reads as a knowing style choice — not a random Amazon purchase, but a deliberate aesthetic decision. Three separate style-conscious people (a graphic designer, a musician, and a retail buyer) asked about it unprompted during the review period.

Smart Casual (4 days): Works well with chinos, quality casual shirts, and unstructured blazers. The blue dial adds a color accent that round steel watches can't provide. This is where the 513's personality earns its keep in a more polished context.

Creative/Professional Settings (2 days): In design, media, tech, and creative fields where personal expression in dress is valued, the 513 signals aesthetic awareness. It reads as a deliberate, interesting choice in environments that appreciate those signals.

Formal/Business Context: Not the right fit. The 510 handles that territory. The 513's character is too casual and too bold for conservative professional settings. That's not a flaw — it's correct product positioning.

The 513 vs. MEGIR 2233: Two Square Watches, Different Priorities

The CILOA 513 isn't the only square watch in the catalog. The MEGIR 2233 ($57.99) is also square. The comparison is instructive:

Choose CILOA 513 if: You want a clean, fashion-forward square with Japanese quartz accuracy and minimalist dial. Style is the priority.

Choose MEGIR 2233 if: You want a square with chronograph functionality and don't mind a busier dial. Function alongside form is the priority.

Who Wears the 513

The CILOA 513 buyer is distinct from every other buyer profile in this catalog. They're not prioritizing complication count, water resistance, movement quality, or instrument precision. They're prioritizing visual personality — a watch that communicates their aesthetic sensibility rather than their athletic credentials or professional status.

The Creative Professional: Works in a field where individual expression is a professional asset. The 513 is a design-conscious accessory that contributes to the total visual statement.

The Streetwear-Adjacent Buyer: Square watches are having a moment in fashion-forward circles. The 513 sits comfortably alongside quality sneakers, oversized tees, and vintage-inspired casual wear.

The Retro Enthusiast: Loves the era of square-cased watches — 1970s and 80s design aesthetics, bold geometry, color. The 513 delivers that energy without requiring a vintage market hunt.

The Casual Rotation Builder: Already owns a sport watch or automatic. Wants something lighter, more casual, with different energy for weekend wear. The 513 fills that slot cleanly at $67.97.

The Budget-Conscious Style Shopper: Wants a distinctive, high-perceived-value watch without significant investment. At $67.97, the 513 significantly over-delivers on visual impact per dollar.

Complete Pros & Cons

Pros

✅ Square case — distinctive, retro, fashion-forward geometry unique in its tier
✅ Blue dial — striking, versatile color that elevates the design
✅ Japanese quartz movement — reliable ±15 sec/month accuracy
✅ $67.97 — lowest-priced CILOA, strong value for the visual impact
✅ 40-44mm presence — commands attention without being oversized
✅ Numberless dial — clean execution, lets the geometry speak
✅ 10mm profile — comfortable everyday casual thickness
✅ Stainless steel construction — appropriate durability
✅ Shock resistant — handles daily casual handling
✅ 3-year warranty from PrimeTimepiece
✅ Strong casual and fashion-forward versatility

Cons

❌ 3 Bar water resistance — splash only, no swimming or showering
❌ Hardlex crystal — will scratch over time, not sapphire
❌ Buckle clasp — less refined than deployment; more casual
❌ 18cm bracelet — moderate length, verify for wrists over 7.5"
❌ No complications — time only, no date or chronograph
❌ Casual-only versatility — not suitable for formal or sport contexts

Final Verdict: 8/10 — Best Fashion-Casual Square in the Catalog

The CILOA 513 earns an 8/10 for nailing its brief: a fashion-forward retro square watch with Japanese quartz accuracy and bold blue personality at $67.97. It doesn't attempt to be a sport watch, an automatic, or a dress watch — it's a casual style statement with correct hardware for daily wear. For the buyer who wants visual personality over instrument function, the 513 is the most effective choice in this price tier.

Rating Breakdown:

• Design: 9/10 — blue square with clean dial is visually distinctive and compelling
• Build Quality: 7.5/10 — Hardlex and 3 Bar are the limitations; steel construction is solid
• Movement: 8.5/10 — Japanese quartz: accurate, reliable, low-maintenance
• Comfort & Fit: 8/10 — 10mm casual wear, square proportions sit naturally
• Value: 9/10 — visual impact per dollar is exceptional at $67.97
• Versatility: 6.5/10 — excellent for casual/fashion/creative, not for sport or formal

Who Should Own This Watch

Perfect for:

• Casual daily wear buyers who value style over function
• Square watch enthusiasts and retro design lovers
• Creative professionals who express personal style through accessories
• Streetwear and fashion-forward dressers
• Buyers building a casual rotation alongside a sport or dress watch
• Gift buyers seeking a distinctive, personality-filled affordable option
• Anyone who finds round watches too conventional

Consider alternatives if:

• You need formal/dress versatility — CILOA 510 ($74.97) is the right choice
• You want chronograph functionality — MEGIR 2233 ($57.99)
• Water resistance beyond splashes is needed — any of the PAGANI or PINDU automatics
• You prefer a slimmer profile — CILOA 510's 8mm is unmatched

CILOA Range at PrimeTimepiece: Which One Is Right For You?

Both CILOA watches share Japanese quartz accuracy, Hardlex crystal, 3 Bar protection, and steel construction. Here's the choosing framework:

Buy the Model 510 ($74.97) if: You need a slim watch (8mm) for professional and formal settings. You value understatement, dress-shirt clearance, and the rectangular luxury aesthetic.

Buy the Model 513 ($67.97) if: You want a statement square for casual, weekend, and fashion-forward contexts. You value personality, bold geometry, and the retro square aesthetic. You're building a casual rotation.

Buy both if: You need a dress watch and a casual fashion watch — together at $142.94, they cover completely different wardrobe roles with no overlap and no conflict.

Where to Buy

Price: $67.97 USD
Available: CILOA Model 513 at PrimeTimepiece

Color Variants: Blue (reviewed) — check listing for additional options

Included:

• 3-year warranty
• Free delivery
• Secure checkout
• 14-day returns

Explore More

The CILOA Range:

• CILOA Model 510 — $74.97, 8mm slim rectangle, formal/dress
• All CILOA Watches

Other Square Watches:

• MEGIR 2233 — $57.99, square chronograph, sport-casual

All Watch Collections:

• Quartz Watches
• Watches Under $200
• All Watches
• 3-Year Warranty Details
• Contact Our Watch Experts

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does this compare to the CILOA Model 510?
A: The 510 is an 8mm slim rectangle designed for dress and formal contexts at $74.97. The 513 is a 10mm square with a blue dial designed for casual and fashion-forward contexts at $67.97. Same movement and construction quality; completely different aesthetic purpose. See the full comparison table in the review above.

Q: Is the case actually square or rectangular?
A: The 513 is a genuine square case — equal width and height proportions, confirmed by the spec listing "Case Shape: Square."

Q: Can I swim or shower with it?
A: No — 3 Bar covers light splashes and rain only. Remove before showering, swimming, or any sustained water exposure.

Q: How accurate is Japanese quartz?
A: Approximately ±15 seconds per month — you'll set it once or twice a year at most. Significantly more accurate than CN quartz movements found in many budget watches.

Q: Is the blue dial versatile?
A: Yes — mid-depth blue pairs naturally with navy, grey, charcoal, earth tones, black, and white. It's a more dynamic choice than black without sacrificing versatility.

Q: Is this a good gift watch?
A: Excellent for casual, style-conscious recipients. The blue square aesthetic is distinctive and memorable. At $67.97, the perceived value is well above the price — it doesn't look like a $68 watch.

Q: What is the bracelet length, and will it fit me?
A: 18cm accommodates most wrists from approximately 6.5" to 7.5". For wrists outside this range, contact PrimeTimepiece about link adjustment options.

Conclusion: Retro Square Energy at Entry Pricing

The CILOA Model 513 is the catalog's casual character actor — the watch that doesn't need to justify itself with complication counts, water ratings, or movement credentials. It shows up with a square case and a blue dial and earns its place purely through personality. At $67.97 with Japanese quartz accuracy and a 3-year warranty, it delivers exactly what it promises: a bold, retro-inflected square quartz watch for buyers who know exactly the aesthetic they're after. If that's you, this is your watch.

Review conducted over 2 weeks of casual and smart casual daily wear by Cesar R for PrimeTimepiece. Watch provided for review. All opinions are honest and unbiased.