But $300 sure is a lot for it, although my impression has always been that "G-Shock" watches were inexplicably more expensive than they look, presumably as a branding thing. This is something I'd wait for to go on sale.
I feel Casio is taking us to the cleaners here.
Also note that that US$50 price does not include taxes. So depending on what state you're in, the actual price you pay could be 10% or more higher.
You might be. OTOH, you have far more robust consumer protection laws - ISTR reading that UK law requires that you be able to return a product to the place where you bought it for two years or so and get warranty service or replacement. Don't know how it works in EU countries, but that was a pre-Brexit anecdote.
In the US, there are numerous products for which any warranty service requires you to send it to the manufacturer. Only DOA can be addressed at the point of purchase.