Hands-On With The Highly Impressive New Casio Edifice EFK-100

Casio is probably one of the strongest brands in the watch world. It is so, however, primarily in the digital-watch world with its G-Shock sub-brand. The Japanese company has produced analog watches for a long time already under its other sub-brand, Edifice. Those watches always came with battery- and solar-powered quartz movements. Well, no more! Casio just entered the mechanical-watch market with the Edifice EFK-100 collection.

I got a chance to go hands-on with the full range of five debut models. Join me for a closer look at a new player in the world of entry-level mechanical watches.

Casio Edifice

The Casio Edifice sub-brand has been around since the early 2000s. It represents a line of analog watches alongside Casio’s digital collections. The brand always featured distinctly modern, sporty styling, often inspired by motorsports.

Ref. EQB-600D, a more typical Edifice

Edifice’s technical nature is reflected by features such as solar-powered quartz movements and “Waveceptors,” automatically syncing to atomic clocks via radio waves. You might find examples pairing digital and analog displays as well.

The brand may not be overly prominent among seasoned watch enthusiasts, but it is omnipresent in malls, mainstreet jewelers, and department stores. You may have also spotted the motorsports connection in Edifice’s sponsorship of Scuderia Toro Rosso/Scuderia AlphaTauri, Honda Racing, and Nismo.

The new Casio Edifice EFK-100 series

On to the new mechanical Casio Edifice EFK-100 series. As mentioned, these represent Casio’s first foray into mechanical timekeeping. I would consider this a smart move, as the major Swiss brands are rapidly vacating the entry-level segment. For reference, we are talking about a collection priced between €279 and €449 here. You could not get your average mechanical watch serviced for that kind of money nowadays.

All EFK-100 models measure 39mm across by 43.5mm long. However, due to the design of the integrated bracelet, you should also count the fixed first center links, bringing the total length to 49mm. Four of the five reference feature fully stainless steel cases, with the remaining model coming in forged carbon and PVD-coated steel. You get a sapphire crystal up top and a mineral crystal in the display case back. Casio rates the watches’ water resistance at an ample 100 meters.

Inside ticks the trusty automatic Seiko caliber NH35. Although some might have expected Casio to enter the market with an affordable in-house caliber, I think this makes much more sense. The movement is tried and true, reliable, and broadly appreciated in the segment. It ticks at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers 41 hours of power reserve from a full wind.

The Casio Edifice EFK-100 dial options

The new Casio Edifice EFK-100 comes in three basic forms. First, there’s the EFK-100D, the most affordable option at €279. These stainless steel models come with electroformed dials, emulating the look and texture of forged carbon. Succesfully, I might add. You can have your pick of silver, blue, or green.

Second, there is the Casio Edifice EFK-100CD. Technically identical to the 100D, this variant features a real bare forged carbon dial. Naturally, this ups the price a bit to €299. Lastly, the EFK-100XPB pairs a forged carbon dial with blacked-out markers and hands, as well as a forged carbon and black PVD-treated steel case. This model comes in at €449.

All dials have a raised ring around the perimeter, adorned with subtle concentric ribs and a sloped chapter ring with the minute track. The applied hour markers come with a thin filling of lume. A date window at 6 o’clock completes the look.

Wearing the Casio Edifice EFK-100

I found the Casio Edifice EFK-100 to wear very well, albeit a bit atypically. The 39mm diameter is spot on, feeling, for lack of a better word, neutral in perceived size. By the way, the forged carbon model is a millimeter larger, at 40mm. What makes it wear atypically is the combination of thickness and length. The thickness comes in at 12.4mm, which isn’t slim, but it is completely acceptable for this sporty design.

However, the watch feels longer than its official 43.5mm lug-to-lug suggests. This is caused by the fixed center links that stick out and result in a total length of about 49mm. I found all EFK-100 models to wear comfortably and elegantly on my 18cm wrist. I can imagine, though, that it would be a tad long for people with small wrists.

Overall, the EFK-100 looks and feels like a versatile sports watch. It has plenty of wrist presence, but it isn’t so overpowering as to limit its pairing with different attire.

What we think of Casio’s first foray into mechanical watches

I have to say that I find the Casio Edifice EFK-100 collection nothing short of impressive. The first thing to stand out is the finishing quality. The brushing, in particular, is sharp and tactile. It looks and feels way better than you should realistically be able to expect at this price.

Casio strikes a clever balance, spending where it matters and saving costs elsewhere. You don’t get a quick-release bracelet or toolless micro-adjustment, for instance, and friction pins hold the bracelet links together. I would not expect anything else, to be honest. I like that Casio prioritized finishing and very appealing dial textures and finishes.

All in all, these watches look and feel much more expensive than they are. Pair that with versatile, contemporary styling, and I think Casio may be on to something here. I, for one, look forward to seeing what else the brand will bring to the table in the future. If the Casio Edifice EFK-100 is to be interpreted as a statement of intent, we have a serious new player in the segment!

What do you think of the new Casio Edifice EFK-100 series? Let us know in the comments section below!

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