Review: Casio’s First-Ever Mechanical Watch Could Be A Game Changer For The Brand

For over 50 years, Casio has been synonymous with one thing: bulletproof quartz and digital watches that refuse to quit. From the ubiquitous F-91W to the virtually indestructible G-SHOCK lineup, the brand carved out a reputation built on accuracy, durability, and perhaps most important of all, value. So when Casio announced they were releasing their first-ever mechanical watch last year, the watch community did a collective double-take. Casio? Making an automatic?

And while some enthusiasts might view this as sacrilege (why would a brand known for near-perfect quartz accuracy venture into the inherently less accurate world of mechanical movements?), there’s actually a compelling case to be made here.

The Swiss brands that once defined mechanical watchmaking across all price points have largely retreated upmarket, leaving the modern entry-level mechanical space to Japanese manufacturers like Seiko and Orient.

And now with the Edifice EFK-100D, Casio is throwing its hat into that ring, testing the waters with a mechanical watch that pairs integrated-bracelet styling and surprisingly refined finishing with a price point that undercuts much of the aforementioned competition. 

The motorsports-inspired Edifice line, which has been around since the early 2000s as Casio’s analog sports watch range, does feel like the logical home for this experiment — even if the branding itself leaves something to be desired.

The question is: Can a brand built on digital dominance successfully pivot to mechanical, or is this just a novelty release destined to fade into obscurity? We’ve spent the past few months with the watch, and figured it was due time to weigh on our thoughts.

Right out of the box, the EFK-100D-7A exceeded our expectations in ways we weren’t really anticipating — although it did fall short in a few others. But before we get into that, we have to address a personal gripe: that Edifice logo plastered front and center on the dial. As total gearheads who appreciate Casio’s motorsports heritage and their partnerships with racing teams, we still can’t shake the feeling that the branding just doesn’t translate well aesthetically. It’s not offensive, and it’s certainly subjective, but it’s not exactly adding to the watch’s appeal here.

What did catch us off guard was how refined this watch feels on the wrist, especially at the $280 price point. The case finishing is sharp, the bracelet has heft to it, and the dial — well, we’ll get to that in a moment because it’s easily the star of the show. For a brand’s first foray into mechanical territory, Casio played it safe with the overall design language. This isn’t a bold, risk-taking release. It’s a handsome, integrated-style bracelet sports watch that slots comfortably between the Citizen Tsuyosa and Seiko 5 in terms of both styling and intent.

And that dial texture is doing some serious heavy lifting. The electroformed surface mimics the look of forged carbon with surprising success, creating these organic, swirling patterns that catch light beautifully. We couldn’t help but think of the Grand Seiko Snowflake when examining it up close — obviously this is the poor man’s version, and the execution isn’t anywhere near that level of artistry, but the spirit is there. For $280, the fact that we’re even making that comparison says something.

Casio specs the EFK-100D at 39mm in diameter, 43.5mm lug-to-lug, and 12.5mm thick. In practice, those numbers tell only part of the story. The case itself measures closer to 38.5mm when you put calipers to it, but the integrated bracelet design features fixed end links that effectively extend the lug-to-lug to just under 49mm. That extra real estate matters, and it’s something smaller-wristed folks should be aware of. On our wearer’s 6.75” wrist seen here for reference, it felt balanced and comfortable, but if you’re working with something sub-6.5 inches, you might find it a touch long.

At 12.5mm thick, this isn’t necessarily a slim watch, and it wears every bit of that height. The caseback sits noticeably proud, creating some visual bulk from the side. Compared to something like the Citizen Tsuyosa, which wears flatter and hugs the wrist more naturally, the EFK-100D definitely sits taller. Part of this can be attributed to the NH35A movement inside — it’s not exactly known for being svelte — but the case construction itself contributes to that top-heavy feel.

Where Casio does shine is in the finishing. The case features a mix of brushed and polished surfaces with angular transitions that feel distinctly Japanese in their execution. The brushwork is deep and linear, catching light in a way that adds visual interest without being too flashy. The polished bezel contrasts nicely against the brushed case flanks, and while the finishing obviously isn’t as sharp or refined as what you’d find on higher-priced Japanese watches, it’s legitimately impressive for the price. 

Of course, there are some inconsistencies if you go hunting for them — certain transitions between surfaces aren’t as crisp as they could be — but you’d have to be looking for those flaws to really notice them in daily wear.

The push-pull crown at 3 o’clock is unsigned, which feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. It operates smoothly and offers enough grip to wind and set the time without fumbling. Casio also managed to achieve 100m of water resistance without resorting to a screw-down crown, which is more than adequate for a sports watch that’s not pretending to be a dive tool.

Flip the watch over and you’re greeted with a display caseback showcasing the Seiko NH35A movement. The exhibition window is mineral crystal rather than sapphire, which is a cost-saving measure we can live with. The movement itself is finished to the typical NH35A standard — functional and unadorned, with Casio’s branded rotor being the only custom touch.

Okay, if there’s one area where the EFK-100D truly punches above its weight class, it has to be the dial. Casio employed an electroforming process to create a textured surface that mimics the appearance of forged carbon, and the result is really quite nice — especially at this price point. The swirling, irregular patterns catch and refract light differently depending on the angle, creating a sense of depth that makes the watch far more interesting to look at throughout the day.

On this white-dialed version, the texture reads almost like frost or crystalline formations in certain lighting. Applied hour markers surround the dial, each one polished on the sides and vertically brushed on top. This combination of finishes creates nice interplay when light hits the dial. 

The double marker at 12 o’clock aids in quick orientation, and the date window at 6 o’clock maintains symmetry. 

For the handset, Casio went with skeletonized hour and minute hands that feature a hollowed center section and polished beveled edges. They’re substantial enough to maintain presence against the textured dial, and the matte finish helps avoid glare issues.

Around the perimeter, a sloped chapter ring with minute markers adds yet another level of depth to the dial architecture. There’s a raised ring separating the chapter ring from the main dial surface, complete with subtle concentric ribbing that’s only visible in the right light.

Now for the bad news: the lume is practically non-existent. There’s a light application on just the tips of the hands, and that’s it. No lume on the hour markers, no lume plots at the quarters — just the bare minimum on the handset. And even that bare minimum barely glows before fading to nothing within just a few minutes. 

Casio chose to power this watch with the Seiko NH35A, a movement that’s become ubiquitous in the sub-$500 segment for good reason. It’s reliable, serviceable, affordable to replace if needed, and offers respectable specs: 21,600 vibrations per hour, 24 jewels, bidirectional winding, hacking seconds, and approximately 40 hours of power reserve. It’s the Honda Civic of watch movements — dependable but uninspiring.

Casio quotes an accuracy of -35 to +45 seconds per day for the EFK-100D, which is actually worse than Seiko’s own specification of -20 to +40 seconds per day for the NH35A. 

But here’s the thing: For a brand with Casio’s manufacturing prowess and vertical integration, using a third-party movement feels like a huge missed opportunity, and one that the watch community has also been very vocal about.

This is a company that designs and produces its own quartz modules, develops proprietary solar charging systems, and engineers movements tough enough to survive G-SHOCK torture tests. The fact that they went with an off-the-shelf Seiko caliber is certainly pragmatic — it keeps costs down and parts are readily available — but it also means the EFK-100D is competing on the exact same mechanical footing as dozens of other watches in this price range with no real technical advantage.

One of the biggest surprises of the EFK-100D is how well-executed the bracelet is. We went in expecting typical Casio bracelet fare — functional but uninspiring, with a stamped clasp and rattly links. What we got instead was a legitimately solid integrated-style bracelet with a milled clasp that feels like it belongs on a much more expensive watch.

The bracelet features an H-link design with brushed outer surfaces and polished facets running through the center links. The finishing continues on both the top and bottom of the links, with beveled edges on the undersides that help prevent the pinching you sometimes get with cheaper bracelets. The links are secured with friction pins rather than screws, which is fine for this price point.

The bracelet tapers from 21.5mm at the lugs down to 17.5mm at the clasp, which is a decent taper ratio that keeps things balanced on the wrist. The milled clasp is also a nice touch at this price point, complete with a double push-button release and smooth action. 

So, as we always ask, is the Casio Edifice EFK-100D-7A worth it? For most people entering the mechanical watch world, absolutely. 

This is one of the most accessible ways to get a well-finished watch from a globally recognized brand without breaking the bank. It’s not perfect — the lume is abysmal, the sapphire crystal could use some anti-reflective coating, and the NH35A movement is uninspiring. But it delivers where it counts: build quality, dial execution, and overall wrist presence.

This feels like a watch that Casio made to test the waters rather than make a definitive statement. It’s safe, it’s competent, and it checks boxes without taking risks. We’d have loved to see Casio take a swing at their own mechanical movement, but that’s wanting more ambition rather than dissatisfaction with what’s here.

This is for someone who wants a solid mechanical daily wearer without the pretense or price tag of Swiss alternatives. It’s for the person graduating from a G-SHOCK who wants something a bit more refined but doesn’t want to navigate the overwhelming options in the micro-brand space. It’s a gateway watch in the best sense — well-made enough to hold value but affordable enough that pulling the trigger doesn’t require soul-searching.

Recap

Casio Edifice EFK-100D

Casio’s first mechanical watch is a bit of a surprise, but the Edifice EFK-100D makes a strong case for itself by combining solid build quality, a standout dial, and a very approachable price. It’s not a bold statement piece, but as a well-finished, no-nonsense gateway into mechanical watches from a trusted brand, it largely succeeds despite a few obvious compromises.

Pros

• Strong value for money at the sub-$300 price point
• Excellent dial texture
• Impressive case and bracelet finishing for an entry-level mechanical
• Solid integrated bracelet with a milled clasp
• Comfortable and balanced wear on medium-sized wrists
• Reliable and easily serviceable NH35A movement
• 100 meters of water resistance without excess bulk

Cons

• Weak and short-lasting lume performance
• Generic third-party movement with no technical distinction
• Wears thicker and taller than competitors like the Citizen Tsuyosa
• Integrated bracelet increases effective lug-to-lug length
• Uninspiring and slightly awkward Edifice branding on the dial
• Lacks bold design or technical ambition for a debut mechanical watch

Learn More: Casio