Casio Edifice Automatic Review: Does The First Mechanical Casio Live Up?

When you think of Casio, the first thing that comes to mind is likely digital or quartz watches with a nostalgic bend. But in 2025, the brand that’s been synonymous with accessible quartz pieces from its inception made a move that subverted all expectations. Yep, Casio dropped its first-ever automatic mechanical watch. Now that we’ve had a bit of time to process the initial shock of that, with a clearer head, I’m going to walk you through how we got here, what Casio’s first foray into automatic timekeeping has to offer (and what details left more to be desired), and some ponderings onthe Casio Edifice automatic represents for both the brand and the watch industry at large, down below.

[toc-section heading="History And Context"] 

Casio has a somewhat oddball history in the context of watchmaking, especially when held up against the typical Swiss-oriented legacies. Founded in Tokyo in 1946, the company had nothing to do with watches at the start. Instead, it began in the electronics and manufacturing industry, making tiny components for devices and other objects. Its first big design success was actually a metal cigarette holder ring dubbed the “Yubiwa Pipe,” which allowed its user to not only use their hands while smoking, but also easily smoke their cigarettes right up to their base (cigarettes were in short supply in the Post-WWII years). The funds generated from this ring pipe were invested towards Casio’s next big hit, the world’s first all-electronic compact calculator: the Casio 14-A, which made its debut in 1957. To put it mildly, this is a moment that changed everything. 

In 1974, when the so-called Quartz Crisis was already sending shockwaves through the watchmaking establishment, Casio decided it was time to take its electronics know-how and apply it to its own timekeeping product. The first Casio watch, aptly named the Casiotron QW02, used the advent of quartz to its advantage. It was from this very first watch that Casio honed in on a technology-first approach to watchmaking. The first Casiotron put its emphasis on practicality and functionality, opting for the easy reading of a digital display, the accuracy of quartz, packed with an automatic calendar only needing to be adjusted once a year to account for leap years. It’s important to note that in the early 1970s, LCD and Quartz technology were still relatively expensive to produce, so the Casiotron was not positioned in the entry-level price tier we associate with the brand today. The affordable, mass-market appeal of Casio would be established in the 1980s, when the brand upped its production scale, the technology became dramatically cheaper to make, and Casio began introducing Resin-cased watches, like the iconic Calculator watches, and added the sub-brand G-SHOCK to its repertoire. 

Here in the 21st century, Casio has maintained that technology and functionality-first design ethos. We’ve seen the brand become a leader in adopting atomic timekeeping and solar-powered quartz modules, expand on the rugged toughness and impressive suite of functionsand has a catalog that ranges from entry-level, accessibly-priced digital watches to pieces that are tactical and made to take a beating. This mix of approachability and dynamic range is what so many people love about the brand. So, when Casio flipped the script with its automatic mechanical Edifice EFK-100 series, it was only natural for some enthusiasts out there to feel resistance towards this change, more comfortable with the brand staying in its well-defined lane rather than taking what some see as an unnecessary detour down another path.

[toc-section heading="Case And Wear"] 

One thing to note about theCasio Edifice Automatic is that it's positioned within the brand’s Edifice collection. Since launching in the early 2000s, Casio has defined its Edifice line as “analog performance” oriented. Traditionally, this collection has had a motorsports bend, and it's a primary vehicle for the brand to push past the digital display pieces we typically think of when the Casio name is thrown around, opting instead for analog and ana-digi timepieces. Despite, quite obviously, not being a chronograph, the EFK100 series, according to the brand, ties in the motorsports-inspired roots instead through design, materials, and details. Stylistically, I would place Casio’s first automatic watch in the everyday carry category.

The Casio Edifice Automatic line launched with three distinct models, the nuances of which I will get into in the following section. Across the board, we’re working within the language of integrated bracelet sports watches, with dimensions that are quite compelling on paper. Measuring 39mm in diameter with a 43.5mm and 12.5mm lug-to-lug, these watches promise to be quite the versatile wear for a pretty wide range of wrist sizes. There’s a lot to admire here about the case architecture and the variation of finishing techniques, which range from the brightly polished round bezel to the brushed finishes of the angular case and bracelet. Speaking of the bracelet, we’re working with an H-Link bracelet with a push-button clasp. Each of the links can be removed, and there are some microadjustment capabilities on that clasp, but both of these details do have some room for improvement in getting the fit just right. Also, tying back into the sports-watch factor, this piece is water resistant 100 meters. Not too shabby.

[toc-section heading="Dial"] 

A far cry from some of the outrageous business that can be found across earlier pieces in the Edifice collection, the EFK-100 series instead opts for streamlined minimalism. The real novelty of this new Casio venture is the automatic movement within, so the restraint dial-side is quite fitting. But that doesn’t mean that the EFK-100 series is a snooze. Functionally speaking, this is a simple three-hander with an added date window above six o’clock and a recessed minutes track around the perimeter. The hours are marked with applied indices that mimic the brushing of the case, luminous sword hands, and, as a premium touch, we also have a sapphire crystal protecting the dial. Please note that there isn’t any anti-reflective coating on the crystal, so it's something to be aware of if that bothers you. 

The EFK-100 series, as it stands, features a richly textured dial across the board, though there are some model-specific differences to note. The three original models debuted in dark blue, white, and a black model with an actual forged carbon fiber composite dial. Though the blue and white models aren’t made with forged carbon, the finish of the blue and white models is intended to call to the variation in surface texture that’s a callingcard of the premium material. 

[toc-section heading="Movement"] 

Now on to the big story of the EFK-100 Series, which also happens to be the source of much of its contention. For its first automatic mechanical watch, Casio has equipped the line with the Seiko NH35A automatic caliber. This movement does not exactly amaze with its accuracy rating, which the brand cites as –35/+45 seconds per day (though Seiko rates its own movement slightly more accurate at –20 to +40 seconds per day). This caliber has a power reserve of 40 hours, has manual winding and hacking capabilities, and a frequency of 3 Hz. Though I wouldn’t call it the most sophisticatedly decorated movement out there, it is on display through the exhibition caseback, which is in mineral glass.

[toc-section heading="Final Thoughts"] 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I can definitely understand some disappointment with Casio’s use of calibers here for its first automatic mechanical watch. Totally fair. But I will remind you that, at the end of the day, theCasio Edifice Automatic is priced at $300. And that’s for the most premium, forged carbon fiber dial model. For that price, I think Casio gets many of the essential details, like the overall design, wearability, and intrigue, right. I think many people agree with my sentiment, given that, at the time of writing, all of the original models are sold out on Casio’s website. I think with the EFK-100 series, we’re seeing Casio do a temperature check on its audience’s interest in venturing into mechanical watchmaking. Ultimately, I think it's a bold first attempt, with plenty of room to grow into and expand upon. You can learn more at casio.com