Inspired by the flash and detail of a high-end sports car, the new Casio Edifice ECBS100D – 1A is made to put on the wrist the speed and precision we all seek in cars and watches. It is indeed a hi-tech and dynamic watch that brings the wearer closer to a premium modern watch without having to hit the bank. Priced at only $260, Casio Edifice ECBS100D – 1A makes top brands like Tissot, Tag Heuer, and Longines, have a run for their money. But why?
Modern Timekeeping
World Time, Solar Powered, Bluetooth Compatible, Multiple Alarms, and much more (full list of features below). If these features don’t remind you of a modern watch, I don’t know what you’re after. Although a smartwatch would be a good fit these days, semi-conventional watches like this one are presented to us as an escape from the ubiquitous smart technology. Instead, Casio Edifice ECBS100D – 1A brings the best of both worlds. As an analog-digital watch, it is quite savvy. In addition to the above-mentioned features, Casio Edifice ECBS100D-1A can also transfer stopwatch data to your smartphone to the millisecond, map your time and position, as well as locate your phone with the touch of a button.
Made For The Busy Traveler
I would recommend the watch to people who are constantly traveling. Casio Edifice ECBS100-1A, thanks to its World Time function, allows the wearer to keep track of multiple time zones at a glance. Whether you’re city-hopping or want to set an alarm when the stock market in Japan opens, this watch allows you to. And with supreme precision. Thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity, you can sync the watch with your smartphone and the time will be updated if it has lost or gotten a few seconds each month.
And no, you don’t necessarily need to be a pilot or part of the cabin crew to wear this watch. It is perfectly fine for everyday wear.
Deciphering The Watch’s Dial
There is plenty going on the dial, and we can decipher it for you. To begin with, the design of the watch drives inspiration from racing cars. That is by no means a surprise for Casio as the Japanese manufacturer has been sponsoring the Scuderia AlphaTauri Formula 1 team since 2016. The racing theme, however, is not pushed to the limits, making the watch suitable for everyday wear.
As for the dial itself, what prevails is the black metallic mesh, which encapsulates a sports car grilles. It is an interesting texture that houses the other elements. Like the speedometer evoked at the 9 o’clock position (actually the countdown timer). Other details include two digital displays: one at 3 and the other at 6 o’clock. Legibility is also not a concern. Courtesy of the oversized lumed markers and expansive hands. In addition, an LED backlight enhances nighttime legibility for digital displays. It is activated by quickly tapping the pusher at 2 o’clock.
Watch’s Functionality And Casio App
Undoubtedly a tool watch, the new Casio Edifice ECBS100D-1A does more than just keep track of time. In addition to keeping track of hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date, it does also have a stopwatch and a world time. That is just the tip of the iceberg.
To add, the watch features 38 preloaded time zones, while connecting it with the Casio app from your smartphone can unlock in total time in 300 cities worldwide. Other good reasons to download the app include: managing your alarm settings, mapping your time and position, and finding your phone by a quick push of the app. Not to forget that you can also sync your watch to the local time when traveling from one time zone to another. That is done automatically.
One last feature that you might find interesting include the watch’s hands. They are calibrated to shift out of the way when digital screens are in use. It allows you to clearly view the information without the hands getting in the way.
Battery Life And Solar Charging
The world has just recently turned its eyes to renewable energy and its long-lasting benefits to our planet. Starting from an increase in popularity of electric cars, to the World Summit on Climate hosted by President Biden where countries from all over the world pledged to reduce carbon emissions and reach carbon neutrality by 2060. That has little to do with Casio, let alone this specific model under review. However, the philosophy is the same. The Casio Edifice ECBS100D-1A is powered by light.
The Japanese manufacturer has for a long time now incorporated rechargeable batteries into their watches. Called the “Tough Solar Technology”, it allows watches to be powered not only by the sunlight but even from indoor fluorescent lighting. No need to worry about the watch’s power-hungry functions as the timepiece comes with an incredibly long battery life. On full charge can provide up to 7 months of smooth functionality. Even if the watch is stowed away in the darkness. It can go up to 18 months if put in power-saving mode. Someone tell Apple to come tomorrow to class and start taking notes.
“I Like Em Big”
There is nothing wrong with loving and wearing big watches. As in this case, our Casio Edifice ECBS100D-1A is a quite substantial watch. Measuring 46mm in diameter (50mm lug to lug), this watch is simply not made for a small wrist.
However, with the current trends, watch brands from Switzerland to Japan are setting the new standard of a watch’s size. For example, if today you are wearing a 34 to 36 mm watch, chances are people will mistake it for a woman’s watch. Although 50 years from today this size was normal for an average man’s wrist (this is why vintage watches are small); preferences today have jumped to 41 up to 44 mm watches. So if you were looking for a downside of this watch, if it can be considered as such, is the size. No matter the trends or your wrist size, a 46mm watch will definitely start a conversation.
The Slim Design Tempers Size
Although at first sight, the watch appears big, it sits well on the wrist and that is thanks to a groundbreaking thickness. The ECBS100D-1A is by no means petite, however, its size is balanced by a slim design (9.8mm in height) and a lightweight of 138g. That makes the watch suitable for everyday wear, as it is intended to be.
The case’s stainless-steel construction is strong, as expected, and the combination of brushed and polished surfaces, gently curved mid-case, and chamfered corners are well-executed, especially given the sub-$300 price range. Most importantly, the pushers provide exactly the appropriate resistance while still providing a reassuring sensation.
Case Construct And Materials
This is still a $260 watch. Given the price-quality ratio, many proclaimed luxury brands should get the contacts Casio does business with. As it always happens with Casio, you are getting a fine watch for what feels like a bargain. Again, materials and case construct are some of Casio’s strongest points. The new Casio Edifice ECBS100D-1A uses stainless steel for the case and bracelet. The latter is a 3-link bracelet that is secure, the clasp is easy to operate, and most importantly, it wraps well around the wrist. If it was me, I would gladly experiment with the looks and opt for an aftermarket strap in leather or rubber.
As expected, this time Casio has preferred to go with a more high-end option regarding the glass. The new Edifice ECBS100D-1A incorporates a sapphire crystal that is treated with a glare-proof coating.
In A Nutshell – Casio Edifice ECBS100D-1A Specifications:
- Tough Solar (Solar powered)
- Double LED light
- Mobile link (Wireless linking using Bluetooth®)
- Hand shift feature (Hands move out of the way to deliver a clear view of digital display contents)
- World time (38 cities, access 300 cities when connected)
- 1/100-second stopwatch
- 5 daily alarms (with Progress beeper)
- Hourly time signal
- Countdown timer
- Power Saving (display goes blank to save power when the watch is left in the dark)
- Day display (days of the week available in six languages)
- Full auto-calendar (to the year 2099)
- 12/24-hour format
- Button operation tone on/off
- Battery level indicator
- Progress beeper on/off
- Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month (with no mobile link function)
- Approx. battery operating time: 7 months on rechargeable battery, 18 months in power saving mode.
- 100-meter water resistance
In Conclusion: Is Casio Edifice ECBS100D-1A A Good Watch?
You might have seen many G-Shocks already, but Casio’s multitudinous offerings don’t stop there. The Japanese manufacturer knows well that the uber-tough design is not for everyone, and this is where the Edifice comes into play. The new addition to the collection, model ECBS100D-1A, is eminently functional, with a simple design language, suitable for everyday wear. The racing car motifs make it an even more interesting watch, followed by Bluetooth connectivity and 100 meters of water resistance. Given that you are getting a fist full of technical wizardry, the watch is well worth it.
