An entire generation has grown up knowing Casio as the master of quartz. From the Casotron in the 1970s to the countless G-Shocks and digital classics, Casio has always been the brand of batteries, circuits, and unshakable accuracy. If you wanted gears, springs, and ticking escapements, you looked elsewhere.

That story changed in June 2025. Casio announced the Edifice EFK series, its very first true mechanical watch. It launched in Japan and quickly made its way to the US in July. The lineup includes three stainless steel models with dials in white, blue, and black (the black version gets a carbon-inspired look), plus a limited edition forged carbon case version on FKM rubber straps. Prices will start under 26,000 INR once it arrives in India, or about 300 dollars currently in the global market, with a slight premium if you want the forged carbon dial.

For a company that has sold hundreds of millions of quartz watches, this is nothing short of a landmark moment.

First Impressions

The design language here is unmistakably Japanese modernism. Think sharp planes, crisp light breaks, and that familiar motorsport DNA that has long defined the Edifice line. The surfaces alternate between deep vertical brushing and bright polished facets, running cleanly along the flanks and across the angled bezel.

Size-wise, Casio has nailed the sweet spot. The case measures 39 mm in diameter, 12.5 mm thick, and about 43.5 mm across the wrist. If you count the full reach of the first bracelet link, the watch measures 48.5 mm, which explains why it feels more substantial than the lug-to-lug measurement suggests.

Water resistance is rated at 100 ATM. The crown is a push-pull type with wide grooves and a polished face. It looks elegant, but it can be a little slippery if you need to grip it properly. Up front, Casio gives us a sapphire crystal, which is a very welcome upgrade at this price. The downside is that there does not seem to be much anti-reflective coating, so glare creeps in at some angles. Flip it over and you get a mineral display case back, which still does the job of showing off the movement clearly.

The Bracelet: Hit or Miss?

The bracelet design is semi-integrated, which means it flows naturally out of the case and looks like a sculpted extension of the midcase. It feels solid, with vertical brushing on the links and polished accents along the sides. The clasp is milled, sturdy, and uses a twin push-release system. It closes with a reassuring snap that feels more premium than the price tag would suggest.

Now here comes the tricky part. There are no half links, and the clasp only has two micro-adjust holes. For some wrists, that means you might be stuck between “a little too tight” and “slightly loose.” On top of that, because of the integrated design, strap swapping is not straightforward. You cannot just throw on your favorite NATO or leather strap. Unless Casio releases official options or you go custom, you are limited.

The forged carbon case version does come on a comfortable FKM rubber strap, but it is not clear yet if you can swap that across the entire range. For collectors who enjoy digging into their strap drawer and giving their watch different looks, this limitation might sting. After all, if the only goal was to tell time, quartz would do it better. The whole charm of a mechanical watch is the emotional connection, and for many enthusiasts, part of that fun is experimenting with straps.

The Dial: Texture and Restraint

Casio really leaned into texture with these dials. The white, blue, and green models feature electroformed surfaces that mimic the swirling patterns of forged carbon. They catch the light beautifully and give the watch a sense of depth.

The black dial in the steel lineup uses actual forged carbon, which looks stealthy and modern, though it does sacrifice a bit of legibility when paired with the darker hands and markers.

Around the edge sits a slanted minute track. Applied hour markers feature polished edges with a textured center strip, a subtle detail that rewards a closer look. The hands are semi-skeletonised with beveled edges, adding just enough flair without going overboard.

Lume is only found on the tips of the hour and minute hands. The seconds hand is unlumed, and the markers themselves are left bare. At six o’clock, a neatly framed date window balances the dial, with minimal text above and below. The end result is crisp, modern, and refreshingly restrained for a brand that sometimes cannot resist packing features onto a dial.

How It Wears

On a six-inch wrist, four links had to come out to achieve a good fit. The pin and collar system Casio used makes sizing a bit fiddly, especially if you have bigger fingers. With only two micro-adjust positions on the clasp, you may find yourself choosing between “comfortably snug” and “comfortably loose.”

The case itself keeps the lugs fairly straight, so it tends to sit on top of the wrist rather than hugging around it. That makes the head of the watch feel slightly top-heavy if you wear it on the looser side. That said, it is perfectly wearable. One tester even played tennis with it on, and it held up just fine.

Under the Hood

Casio lists the movement as the Caliber 5755, but the story underneath is more familiar. It is actually the Seiko NH35A, also known as the Seiko 4R35. This movement is well-known across the industry as a reliable workhorse. It beats at 3 Hz, has 24 jewels, offers both hacking and hand-winding, uses Seiko’s bi-directional magic lever system, and gives you about 40 hours of power reserve.

Some Casio fans were understandably disappointed that the company did not debut this milestone with a true in-house movement. But let’s be honest, this was a tactical choice. By going with a proven and robust calibre, Casio avoids the growing pains of launching an untested in-house design. It also buys them the time and freedom to work on something of their own behind the scenes. Many believe Casio is quietly preparing for that moment. If demand for the EFK holds strong, a proprietary calibre could be two to five years away.

The Verdict

Let’s be clear: nothing here is revolutionary. The NH35A is one of the most widely used movements in the industry. The design is modern and clean, but not avant-garde. The bracelet is good, but not flawless. And yet, the Edifice EFK as a whole works beautifully.

What makes this watch special is not one standout feature, but the way all the little details come together. The brushing and polishing play with light. The clasp clicks shut with confidence. The dial balances texture with restraint. Everything you touch feels thoughtful, even if not extravagant.

No, it is not perfect. But it is also very easy to like. For lifelong Casio collectors, this is history on the wrist. For newcomers, it is a friendly first step into mechanical watches from a brand that has always been a household name.

Casio has finally joined the dance floor of mechanical horology, and if this is only their first step, the next ones could be very exciting.

🛍️ Buy the CASIO Edifice EFK

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All images are sourced from the official Casio website.