As you know, the Casio Edifice brand is positioned as an auto racing brand: such is its aesthetics (for example, the design of the indicators on the dial resembles the dashboard of a car, in some versions the colors of racing teams are used, etc.), such are the functional features (stopwatches, timers, memory for a large number of circles, special possibilities for processing this information in a smartphone synchronized with the clock).
True, the numerous collections of Casio Edifice are very, very diverse, and there are many among them that can be more likely attributed to watch classics. There are even models that are not equipped with chronograph functions, and it is precisely these functions that first of all give a watch - any, not only Casio - a sport direction.
General characteristics of watches Casio Edifice EFV
Casio Edifice EFV watches belong to such collections, with a predominance of classic style. The vast majority of their models are characterized by simple, purely basic functionality - three hands and a date window, sometimes with a chronograph, sometimes without, analog (without electronic windows) indication, as well as moderate dimensions.
Outwardly, especially on the wrist, Casio EFV watches may well resemble expensive and very expensive mechanical watches from renowned Swiss firms, while remaining incomparably more affordable in price and absolutely flawless in quality. However, there are exceptions, one of which we will also discuss in this review.
All Casio Edifice EFV watches are made in round steel cases with water resistance up to 100 meters, that is, the watch is not afraid of splashes, rain, swimming in water and under water, or diving - just not too deep, without scuba gear. The glasses of the EFV watch are mineral. Such "advanced" technologies as a solar battery and Bluetooth-synchronization with a smartphone are not available in this watch. But the batteries are definitely of high quality, with a considerable service life.
Let's move on to considering several models of Casio EFV watches, namely: three-hand Casio Edifice EFV-100 and Casio Edifice EFV-120, chronographs Casio Edifice EFV-550 and Casio Edifice EFV-560 and the very exception - analog-digital Casio Edifice EFV-C100 ...
Noble simplicity: Casio Edifice EFV-100, 120
The Casio Edifice 100 watch can be considered the standard of the classics. The dial has three central hands (hour, minute and second) with the signature Neobrite luminescent coating applied on them, which glows in the dark for a long time, plus a date window at the 3 o'clock position.
The dimensions are also classic: case diameter 42 mm, thickness 10,9 mm. The watch is very light, on a leather strap (the version, for example, Edifice EFV 100L 1A - the L index after the numbers “100” indicates just such a strap) it weighs only 63 grams. And the options on a steel bracelet (Casio Edifice EFV-100D-1A - here the letter D speaks about steel) “pull” 125 g, which is also not at all difficult.
It is also worth noting that the leather of the strap of the L versions is smooth and tactilely pleasant. On the case, polished surfaces alternate with satin ones - this is also characteristic of the age-old watch classics, giving the watch's appearance an undoubted nobility. The date display for months with fewer than 31 days will have to be manually corrected using the extended crown. Its other extended position will allow the clock hands to be adjusted. By the way, the head is protected, and the arrows are sharply pointed. The battery in the Casio Edifice 100 is rated for three years. Its replacement is facilitated by the fact that the back cover is made of screw.
Well, reasonable equipment, perfectly balanced design, high quality, reliability, durability and a nice price. This efv100d2a model is on steel bracelet and with a blue dial - it costs about 100 euros. However, the version with a black dial Casio Edifice EFV-100D-1A (1A - a sign of black, 2A - blue) will cost exactly the same amount. And on a leather strap (Casio Edifice EFV-100L) - even 85 euros.
Casio Edifice EFV-120 watches are almost no different. But this "almost" is a very nice feature: the 120s have a rotary bezel... Moreover, it is rotatable only in one direction, counterclockwise, just like in professional diving models. This direction is shown on the bezel. Likewise the numbers (60-minute scale) and finally a word explaining why you need to rotate. This word is Countdown, that is, countdown. Yes, the Casio Edifice EFV-120 watch is equipped with a countdown timer, which is purely mechanical, and even stylish.
This timer works like this: Let's say you want to count down 20 minutes. Rotate the bezel to align the 20 mark with the minute hand. When this hand reaches the highlighted triangle on the bezel - that's it, the countdown is over. True, there will be no sounds, you will have to look at the clock. But the bezel itself rotates with distinct and pleasing clicks. Yes, and it is pleasant to the touch, grooved like that. Note: real "divers" use such a system to control the remaining dive time - after all, the supply of breathing gas is always limited. These watches, as already mentioned, are not deep-sea at all, they do not have enough water resistance for this. However, the function is useful.
Edifice EFV-120 case diameter is 41 mm, thickness is 10,4 mm. The crown is protected, the case back is screwed down. The battery lasts for 3 years. The Casio Edifice EFV-120BL-1A, with a black IP coating, black dial and black leather strap with red lining, costs 110 euros.
Closer to sports: Casio Edifice EFV-550, 560
Who would argue: the presence of a chronographic function in itself brings a watch closer to a sports one, because in ordinary life accurate measurement of individual time intervals is required, to put it mildly, infrequently. But the function is popular, and the performance of the Casio Edifice 550 and Casio 560 Edifice watches is distinctly classic, not much distinguishing them from super-prestigious and super-elite mechanical chronographs.
Central hour, minute and second hands (with phosphor, Neobrite system), date aperture (here it is at 4 o'clock), small seconds hand (6 o'clock position), split-chronograph counters. However, here is the difference, and a significant one!
Firstly, a 60-minute drive (at the 9 o'clock position): it has a non-standard design, has two concentric scales (from 0 to 30 minutes and from 30 to 60) and, accordingly, an arrow with two tips directed diametrically opposite to each other. friend. Obviously, this solution saved space on the dial and did not make the counter too small.
The second difference is the hand at the 12 o'clock position. It records tenths of a second, which exacerbates the sporty aspect of the model. After all, we have Edifice in front of us, and this obliges! The crown is still protected, the case back is screwed down, the battery lasts for 3 years. But the dimensions are larger than those of the three-pointer: diameter 47 mm, thickness 12,1 mm. And more weight: on a polymer strap - 96 g. All this, in fact, is characteristic of modern mechanical chronographs ...
As for the price, it is just not higher. For example, the aforementioned model on a polymer strap (Casio Edifice EFV-550P-1A, black IP-coated bezel, black dial) costs around 100 euros.
Here is the next modification - the Casio Edifice EFV-560 chronograph - a little more expensive. But first, what are its differences. And they are significant, although at first glance they are not very noticeable. However, let's take a closer look. The date window has returned to the 3 o'clock position. Well, okay, it's not that important. The chronograph drive at 9 o'clock has acquired the usual round shape. And at the same time "shortened" to 30 minutes. And at "12 o'clock" there is not a sub-second counter at all, but an ordinary sub-dial of a 24-hour format.
Why did the price rise? It is difficult to answer. Be that as it may, the dimensions of the EFV-560 are again closer to the traditional ones - the diameter is 44 mm, the thickness is 11 mm. The same mineral glass, the same battery for three years, the same crown and case back - protected and screwed down accordingly. And the price of the Casio Edifice EFV-6L-560A model (black dial, black leather strap) is about 1-120 euros rubles.
The very exception: Casio Edifice EFV-C100
In all honesty, it’s hard to say why Casio ranked the C100 series as an EFV. The differences are cardinal! Well, by the way, this is the business of the authors, and our business is to tell about this watch.
So, this is a chronograph, but the indication is ana-diji, that is, analog-digital. Moreover, there are not three central hands, but two: the second is absent. Looking for the seconds of the current time? No question, we press the upper left button - and here they are, in the electronic window at the bottom left. Together with again hours and minutes. In another mode, this window contains calendar indicators (date, day of the week, month), accurate up to December 31, 2099 inclusive.
Other functions: world time (29 time zones, 30 cities), 3 alarms, a countdown timer for 24 hours (here it is no longer mechanical, but electronic), the ability to turn daylight saving time on / off, 12-hour and 24-hour formats. And, of course, the split-chronograph is full-fledged, for 24 hours, with an accuracy of 1/100 sec. Now this is already quite an auto racing style! And the design of the dial in it is very much associated with the dashboard and the steering wheel. By the way, the backlighting is still the same as Neobrite.
Another high-tech "feature" is a notebook for 30 entries, each with 8 letters and 12 numbers.
The case - in diameter, it is quite in the general range of EFV - 46,6 mm, but in thickness it stands out - as much as 14,2 mm. But it's worth it. Moreover, the battery stands out completely from the row: its charge is designed for 10 (ten!) Years of operation. Which, by the way, is clearly marked on the dial: 10 YEARS BATTERY.
The watch is offered in several versions. As always, Casio EFV C100D is on a steel bracelet, with Casio EFV C100D 1A with a black dial, and Casio Edifice EFV C100D 2A with a blue one. Accordingly, Casio Edifice C100L is on a leather strap.
It remains to surprise you with the price level. It would seem that with such extended functionality, the EFV-C100 should be significantly more expensive, but no. Only 115 euros!
