Casio Edifice EFK100D-7A Automatic (similar to EFK-100CD-1A, EFK-100D-2A, EFK-100D-3A & EFK-100XPB-1A) - The Brand’s First Mechanical Watch, A Review (plus Video)

I finally got my hands on Casio's first automatic timepiece. The EFK100 series in under the Edifice line and it was launched in 2025 with much surprise and jubilation from the watch community. For purist, disappointment, as Casio decide against making their own in-house movement, opting to use Seiko's NH35A instead. For me and the vast majority of watch enthusiasts, the fact that Casio has finally embraced the mechanical movement as part of their repertoire of technologies for their watch designs says a lot. The choice of affordable mechanical watches from established brands are shrinking year-by-year as watchmakers goes up the value chain leaving the cheaper alternatives to alternative brands.

I wanted to get it when it was launched in 2025. Then, my choice was either the green or the blue dial version. However, after seeing them for the first time, it was the white dial that really stands out. The texturing on the dial makes it feel like a Grand Seiko 'Snowflake' but at a fraction of the cost. Unfortunately, that particular white dial has already been allocated to another buyer. After waiting for a number of months, finally, one of the branches of AWG got an allocation and a day later, it was on my wrist!

 

 

 

The Series

The Casio Edifice sub-brand has been around since the early 2000s. It represents a line of analog watches alongside Casio’s digital collections. The brand always featured distinctly modern, sporty styling, often inspired by motorsports. Edifice’s technical nature is reflected by features such as solar-powered quartz movements and “Waveceptors”, automatically syncing to atomic clocks via radio waves. 

The new Casio Edifice EFK-100 series represent Casio’s first foray into mechanical timekeeping.

All EFK-100 models measure 39 mm across by 43.5 mm long. However, due to the design of the integrated bracelet, if we count the fixed first center links, the total length would be 49 mm. Four of the five reference feature fully stainless steel cases, with the remaining model coming in forged carbon and PVD-coated steel (including rubber strap). The dial is protected by sapphire crystal while the display case-back is protected by mineral crystal. Casio rates the watches’ water resistance at 100 meters. 

EFK-100CD-1A	EFK-100D-2A
EFK100D-7A	EFK-100D-3A
EFK-100XPB-1A	MSRP: RM1,349 for the stainless steel models RM6,502(?) for the forged carbon model   Weight: 148 gm for the stainless steel models 87 gm for the forged carbon model

 

What is intriguing about the series is the price point Casio has put on them. Automatic movement, polished and brush stainless steel surfaces, machined integrated bracelet, and sapphire crystal would put a watch at a higher pricing level than the MSRP of RM1,349 for the watch in the Malaysian market. More about this later.

 

The Watch

For years, the Swiss have ceded the sub-400-euro mechanical watch category, with brands like Tissot and Hamilton moving upmarket. This vacuum has largely benefited a Japanese duopoly of Citizen and Seiko. Now, another Japanese giant is poised to challenge its compatriots' dominance. Casio, famous for quartz and digital timepieces, is entering the affordable mechanical arena with its first automatic watch: the Edifice EFK-100 series.

For half a century, since its first watch, the Casiotron QW02, debuted in 1974, Casio has built its legacy on quartz and digital innovation, never producing a mechanical timepiece. While born long after the mainspring's invention, the Shibuya-based electronics giant remained steadfast in its electronic domain. That is, until now. With the launch of the Edifice EFK-100 Automatic in July 2025, Casio finally enters the mechanical arena. Back then, the Casiotron was priced at YEN58,000, nearly a whole month’s starting salary for a university graduate in Japan back in 1974. The digital watch was positioned as a luxury item. Half a century later, Casio decided to introduce a mechanical timepiece but with the stated aim of affordability instead.

Of the five models released thus far, I decided to get the white dial version. There are other exciting colours that I love such as green, black and blue. It is only in person that one can truly appreciate why the white dial version wins against the rest of its siblings. Utilising the electroforming process reproduces the look of forged carbon on the dial for a uniquely textured, sporty, yet refined look. Of the colours mentioned, visually, the white produces the most textured of the dials. Moreover, it looks surprisingly similar to the Seiko Snowflake dial. Hence my choice of white over the rest.

 

The Casio Edifice EFK-100 in white is 39 mm wide and made out of stainless steel with polished and brushed surfaces. The watch comes with an integrated bracelet, following the same material as the case. The build quality is impressive, feeling solid and sturdy with minimal hint of flimsiness. 

 

Casio offers collectors an electro-formed dial (the process of electroforming) which gives the dial texture that is mesmerising, which lends a nice touch to its aesthetics. As highlighted earlier, it looks like the famous 'Snowflake' by Grand Seiko. The chapter ring is slanted and painted white with sub-seconds timing scale in black. At the edge of the dial, a silver white ring of about 2 mm (with concentric lines) borders it. The applied rectangular hour markers straddle the ring at the edge of the dial. The hour marker at 6:00 has been truncated due to the presence of the date aperture. Having a white background date wheel is good to minimise any distortion to the visuals on the dial. As it stand, I am pleased that Casio's designers chose the 6:00 position for the date aperture. 

 

There are three lines of texts, namely the series, brand and the word "AUTOMATIC" printed in black directly on the dial. The first two lines of text are on the upper quadrant while the third is on the bottom quadrant. What is interesting to me is that Casio puts the series name first before the brand name, instead of the other way around.   

 

The watch is a three-hand timepiece with skeleton hands. While it is very legible in the day, the luminescence is rather lacking as Casio only applied luminous paint on the end-bits of both the hour and minute hands. Applying lume on the hour indices, even if is just a small dot on the hour markers would be preferable. As it stands now, the benefit of the illumination is rather limited.  

 

Protecting the dial is a flat sapphire crystal. This element positions this watch as "value for money" timepiece. Casio could have easily chosen mineral glass (the same for the display case-back) and no one would begrudge the brand for that. The fact that Casio used that material shows how serious the brand is in making an impact. I personally see it as the brand signalling to the market that they have arrived in the mechanical watch scene and they intend to make inroads. Do you guys have the same reading of the situation?

 

The crown is unsigned and located at the 3:00 position. It uses the push-in/pull-out system to engage the various adjustment gears in the movement. The water proofing is deemed good as Casio gives a 100 meter water rating for the watch.

 

The screw-down case-back has a display window protected by mineral glass. Around the edge of the case-back, standard information about the watch has been etched with some basic information about the watch. Do note that Casio does not provide individual serial numbers of these watches. Through the display window, one can see the automatic Seiko Caliber NH35A. Although some might have expected Casio to enter the market with an affordable in-house caliber, I think this makes much more sense. The movement is tried and reliable, and broadly appreciated in the segment. It moves at 21,600 BPH and offers 40 hours of power reserve from a full wind. It hacks and can be manually wound, just a perfect package for something priced this low. Given time, I am certain Casio will introduce their own in-house movement.

 

Another thing of note is that fact that the movement is made in Malaysia. Seiko has manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, particularly for watch components and other precision engineering, producing parts like movements and mechanical components, serving as vital hubs for the global Seiko Group, ensuring quality products even if stamped "Japan" or without origin, through advanced technology. Rather proud about that.

The watch comes with an integrated bracelet. The links are connected with a simple pin-and-friction fit system. For the price point it is sold at, one would aspect folded metal sheet and stamping to be manufacturing choice but instead one finds machines parts. The polished and brushed surfaces looks first class and puts the watch beyond the 'entry-level' category. The clasp only has two micro-adjustment points. With all links present, the total weight of the watch is 148 gm. For my wrist size of 6.75 inches, I had to take four links off for a comfortable fit.

The Wearing Experience

Wearing the Casio Edifice EFK100D-7A Automatic is an experience defined by lightweight comfort and sophisticated versatility. From the first clasp of its bracelet, you notice its exceptional lightness, it sits unobtrusively on the wrist, thanks to its 39 mm steel case and smooth integrated bracelet. The wildly textured white dial, offers brilliant legibility and a touch of sporty elegance that catches the light beautifully. This is complemented by the practical luxury of a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. On the wrist, it feels agile and thin, slipping effortlessly under a shirt cuff, while the gentle motion of the automatic NH35A movement inside provides a quiet, satisfying reminder of its mechanical heart. It effortlessly bridges categories: precise enough for business, crisp for casual outings, and resilient enough for daily life with 100 meter water resistance. Ultimately, wearing the EFK100D-7A feels like enjoying a well-kept secret, a watch that delivers the thoughtful details and engaging experience of a mechanical timepiece, with a comfort and refined aesthetic that makes it a consistently easy and rewarding choice for any day.

 

Below is a video of the watch on my wrist. 

 

 

 

Specifications

 

Brand: Casio
Series: Edifice
Model Number: EFK100D-7A
Case Material: Stainless steel case
Case Diameter: 39 mm
Case Height: 12.5 mm
Case Length: 43.5 mm (49 mm including fixed first center links)
Lug Width: Integrated bracelet design, 21.9 mm at the end of the lugs to17.9 mm at the clasp
Weight: 148 gm
Case Color: Stainless steel
Case Finish: Brushed & polished
Dial Color: Textured white surface using electroforming process

Dial Markers: Applied rectangular hour markers except for 6:00.
Illumination: Luminous paint on the hands
Window: Sapphire crystal (top); mineral glass (bottom)
Strap Material: Stainless steel bracelet with push-button 3-fold clasp
Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Movement: Seiko Caliber NH35A
Jewels: 24
Frequency: 21,600 BPH
Power Reserve: 40 hours

Mean Accuracy: -35 to +45 seconds
Water Rating: 100 meters
Vendor: AWG Mid Valley, Mega Mall
Purchase Date: 16 January 2026
MSRP: RM1,349
Purchase Price: RM1,070
Warranty: One (1) year
Serial Number: Not available

 

 

Operation Guide 5755

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User's Guide 5755

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