For more than half a century, Casio has been a quartz-only brand. Ever since its first watch in 1974, every Casio has ticked thanks to a battery. That changes now, in 2025, with the Casio Edifice EFK-100 series, the company’s first-ever automatic watch, priced from ₹25,995 in India.
This is a landmark moment for Casio, but also a carefully timed one. The smartwatch boom that dominated the last decade is flattening out. Consumers who once wanted tiny screens on their wrists are rediscovering the charm of mechanical watches. Casio sees its opening — and the EFK-100 is the brand’s first step into a space long ruled by Seiko, Tissot, and Citizen.
A Familiar Design, But With Motorsport DNA
At 39mm wide and 12.4mm thick, the EFK-100 is sized for daily wear, leaning sporty rather than dressy. Four of the five variants use stainless steel with polished and brushed finishes, paired with an integrated H-link bracelet. The finishing isn’t as refined as a Tissot PRX — which is the benchmark in this price range — and the lack of micro-adjustment or quick-release links is a missed opportunity.
That said, the motorsport-inspired Edifice DNA is clear. The forged carbon edition (EFK-100CD-1A) looks especially premium, with blacked-out markers and a stealthy dial texture that’s unusual at this price point. It’s a clever nod to high-end automotive design, even if execution is more affordable than luxury.
The Engine Inside: Reliable, Not Revolutionary
Casio didn’t build its own movement; instead, it went with a dependable Seiko automatic caliber, beating at 3Hz with a 41-hour power reserve. Watch enthusiasts will recognize this movement: reliable, serviceable, and widely used. Purists may be disappointed that Casio didn’t engineer its own, but in reality, this was the smart move. At under ₹40,000, this watch is about accessibility, not horological flexing.
Value Play in a Crowded Segment
Here’s where things get interesting. At ₹25,995 for steel variants and ₹39,995 for the forged carbon model, the Casio EFK-100 is aggressively priced. This puts it squarely against Seiko 5s, entry-level Citizens, and the Swatch x Blancpain/OMEGA crowd. Compared to those, the Casio brings brand familiarity, solid build, and motorsport-inspired design.
But is it enough to win over enthusiasts? That’s the tricky part. Watch collectors may gravitate toward Seiko’s heritage or Tissot’s finishing. For everyday buyers, though, the Casio name still carries weight, especially in India, where the brand has been synonymous with reliable, stylish watches for decades.
