Review: hands-on with the new Casio Edifice EQS-930BL-2AVUDF

The Casio Edifice EQS-930BL-2AVUDF is one of 4 new solar powered quartz chronographs released mid this year. The new collection is equiped with a carbon fibre dial, and with ion-plated bezel in four colour options – silver, black, grey and blue. This is our hands-on review of the latter.

Review: new Casio Edifice EQS-930BL-2AVUDF

Retail price of the EQS-930BL-2AVUDF Blue ion-plated bezel with Leather strap: SGD 229 inclusive of GST.

The Casio Edifice series takes its inspiration from racing, and in particular motor racing. We have covered several watches in this collection, all with racing themes:

• Casio Edifice Honda Racing Limited Edition
• Casio Edifice Scuderia AlphaTauri Edition
• Casio Edifice EBC 20D which was our last GIVEAWAY

The case, dial and hands

The case is constructed in stainless steel, with a stainless steel screw down back, and a stainless steel fixed bezel. The bezel on the review model is ion-plated to achieve a dark, but very attractive blue hue. This blue is repeated in the rehaut of the main dial as well as the sub-dials of the chronograph. The case shape is perhaps best described as generically tonneau, with large, curved protrusions from the sides, and punctuated by the crown and pushers on the right side. The design is somewhat reminiscent of the Patek Philippe Nautilus case shape. The case is finished in a gloss polish, and the dial is protected by a mineral glass cover.

The carbon fibre dial is perhaps one of the key attraction points on the dial. This is the standard chequerbox carbon layout with three cutouts for the sub-dials. Though the cutouts look black, they allow light to penetrate the dial to reach the solar panels to charge the battery. The layout of the 3/6/9 counters are a fan shaped retrograde minute totalizer counter at 9, a continuous seconds sub-dial at 6 and a 24 hour counter at 3. A date aperture is opened at 4 o’clock. It is interesting that the minute counter only goes to just below 10minutes (specifications is 9min59s), but it is possible to use it as a split seconds timer. More on this later. Overall, the dial looks busy like most three counter chronographs, but not overly so, and the play of the rehauts of the counters, with their partly blued sections against the carbon fibre is rather aesthetically pleasing.

The indices are faceted appliqués sitting inside of the minute/seconds track which runs around the periphery of the dial. The minute track are marked with white lines for each minute, punctuated every 5 minutes by larger rectangular with lume. The chronograph hand has a resolution of 1/4s as it makes 4 steps to cover each second, and these are indicated as sub-divisions on the minute/seconds track.

The hour and minute hands are large white lance styled numbers with lume infill with rather substantial counterweights ends painted black. The chronograph seconds hand is long and sleek, white on the business side, and painted black on its counterweight. Chronograph counter hands are white. In the dark, the lume is rather attractive, and shows the time clearly, without the distraction of the busy chronograph indicators.

Split seconds timing: Three scenarios are possible. To illustrate, let us call the pusher at 2 o’clock A and the pusher at 4 o’clock B. In scenario 1, we use this as a regular chronograph. A starts the chronograph. A on the second push stops the timer, which can be restarted with a third push. The chronograph can be stopped and restarted by just activating A. To reset the chronograph to zero, B is pushed after the chronograph is stopped. In scenario 2, the watch can be used as a split seconds chronograph or rattrapante. A starts the chronograph as usual, and when running, if B is pushed, it stops the display to show the intermediate split time, while the chronograph continues to count the elapsed time. Pressing B again will release the split time to catch up (rattrapante) with the elapsed time. Press A to stop, and then B to reset. In scenario 3, A starts the chronograph. Pressing B stops the chronograph to show the split time. But instead pressing B to release the split, if A is pressed, it will stop the elapsed time, which is not displayed as the watch is still showing the first split. Pushing B after this will display the elapsed time. And finally B resets the chronograph. Interesting, if complicated way to achieve a split seconds chronograph.

The movement

The caseback is sealed to achieve a 100m water resistant rating with a screw down cap, and the movement is not visible. Casio documentation does not even specify the caliber of the movement used.

The specifications are published say that the movement is a solar module over a quartz standardization movement with three sub-counters arranged in a 3/6/9 layout. The movement is powered by a small battery which is charged through a solar panel. This is specified as CASIO-original light-shielding and distributed solar technology which makes it possible to obtain sufficient power generation using only the light that passes through the three small inset dials.

The base movement is a rather standard quartz chronograph. As Casio is well known in the industry for robustness and toughness, we are assured that the movement selected is a work horse. The add-on of the solar powered module is also a technology that Casio has used, and is well tested and known. The movement is rated to ±20 seconds per month.

Concluding thoughts

This is a rather handsome watch. At SGD 229, it is an inexpensive timepiece which not only looks good and the part of a racing machine, but also one with interesting technical specifications. The solar powered watch means that it will continue to run for as long as there is light, no need to bother about battery changes. The split seconds chronograph is an interesting feature at this price point, albeit quartz. And the construction of the case, the dial, strap are excellent and inspire confidence that this is not only a beautiful watch, but also one which can stand the rigours of daily life.

On the wrist, the 45mm nominal case diameter sits reasonably comfortable, as it wears somewhat smaller than the dimensions would suggest. Overall, a great watch at a great price.

Casio Edifice EQS-930BL-2AVUDF Specifications

Water Resistance	100 meters
Solar powered	Yes
Stopwatch	1 second; Measuring capacity: 9’59 Measuring modes: Elapsed time, 1st-2nd place times
Display	Date and Battery level indicator
Regular timekeeping	Analog: 3 hands (hour, minute, second), 3 dials (24-hour, stopwatch minutes, stopwatch seconds)
Accuracy at Normal Temperature	±20 seconds per month
Battery Life	Approx. 5 months from full charge until hands stop
Case material	Stainless steel, with steel ion plated bezel in blue
Strap	Blue leather
Size of Case	49.5 x 45.3 x 12.0 mm
Total Weight	Approx.76 g

Photo Notes

This Casio Edifice was photographed in our studio. Hasselblad 907X 50C with HC 4/120 Macro and HC 2.8/80 + H28 extension tube via XH Adapter. Profoto strobes.