Casio has been busy updating some of their most popular lines and we are seeing that work come to fruition when looking at all their Baselworld 2013 releases. Welcome in the great-looking Edifice EQW-A1200 timepiece family. Not only are the G-Shocks (the 30th Anniversary limited edition and the Gravity Defier pieces) getting new editions, so too, are the Pro Trek watches we’ve covered and the Edifice. Casio announces the release of four new Edifice EQW-A1200 models. They come in different colors, are loaded with functions and are built to resist vibrations. Flagship models, they have all the bells-and-whistles packed the Edifice-way.
This new top Casio Edifice model family sadly won’t “officially” be available in the US. That doesn’t mean you can’t still find them thanks to the glory that is the Internet. So, what are these models US retailers will be missing out on? Namely, the pictured models with all analog dials. Available in the US will be the ana-digi versions with LCD screens on the faces that will be coming here. All of the watches feature 6 band atomic clock radio signal receivers, a compass, and a new faster system for the hands thanks to lighter hands. The good looking dial on this all analog version is great looking, showing a lot of refinement and class that went into the Edifice collection. Also, there is a special carbon nano fiber tube in place of the traditional metal bracelet spring bar that will make separating the bracelet from the case very difficult.
The concept behind Edifice is clear: “Speed and Intelligence,” expressed in metal watches. The most important marketing move behind these watches has to be the partnership with the reigning Formula 1 triple-world champion team of Infiniti Red Bull Racing. That’s a strong connection with speed as those cars are doing over 200 miles per hour – and mere speed won’t win races without intelligence to go with it. Actually, this A1200 line from a design perspective is of the more sensible kind with a bit less to show in terms of dynamics compared to the aesthetics of other Edifice pieces. It comes in four bezel and band combinations: silver-silver (metal); black-silver (metal); black-black (metal); and finally with a black bezel accompanied by a black resin band.
Beyond mere aesthetics there’s a lot to talk about. To begin with, the EQW-A1200 integrates an analog drive system developed by Casio called the ‘Multi-Mission Drive’. In practice what that means is that with the utilization of sensor technology, the hands can be moved independent to one another. That’s good news as the position of the hands – and hence timekeeping – is corrected automatically thanks to the Multi-Band 6 technology time-calibration sensors. The signals are transmitted from six stations in the world – one in China, UK, Germany and the US and two in Japan.
A World Time function of 29 cities (therefore of 29 time zones) and coordinated universal time, keep the wearer of this Edifice piece synchronized with the local time – making adjustments to local times really easy. As for more dynamic sorts of functions (just to match the F1-DNA), there’s a multi-function chronograph installed with a compass function, where the seconds hand is used to point towards north. The stopwatch measures up to one hour in 1/20th of a second increments, they make recording of up to ten laps possible.
As for “passive” features which are constantly there for you, built into the timepiece we have to note the new vibration-resistant configuration developed by Casio following an R&D visit to Infiniti Red Bull Racing. The fundamentals for this unique construction are coming from the insights and feedback of the F1 team’s mechanics and engineers. In F1, the watches are much more subject to vibration than to shocks – for example when the drivers are in the car, or when the mechanics are using the wrench to replace the tires. These all cause fairly strong vibrations that cannot be allowed to reach the inner workings of the timepiece. In order to offset these effects, the timekeeping module is encased in a highly vibration-resistant alpha gel made of ‘silicon and other materials’. So while these watches are definitely on the more elegant side, Casio wanted to ensure that they can be subjected to some shaky situations and come out without any issues whatsoever as far as chronometric performance is concerned.
I can say that this combination of durability and elegance in the case of these freshly released Edifice watches, could well be appealing for many – and when considering all the functions safely packaged into the cases, spiced up with splashes of dynamic colors, I imagine that many will find a piece that matches their expectations. The Edifice EQW-A1200 will be premium priced, but still under $1,000. The similar digital analog models that will come to the US market are going to be less expensive than that. casio.com
Tech Specs
Casio Edifice EQW-A1200
Construction Vibration-resistant
Water Resistance 10 bar
Digital Compass
Hand indication of north (20 seconds continuous measurement);;
measuring unit: 6°; bidirectional calibration; magnetic declination correction
Radio Frequency: 77.5 kHz (DCF77: Germany); 60 kHz (MSF: UK); 60 kHz (WWVB:
USA); 40 kHz (JJY: Fukushima, Japan) / 60 kHz (JJY: Kyushu, Japan); 68.5 kHz (BPC: China)
Radio Wave Reception Automatic reception up to six times a day (except for use in China: up to five times a day); manual reception
– Stopwatch: 1/20-second stopwatch; measuring capacity: 59’59.8”; measuring
mode: elapsed time; lap time; lap time modes: 10 lap times and fastest lap time
– World Time: 29 cities (29 time zones; daylight saving on/off, daylight saving time (summer time) / standard time auto switching) and Coordinated
– Universal Time
– Alarm Daily alarm
– Other Functions Automatic hands correction; battery indicator; date display; full auto-calendar
Power Source Tough Solar power system (solar-charging system). Continuous Operation Six months
Size of Case 52.5 × 44.5 × 12.9 mm
Total Weight Approx. 156 g (EQW-A1200D/1200DB/1200DC) 92g (EQW-A1200B)