Casio Edifice EFR-S108D Review | Move Over G-Shock This Is The Best CasiOak!
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You’ve heard of the CasiOak, right? That octagonal G-Shock which is often hailed as the best budget Audemars Piguet alternative?
Well, I also saw several videos about that model on YouTube; safe in the knowledge that the ‘CasiOak’ would have no chance of fitting on my slim wrist. At over 45mm wide, the GA2100 even out-muscles the very largest Royal Oak models and even with the reconfigured lugs, it still leaves many of us lesser-wristed people high and dry.
So, I began hunting for a different Royal Oak alternative and what I found is potentially a better option altogether. As the name implies, I didn’t have to look too far, as the watch in question is surprisingly still a Casio, despite me not having previously heard of it.
Design
Introducing the Casio Edifice EFR-S108D, which I’m labelling as the new CasiOak (or the CasiOak killer, whichever sounds more clickbaity)! I bought this one from my own money and it’s currently retailing for around £100; though is often available for closer to £80.
Right out of the box, you can see why I chose this one. There’s no mod kit required here, with the styling of the steel case already making it obvious that the design team were heavily inspired by the Royal Oak when dreaming up this model.
As you can see though, it’s by no means a 1 to 1 clone, as with some lesser-known brands on the market. So, let’s talk through the similarities, the differences and why I think this watch is just so darn good.
Where else to start but the sizing. After all, that was my main obstacle with the GA2100. While it’s a fantastic, durable watch, it’s certainly not the most discreet. This Edifice on the other hand is notably smaller and much sleeker. It comes in with a 38mm case size, which boosts to just shy of 40mm (39.8mm) when including the side bulges, as well as a surprisingly thin case at just 8mm.
The on-wrist lug to lug size is effectively 50mm, as the proprietary end links are fixed in place; though, they are angled steeply enough to follow the natural contours of the arm, meaning skinny wrists should be fine in most cases. Here’s a look at it on my 15.5cm wrist. It still sits very nicely without any overhang and is nearly flush to the wrist, which is a nice asset.
Watch Case
The case of the watch is constructed from the ever-present 316L stainless steel, which is presented in the vertically brushed finish that Royal Oak aficionados will be familiar with. The overall, angular shape is certainly reminiscent of some of the APs of yesteryear, though the aforementioned protrusions on each flank may be a subtle nod to the Patek Philippe Nautilus.
While the octagonal fixed bezel is certainly inspired by the Royal Oak, especially with the polished extremities, the famous screws have been shifted to the top of the lugs, with one present in each corner. I’ve been consistently impressed with the level of finishing on these Edifice watches and this EFR-S108 is no exception. The brushing is quite well done and there’s a slim, precise chamfered edge down each side; contributing to an overall look that rivals some watches at double the price point.
Movement
As you probably guessed, given the sheer slimness, this watch does use a quartz movement, which is hardly class-leading. The unit in this edifice is well-aligned though, hitting or skimming each of the markers as it moves its way around the chapter ring and the case rear does have a good enough seal to provide a very respectable 100m of water resistance. Given the sporty aesthetic, you’d hope this watch could survive contact with water and thankfully this rating should have you covered in almost all situations, including swimming.
Bracelet
The watch also houses an integrated bracelet, like the original, though with more mainstream styling. Unfortunately, the links aren’t solid, utilising an unusual type of folded link system that keeps the folds concealed; making them look like solid links on the surface. While better than the hair-ripping bracelets on budget Casio offerings, it’s still disappointing considering many rivals have solid links at this price point. The three-step micro-adjustment clasp is serviceable though and should allow you to find a comfortable fit.
Watch Glass
What’s not disappointing is the crystal choice. Casio didn’t cut any corners here and opted for a piece of sapphire, for awesome scratch resistance; beating out the mineral glass featured on most overhyped fashion watches and even some other Edifice models.
Dial Design
While the dial lacks the digital segment found on the GA2100, it’s still not a true copy of the Royal Oak, with a dark vertically grained effect that looks halfway between wood and carbon. This watch is also available in a white dial version (check that version out on Casio’s website here), should that be more to your taste.
The handset and markers are also much chunkier, but the watch does maintain a similarly clean look, with the date window also at the 3 o’clock position. The wheel is also black, which integrates seamlessly with the dial, something often not found on low-cost watches like this.
For a touch of colour, the second hand is presented in a glossy gold-tone, which matches that of the ‘sapphire’ text above the 6 o'clock position. There’s also a reference to the water resistance, but thankfully no battery life or quartz stamp, as seen on previous Casios. Of course, there’s the somewhat divisive Edifice logo, which also appears on the crown, which I’m honestly not fussed by.
The EFR-S108D also has luminescence spread across the markers and hands and while it works, it’s quite weak. I guess something is better than nothing though, eh?
When on-wrist, this watch feels comfortable and looks surprisingly good; being much closer to the Royal Oak aesthetic than the old CasiOak…at least in my opinion. It also carries over some of that versatility as this Edifice looks great both casually and when dressed up.
Final Thoughts
For some of you, it may be worth checking out the EFR-S107L (check it out on Amazon here); which is incredibly similar but with a larger size of 41mm and a slightly different bezel configuration. That model also has traditional lugs, so if you’re after a Royal Oak style watch that you can chuck a strap on, then that’s the route to go down.
Though given the octagonal bezel, I do think the S108D is going to be the first choice for most of you reading. Each of these side-step the need for the metal mod kit too, which will save you some cash; though don’t boast the same impact resistance as the G-Shock.
BEN’S WATCH CLUB RATING (4/5):