Casio Edifice Solar Review (EFS-S510D) | Is This Sporty Watch Style Over Substance?
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Casio has been making watches under the 'Edifice' banner for some time now. When I think of Edifice, the first thing that springs to mind is their motorsport associations. Of course, they produce a variety of other Edifice styles too, but the racing team tie-ins help this subsidiary stand out. From 2016 to 2019, Casio Edifice was a primary sponsor of constructor Scuderia Toro Rosso, whom they'd also back in the 2021 campaign, following the team's rebrand to Scuderia AlphaTauri. That isn't all, as the Edifice brand maintains strong ties with Honda Racing and Nissan's famous 'Nismo' division. At this point, racing is part of their DNA.
Unfortunately, the Edifice EFS-S510D we're looking at today doesn't share that theming, airing more on the athletic sport side, though some of its features would make it a pretty solid driving companion nonetheless. We can at least use this model as a reference to judge the build quality and performance of Edifice watches. Are they Casio's attempt at pushing heavily marketed junk? Or are they a solid choice?
Design - A Sporty Stance
Right off the bat, the S510D exudes a sporty look. It doesn't shout loudly like some overexuberant alternatives, but it's clear the aesthetics heavily lean this way. At first glance, the small splashes of red and turquoise on the dial are what pop out; these elements draw you in as they surround and highlight the watch's main features.
Framing the subdials, the metallic turquoise accents glimmer beautifully in the right light. They provide some personality to what could otherwise be a run-of-the-mill Speedmaster clone, as is evident from the black color version, which looks more like a straight-up Omega rip-off. Red is implemented more sparingly, highlighting the power reserve indicator and adding legibility to the second hand. Casio has also used other subtler colors, most notably the gray sunburst dial, though these aren't prominent enough to command your attention.
One gripe I have is the large amount of text; I think Casio went a little overboard and crammed too much into too small a space. It leaves the watch's right side looking cluttered, especially around the 3 o'clock date window. Casio should have cut a few lines or repositioned them more equally rather than stacking them atop one another. The Sapphire text on the lower subdial is also unnecessary and should have been relegated to the rear.
The indices are also a bit of a bugbear, given the varying lengths and shapes. To some extent, it's understandable; the position of the subdials does necessitate some trimming, though it does dig at my OCD nonetheless.
Apart from those minor issues, the rest of the watch is very nice to look at, especially in combination with the case. I love how Casio has executed this. There's a pleasing mix of finishes with the lugs adorning a brushed surface and a highly polished accent that's angular and sharp, a juxtaposition against the overall rounded profile. I wish Casio had opted to brush the flanks as the current polished edge is an absolute fingerprint magnet, plus this change would enhance the sporty vibe.
The bracelet has received the same treatment as the case, with some tasteful, highly polished accents flanking the mid-links; this doesn't further the sports aesthetic, though it does make the bracelet look a little more premium. The clasp isn't bad either, as it's brushed with a stamped Edifice logo and branding. There is some polishing on the sides as well as four micro-adjustments. The bulk of the clasp is pressed with an all-polished finish and is probably the main letdown of the bracelet - aesthetically, that is.
Built As Good As It Looks?
The S510D is made from all stainless steel and is pretty hefty. The watch has an assuring weight to it, at 136g, when sized up for my six-inch wrist. It feels well put together. The crown, although on the small side, is well guarded, grippy, and robust. The two pushers feel equally responsive and tactile during usage. This is reinforced with a screw-down case back that helps the Edifice achieve a water resistance of 100m. Sadly the crown isn't threaded, but I'm still impressed as you can take this swimming if you want to; something I could see being a regular occurrence with a watch of this style (just make sure the crown is compressed if doing so).
Along with the above, I'm even more excited that this budget offering has a synthetic sapphire crystal rather than the widely-used mineral glass. This improved scratch resistance is brilliant to see, as notable rival brands like Seiko fail to provide this material even on much more expensive offerings.
As for the bracelet, it's a mixed bag.
It looks good, but quality-wise the end links are hollow and have some play due to the loose tolerances. The main links are folded, despite looking like solid ones on the surface. This well-engineered implementation leaves no gaps on the outside, reducing the chances of your arm hairs being plucked, especially compared to the nightmarish bands fitted to some Casio digitals. Still, they aren't as good as the proper solid links found on pieces like the Invicta Pro Diver, which can be had for similar prices.
One more downside is the pressed clasp. I wasn't expecting a high-quality milled one, but this is perhaps a bit too basic. The internal polishing cheapens the look and exposes it to scratches, so I'm tempted to mattify it with some Scotch-Brite. On a material level, this bracelet is average, but the comfort level still makes it viable for most users.
To answer the sub-heading, I'd say yes, especially as some rivals don't match it, even with more expensive offerings.
Sizing - One for the big wrists?
Wearability is often a deciding factor in how long we keep and wear our watches, so how is the S510D? In a nutshell, it's better than you'd think. As mentioned, I have a slim six-inch wrist, and the imposing 44.8mm diameter presents a bit of a problem for me. This issue is compounded by the long 51.2mm lug-to-lug size, which makes this Casio too big for my slender arm. I'd estimate you'd need a wrist size of seven inches or above to pull off this Edifice properly.
Despite this sizing debacle, I find the watch surprisingly comfortable to wear. Yes, it's large, but the downturned lugs, low-profile case back, and female end links help it sit flush to the wrist. The weight is well-distributed, and the slim 12mm case means it never wears top-heavy. The bracelet has excellent articulation, steeply wrapping around my wrist, and the four micro-adjustment holes make getting a good fit much easier.
It is quite an enjoyable watch to wear even if you have smaller wrists, and I don't think you shouldn't be wholly off-put by the dimensions. If you like the style and enjoy the feeling of the fit, who cares if it looks big?
Functionality is Key
Like with any chronograph watch, if the features are complicated or awkward, you're probably not going to use them, right? Thankfully, the S510D is very straightforward in this regard.
The 5529 movement inside is basic but useful, with a 60-second timer as well as a 30-minute track too. The only one I would change is the top 24 hours which could be handier as a 60-minute one instead - we can't have it all.
To use the chronograph function, you press the top pusher; this sets the 60-second going. Once one minute has elapsed, the 30-minute track will advance one minute. To stop the timing at any time, press the top pusher again. To reset the timer back to zero, all you do is press the bottom pusher. It's that easy.
That isn't all the 5529 can do, as it has a working power reserve indicator. To use this, ensure the crown is secured, then press the bottom pusher for around two seconds. The bottom-center hand will move to align with either the H, M, or L, next to the red power bar. No awards for guessing what they each stand for! It's great to have such a user-friendly indicator to provide you with the capacitor charge level.
Speaking of the capacitor, you probably have noticed that this is a solar quartz watch. At some angles, the solar cell under the dial is visible. It's pretty cool, and I love this technology as it's far superior to a standard quartz movement.
To charge the watch, you just need to wear it outdoors for a quick boost, though it can also recharge via artificial light – albeit at a slower rate. You'll get around five months of power on a full charge (hypothetically with no subsequent exposure to light). However, charging will be a non-issue if the S510D is worn regularly, as it will continue to top up whenever it's exposed to a light source.
Specifications
Case diameter: 44.8mm
Lug to lug: 51.2mm
Thickness: 12mm
Lug width: 22mm
Sapphire crystal with AR
Casio 5529 solar quartz movement
Accuracy: -/+ 20 seconds per month
Battery Reserve: 5 months
Let there be lume
With many affordable watches, the biggest Achilles heel is the lume, and it's the same story here. The hands and indices are lackluster, with a sub-par green application of the glowy stuff. The markers are patchy and dim, while the hands are slightly better in pitch-black but remain far from optimal. Given the affordable nature of the watch, it's hard to complain, as bright luminescence is a rarity at this price point.
Are Edifice Watches Any Good?
Casio might have been a little late to the solar party when compared to Citizen, but like Japanese contemporary Seiko, what they have achieved in a short timeframe is impressive. Their technology is capable and reliable. Will it hold up as well as Citizen's Eco-Drive after 10-20 years of use? It's tricky to say, but it's still great to see lower-cost watches using this sustainable, wallet-friendly technology.
The S510D is also a good-looking watch that is sturdily built and more comfortable than I anticipated, especially given the enormous dimensions.
It's not perfect, as some minor quirks (like the cramped text) are questionable inclusions and there are obvious cut corners, though not as many as similarly priced rivals like Fossil, Vincero, and alike.
If you're after a feature-packed low-cost chronograph, you can't go wrong with this Casio Edifice; or most other Edifice watches for that matter, which all seem to boast similar specifications and finishing. Keep size in your mind when shopping, as Casio's sizing has increased for these modern designs.