I never really expected to see Casio take a crack at an automatic sports watch and I’m guessing I wasn’t alone in that. Casio, to me, has always been about bulletproof digital gear or quirky, ultra-affordable analogs that I wouldn’t think twice about tossing in a backpack or slipping on before a hike. So, when I heard about the EFK-100D, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Casio with a mechanical movement? Now we’re in new territory.
And they didn’t go at it alone. Inside the EFK-100D is Seiko’s NH35A … a movement that, if you’ve spent any time around microbrand releases or affordable divers (we’ve got a pretty cool list you can read through here), you probably know like the back of your hand. It’s not glamorous. It’s not especially accurate (the quoted -35 to +45 seconds a day will remind you of that). But it gets the job done, it’s easy to service, and it keeps the whole package at a price point that doesn’t make your wallet wince. You even get a look at it through a display caseback, which is a nice touch from Casio, given how new this mechanical move is for them.
Visually, Casio kept things clean but interesting. There are four dial treatments on offer, with one in black carbon that gives off a slightly more premium vibe, and three others that use electroforming to mimic forged carbon. It’s subtle, but it works—there’s just enough texture to make you pause and look a little closer. That dial texture pairs up nicely with a brushed stainless steel case and bracelet, both of which feel reassuringly solid. The mirrored bezel gives it a little flash, though it’s not over the top. It still feels like a Casio—just one that’s trying on a new suit.
On the wrist, the EFK-100D probably wears about how you’d expect from a steel sports watch of this style. It looks balanced, with the brushed bracelet most likely doing a good job of distributing weight. There’s nothing fussy here—just a solid daily wear option for someone looking to dip a toe into mechanical without ditching Casio altogether.
Price-wise, Casio’s hinted at around ¥49,500 to start, which we can probably peg at about $350 when it hits US shores. Not bad at all for what it is. And while this isn’t going to replace your G-Shock or your F91W, it does feel like Casio’s quietly letting us know they’re ready to play in a new sandbox.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.
I have been away from watches but recently “woke up” to the fact that I need to go back again and well got a new watch that I your guys talked on your podcast (at least early episodes). So, I have been away and bang… into Casio getting into automatic watches. Well, very happy to see. Hope I can see these in the wild and have a chance to try. this the design everyone is going after (not really mine but always open to try – a least).