Featuring traditional for the Japanese brand design, the new replica Casio Edifice EQB-500D-1A watch features a handy Bluetooth module. To make all of its features work you will only need to accompany it by CASIO WATCH+ app, which is currently available for the two major mobile platforms. I am not, of course, talking about its size although, at 48 millimeters in diameter, the device is by no means small, but about its functionality that, besides such things as solar charging and full auto-calendar, also includes Bluetooth connectivity that allows the EQB-500D to wirelessly connect to your smart phone.
The Japanese megacorporation is often associated with inexpensive timekeepers, but this guy is clearly isn’t dirt cheap. However, for four hundred dollars and some change that the EQB-500D is currently offered on eBay, you get a lot of a watch.
Once connected, the Casio Edifice copy wristwatch will download all the data it needs to automatically display time in your current time zone. It even knows whether the country of your stay uses daylight saving time!
And if you get on a plane, you can always activate safe airplane mode with just a push of a button.
To get the features enabled, you only need a smartphone (or probably a tablet) and an installed app that makes synchronization possible.
What disappoints me a little is that the list of platforms that the watch supports is so far limited to just Android and iOS: no wireless goodness for you, Windows Phone fans. Now, I understand that WP’s market share is ridiculous at this time, but it also is a third most popular mobile phone platform in the world and for such a huge brand as Casio, developing and supporting software for WP phones is clearly not a problem. It more looks like they just shrugged off those millions of users that, well, think different.
Measuring 52 mm lug to lug, 48 mm wide and being a bit more than 14 millimeters thick, the gadget is more massive than most consumers would probably care to, but, for a sporty chronograph, it seems to be acceptable. Also, a lot larger dial opening allowed Casio’s designers to place and extra pair of sub-dials that give you not only dual time display, but also add an extra indicator for built-in alarm: a very nice thing to have for a frequent traveler.
The “UNIT/H” inscription on the display suggests that the watch can be set to display your current speed in either kilometers or miles per hour, which is quite nice, although it doesn’t make the function any more useful: in a car you always have a speedometer and if that’s not enough, you always have a smartphone with a GPS app, which is even more precise.
Still, be warned: the gadget takes a great deal of space on a normal wrist and would probably look intimidatingly massive even on a man of heroic proportions.
At the time of writing this review, Casio experienced some difficulties with making their app working on the new iPhone 6. Well, I hope they will resolve the problem soon.
See also: Casio G-Shock Metal-Twisted (MTG-S1000D-1AJF)
Photos: Casio
WWR preliminary verdict
Originality 4.5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Legibility: 4/5
Value for money: 4.5/5
Casio Edifice EQB-500D-1A Bluetooth watch specification
Price: Approx. $400-$500 USD
Movement: Quartz, Tough Solar, Made in Japan
Power reserve: 33 months (fully charged, Power Saving mode engaged)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, tachymeter, stopwatch, dual time (GMT), Mobile Link Functions (world time:309 cities etc.), daily alarm, EOL, airplane mode
Case material: Stainless steel / Black Steel
Bezel material: Matches case
Crown material: Matches case
Case shape: Round
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 52.00 mm x 48.10 mm
Case height: 14.10 mm
Lug width: No data
Dial: Black
Numerals: None
Hour markers: Applied, additional luminous rectangles
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Crystal: Mineral, scratch-resistant
Case back: Solid
The Casio Edifice replica watch itself looks quite nice. The design is easily recognizable, but still original. I especially dig the unorthodox tachymeter scale that has finally been removed from the bezel and assigned its own sub-dial between three and six o’clock.
