Casio has been gradually adding new connected tech to its G-Shock range of watches, and is now doing the same to its Edifice range, too. While the Edifice range received Bluetooth connectivity before the G-Shock range, the software experience on the early models was not as polished as we’re used to today. That’s about to change with the EQB-1000D-1A, which crams tech we’ve seen in connected G-Shocks into a new, slimline case.
For the new EQB-1000D, Casio has retained the same connected feature set it used in other Bluetooth-enabled Edifice watches. When you connect the watch with your phone, it’s easy to alter international time zones and daylight saving hours, and to set the alignment of the hands. To facilitate connecting the watch with your phone, Casio has the Edifice Connected app, which also has a phone finder feature, but sadly doesn’t have any in-app alarm alteration.
Despite the connected features and Bluetooth on board, the Edifice EQB-1000D doesn’t need charging every day. It uses Casio’s excellent Tough Solar feature where, fully charged, the internal battery will last for five months without subsequent exposure to light. Unless you keep it in a box, or live in a cave, the battery will almost always be charging anyway as it takes energy from not only sunlight, but from low-light and artificial sources including florescent, too.
Previous Edifice connected watches have been chunky affairs, with the all-metal bodies dominating wrists. For the EQB-1000D, Casio has slimmed the case down by 30% compared to the popular — and representative of previous Ediface connected watches — EQB-800, to a more reasonable 8.9mm thick. This is the top-of-the-range model, too, and to further differentiate it from the others, the face is covered with sapphire crystal for scratch resistance. The watch is also water-resistant to 100 meters.
The sapphire crystal is set inside a stainless steel body attached to a metal link bracelet, while the face has sub-dials for the chronograph, world time, and for showing a.m. and p.m. This is a sporty-looking watch, just like other connected Edifice watches. Casio will release the EQB-1000D during the summer for $300.
