Ben's Watch Club

Recommended: Casio Edifice EFR-S108D

I found this watch when searching for a viable, low-cost AP Royal Oak alternative that wasn’t a lazy copy-and-paste job. What I discovered was an awesome Casio sports watch, that provides the octagonal look in an extremely thin package.

Indeed, the Edifice EFR-S108D sits at a mere 8mm, making it one of the thinnest watches I’ve ever looked at; if you’re after something discreet, that can slip under a cuff, this is well and truly it. In terms of raw specifications, it’s equally impressive, with a sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance rating, meaning this watch isn’t just for show! Perhaps what was most surprising was the case finishing and dial texture, both of which were far better than anticipated.

In general, the Edifice lineup punches far above it’s weight. The only obvious downside with this piece is the integrated bracelet, which inherently can’t be swapped for a traditional watch band. Also, the Edifice logo itself is somewhat divisive, but if you can look past it, this is a stellar, affordable watch.

More recently, Casio introduced a spiritual successor to this, in the form of the Edifice EFB-108D; as you may have guessed by the similar codename, it’s virtually identical and also worth your consideration, though the EFR-S108 can often be found for slightly less money at the time of writing. I reviewed the black version, though the white option pictured is better looking.

Casio EFR-S108D Specifications:

  • 38mm case width (39.8mm diameter including side bulges)

  • 8mm thickness

  • 50 mm lug to lug (including proprietary fixed end links, so it wears shorter)

  • Casio quartz movement

  • Stainless steel construction

  • Stainless steel bracelet

  • Sapphire crystal

  • 100m water resistance