Tags: Review | Casio | Men's | Classic | Aerial
12.5.2022 | 6 MIN
When I first got the Casio Edifice EF-527D, I couldn't help myself not making an association with the Navitimers. But contrary to Navitimers, almost everyone can afford the Casio version. Today, we will examine if the Casio version is with it.
Have you ever found yourself looking at a watch dedicated to pilots? If so, you've likely come across a Breitling Navitimer watch.
I would also assume these watches caught your eye due to their visual complexity or the number of functions they offer. Unfortunately, these features are projected to the price, especially if we are talking about mechanical watches.
But there is no need to despair! A proven recipe for reducing prices involves two steps. First, it is necessary to replace the mechanical movement with a quartz one. Second, give the manufacture to Casio, since this Japanese watch colossus rarely disappoints in the "price: performance" category. And I can let you know in advance that they didn't disappoint while constructing the Casio Edifice EF-527D watch.
The EF-527D model is a chronograph with a logarithmic scale, making it a functional tool for pilots. The logarithmic scale is like a primitive form of calculator that allows conversions of various units or basic calculations, especially division and multiplication.
And it was for this reason the logarithmic scale got incorporated into the watch – to allow pilots to perform basic mathematical operations during flight. If you want to learn more about this interesting feature, I'd recommend the article "Explanation of the logarithmic scale for ordinary mortals."
But now, for a moment, let's leave all the features, sub-dials, and hands hidden under the mineral glass and give our attention to the case and bracelet of this watch instead. Although the EF-527D model is available in three dial colors (black, blue, and green), they all have the same steel case and bracelet.
Edifice EF-257 with a black, blue, and green dial.
And I would like to talk about the bracelet for a while. Casio made a very good decision and used a bracelet from solid steel links. It gives the watch a pleasant weight and perfectly balances the weight of the watch case on the wrist.
It is also worth mentioning the presence of micro regulation on the buckle, which allows you to adjust the length of the bracelet so that it fits like a glove. And I have nothing but words of praise for the design. Most of the watch is brushed, so it appears matte. The brushed surface reduces the number of visible fingerprints, which I believe drives crazy more people than just me.
Still, Casio managed to smuggle in small polished areas on the middle links of this bracelet, which add a flair to the watch. These links are also interesting in their shape. Compared to the side links, they are almost square, which gives an industrial touch to the watch. The only complaint I have is that the bracelet is attached to the case by hollow links, which slightly increase traction noise. But this is not a major problem, especially in this price category.
There is nothing on the case that would lift you off the chair. It is a typical chronograph with two buttons and a screw-down crown for adjusting the time and date. The screw-down crown and the case back are responsible for the water resistance of 100 meters. The left side of the case, in the 8 o'clock position, has a crown for the logarithmic scale manipulation. The bezel has cut-ins, which are usual for this type of aviator watch.
But there is an unexpected curve in this ordinary case. I am talking about a "decrease" in the thickness of the case at the place where the case turns into lugs. This element is a special feature of a relatively "uninteresting" case, but it is almost imperceptible without closer inspection.
In terms of size, the watch will definitely fit well on average and on larger wrists. The case diameter is 45 mm, and the lug to lug size is 50 mm. The thickness of this chronograph reaches only 11 mm due to the flat glass and quartz movement.
The span of the lugs is 22 mm, which brings innumerable possibilities when it comes to replacing a steel bracelet with, for example, NATO nylon belts. These can be especially useful in the warm summer months when the wrist tends to get swollen. Likewise, choosing a suitable leather strap can elevate this watch to higher social heights.
Now a few sentences about the design of the dial. If you dislike the absurd number of small numbers and occasional letters, this watch is not for you. However, if you have a 20/20 vision, the EF-527D will engulf you. In all likelihood, you will never use the large amount of data provided by the logarithmic scale of this watch. But countless finely printed numbers and indices always catch the eye, not only of you but of everybody whose eyes rest on this watch.
The luminescence strength of this model is the same as in the rest of the Edifice series, ie average. But the blue shade of the luminescence is indeed surprising. In this price category, it is a welcomed change compared to the old shades of green, which in my opinion are not very suitable for blue dials.
And it is the model with the blue dial that I would like to highlight. Not only is the chosen tone of the blue "Sunburst" dial attractive, but its contrast with orange elements, such as hands, is very appealing.
In my eyes, the movement (Casio 4369), responsible for the functions of the sub-dial, makes the EF-527D a really excellent chronograph. There are three sub-dials, and each has a meaningful function.
8.10.2021
ALL ABOUT: Watch complications – Chronograph
This prompts me to share the fact that many chronographs carry a sub-dial displaying day in the month, which unnecessarily replaces the date function or a sub-dial showing time in the 24 hours format. You might never use this time format unless you happen to be behind the polar Circle. That's why I was very pleased that the sub-dial located at noon displays the minutes of the stopwatch, while the sub-dial at nine o'clock allows you to track time for an incredible 12 hours.
The cherry on top is the sup-dial at six o'clock. If you press the top button to activate the stopwatch, this sub-dial will display1/20 of a second for 30 seconds.
To clarify, 1/20 of a second is 50 milliseconds (ms). The smallest measurable interval can therefore be 0.05 seconds (s). Thus, you can record the difference between 1:40s and 1:45s. However, it is not possible to measure values to the nearest hundredth (eg 1:31s).
The hand of the lower sub-dial "stops" after the mentioned 30 seconds, which prevents unnecessary shortening of the battery life.
As soon as you pause the stopwatch with a repeated press of the upper button, the hand displays 1/20 of a second of the measured interval. The chronograph is then reset by pressing the lower button, which returns the main chronograph hand (located at the center of the dial) to the 12 o'clock position and the lower sub-dial hand to the 0/20 position.
If you press the bottom button again, the sub-dial that displayed a twentieth of a second before will switch its function and display the seconds of the running time. By Pressing the lower button again deactivates this function, thus returning the lower sub-dial handle to the position corresponding to 0/20 of a second or 60 seconds.
The Casio Edifice EF-527D is not just a visually appealing and complicated piece. It is a watch with very practical functions. Finally, I would like to mention the very nice price tag. There are hardly any watches in the under 200 EUR category with similar features. 
