Casio EFK100CD-1A Edifice Automatic Black Forged Carbon Dial Stainless Steel Bracelet

Casio EFK100CD-1A: Forged Carbon in Black

If the white EFK-100D is Casio’s entry into mechanical watches, the black CD-1A is where the forged carbon theme really shows. The dark dial makes that electroformed weave pattern pop—it looks like you’re staring at actual carbon fiber, which is exactly the Edifice motorsport vibe they’re going for.

Same Foundation, Different Character

Underneath, it’s the same watch as its white and blue siblings: Seiko NH35 automatic at 21,600 vph, 24 jewels, roughly 40 hours of power reserve with hacking and hand-winding. The see-through caseback shows it all off, though like the others, the movement is undecorated. That’s standard at this price—Orient and Seiko’s budget automatics don’t decorate either.

Why the Black Works

The forged carbon pattern reads differently on dark backgrounds. Where the white dial has a subtle textured look, the black version is more aggressive—the layered, woven appearance catches light and creates depth that photographs don’t fully capture. Semi-skeletonized hands with faceted sides cut through the busy dial better than solid hands would. Date at 6 o’clock handles practicality.

Build Remains Solid

39mm case, 43.5mm lug-to-lug, 12.5mm thick, 148 grams with the H-link bracelet attached. Sapphire crystal, 100m water resistance, magnetic resistance. The bracelet quality continues to impress for a sub-$300 watch—properly finished links, solid milled clasp. Lume is still the weak point, but that’s consistent across the line.

The Bottom Line

If you want Casio’s first mechanical watch with the most motorsport-forward aesthetic, this is the one. The black forged carbon dial makes more of a visual statement than the white or blue versions while keeping everything that made reviewers take notice of this line: solid build, quality bracelet, sapphire crystal, and a proven movement at a competitive price.