The 5 best Casio sports/tool watches of 2021
Casio is a brand that needs no introduction in the watch. They’re one of the most iconic and recognizable brands of on-trend yet functional and tough-as-nails digital watches. With millions of Casio watches having been made over the past 35 years, it should come as no surprise that there’s plenty of variety for Casio watches in the market today. Variety isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can be daunting finding the right one for you. So today, we’ve narrowed down 5 of the best Casio timepieces from their two iconic ranges: Edifice and of course G-Shocks. They are fantastic tool watches, whether you’re looking for a daily beater, or a serious professional looking for a functional and reliable tool. Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the watches.
CASIO EDIFICE SMARTPHONE LINK EQB-1000XD-1ADR MEN'S WATCH
The first watch we’re looking at today is in our opinion one of the best Edifice models that money can buy; the EQB-1000XD-1ADR. It is one of Edifice’s more advanced timepieces, featuring the brand’s Bluetooth Smartphone link, a tough solar power system that keeps the device topped up via exposure to any form of light source, as well as a multi-hand multi-function chronograph and timekeeping system too.
All of this technology in a case that is only 8.9mm thin is truly a work of engineering brilliance that is hard to find anywhere else (aside from Citizen perhaps, but that’s at a very different price point). It’s a handsome watch too, the one we have today come with sporty red accents along the indexes and subdials, contrasting nicely against the otherwise stealthy black dial, and set in a neatly finished, slim stainless-steel case.
If you’re looking to get your hands on a functional, sporty timepiece that won’t break the bank and looks and feels like something much more expensive than it actually is, you’ll certainly find the EQB-1000XD-1ADR to fit your bill very nicely.
CASIO EDIFICE EFS-S570DC-1AUDF MEN'S WATCH
Of all the watches on the list, this one’s probably my favourite in terms of design, even more so than the impressive EQB-1000DX-1ADR we’ve just looked at. But back to this; the EFS-S570DC-1AUDF, quite a mouthful isn’t it? This watch is part of Edifice’s slim line range of highly elegant yet technical watches. I like to refer to these as dressy sports watches, and yes while watches like the Royal Oak and Nautilus do exist to fill that gap. There’s a much sportier and more rugged feel to these watches as compared to those two. The watch is styled visually after the sports watches from the 70s, with angular case design with an integrated bracelet, though this one dials the angles up to eleven with the octagonal bezel sitting in a proud brushed navy blue against the brushed silver case. Seriously, you’d be hard-pressed to find a surface on this case that isn’t finished to perfection. The pushers are nicely executed and sleek as well adding more to the very contemporary and modern design that this watch has. Functionally, it is a simple chronograph with a date display at 4 and is solar powered too, which means you needn’t fret too much over battery replacements. The EFS-S570DC-1AUDF is a proud celebration of modernizing a traditional tool, integrating current technology with an old-school (albeit timeless) design and display that makes for an incredibly interesting and intriguing wearing experience.
G-SHOCK MUDMASTER DIGITAL QUARTZ BLACK STAINLESS-STEEL GG-1000-1A3DR GREEN RESIN STRAP MEN'S WATCH
There is a lot to like about the GG-B100. It’s a result of Casio constantly working on improving what they have done in the past. But with that said, this is a radically different watch from your run-of-the-mill G-Shocks, because of Casio’s use of carbon in the case construction to protect the watch and shave even more weight off too. The Mudmaster line has always been a field G-shock, or at least G-shock’s take on a field watch.
Casio has always placed more focus on analog-digital style dials for their higher end watches, and the same can be seen here. They’ve done a great job in combining the functionality and durability of a G-shock with the aesthetic appeal of a ‘traditional’ analog watch. Hybrid dials like this one, have been a mainstay of modern Japanese watchmaking since the 70s and they really found their stride in the 80s.
The LCD screen may be small for some, but it is highly legible and offers snappy performance too. The hands are useful when needed, and are used to display certain features that we’ll get into later. However, they are usually performing their default time-telling functions most of the time. Casio’s cutting-edge screen and ultra-lightweight carbon means that there’s virtually no compromise between functionality and style. You get the feeling of immediately wanting to fiddle with the watch the moment you hold it in your hand. Now, you can connect a smartphone to this watch with the ‘connect’ button at the 3 o’clock position and using the G-Shock app, allowing you to adjust the watch using the app if you don’t want to use the buttons. G-shocks were never meant to be ‘good-looking’ or even ‘cool’, they’re utilitarian and are meant to get the job done. But with the Mudmaster, I think that’s changing and it’s an advancement in design that really makes most modern G-shock watches now really, really nice to look at.
CASIO G-SHOCK SPECIAL COLOUR GA-2110SU-3ADR MEN’S WATCH
The GA-2110 line, fondly known as the Casioak (A not so subtle abbreviation of its design resembling the ever-iconic and unattainable Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.) The public generally accepted these affordable and functional Royal Oak homages and the rest is history. The GA2100 and GA2110 series have been selling like hot cakes since their release, and its small wonder why. For one thing, they’re still pure blue-blooded G-shocks, despite their much slimmer and svelte appearances make lead you to believe. Functionally, they’re identical as well with the usual, world timer, stopwatch, alarm and timer. But it’s the looks that we always go back to for this piece. Whether you’re a fan of G-Shocks or not, there’s no denying that the GA-2110 is a staggeringly good-looking watch. And this one, in an olive-green resin case and strap with a matching black dial and bezel, is certainly one of our favourites of the bunch. Whether you’re looking for a stunning and practical daily watch, or a serious tool watch, or just really like the Royal Oak’s aesthetics and are looking for a decent affordable homage, the GA-2110SU-3ADR is certainly hard to beat.
CASIO G-SHOCK ORIGIN GM-5600B-3DR MEN'S WATCH
A great testament to how great a watch’s design is comes from how it continues to look good, no matter what colour way it’s in, even after decades. Whether you’re rocking the vibes of the 80s in Rasta or denim, or the 90s with teal and purple, or even a modern military style urban camo, there’s certainly a watch for you in this line-up. The one we picked today is one that we think should be a staple in every collection, a special edition with a case finished in black PVD stainless steel instead of resin paired with a military style olive green resin strap. The GM-5600B-3DR is a great modernization of a timeless design that would look just at home in the 90s as it would today. Functionally, it is the usual affair with the noon-specialized G-Shock watches, with a world timer, stopwatch, alarm, and timer functions all easily accessible with the buttons along the sides of the case. Overall, if it is a versatile, cool and rather unique G-Shock that you’re looking for, it’s hard to go wrong with the GM-5600B-3DR.
Watches you can’t go wrong with
Casio has always been the benchmark for reliable, functional and properly good-looking tool watches. And for the ones we’ve looked at today, the brand has hit a sweet spot in design, price and features that will offer consumers fantastic watches that ought to sell like hell too. They’re watches that serves as both a ‘cool-looking watch’, as well as truly functional and useful tool watches that you can undoubtedly rely on should the situation arise. Not many watches can fit this bill, but the ones that we’ve looked at today certainly do. And if even a self-acclaimed snob for mechanical watches like myself can find myself genuinely liking them, then they certainly have a place in your collection too.
