[EDIFICE Review] EFR-574D-1AV — compact steel with additional dials

Casio is known for its modern watches with MIP display and 1000 functions, Bluetooth capabilities, optical heart rate sensors, and GPS. However, after reviewing the DW-H5600 and GW-9500, I am personally tired of the excessive features. Though sports watches are typically functional, those who appreciate watches often find beauty in simplicity and minimalism. Casio has always struggled with providing mono-functional watches, as it is difficult to find a pure analog watch without a date window. However, Casio has managed to produce models with conventional analog modules that are unmatched by any other manufacturer. In this review, we will explore the EFR-574D-1AV model, which embodies a cool and masculine elegance in a classic design.

The EFR-574 line may seem familiar to some, but it can hardly be considered a new product. This perception is indeed true, as many “EFR” creations look alike, with additional windows, hands, and a steel case.

However, if you look deeper, you will find that each of them is unique. True fans of watchmaking art can spot the differences with ease and appreciate each new element with great enthusiasm.

The EFR-574D-1AV stands out with its serious appearance. This watch is designed for business negotiations, retro cars, formal men’s suits, jeans, a classic shirt, and all other “traditional” things.

I felt embarrassed when I wore them under a tracksuit, even though it was just a test. I haven’t felt such contempt for myself in a long time. But, how you choose to wear them is completely up to you [don’t pay attention to my emotions]. Nevertheless, I think this “comrade” deserves special treatment.

I find the small size of the model to be a positive aspect, as I appreciate compactness in watches, with the exception of sports and travel watches. Let’s compare its dimensions to the EFR-S108, which I find to be the most compact so far:

As you can see, the review’s hero does not compete for the word “the most,” but it is very close to EDIFICE’s miniature dimensions. 7.8 mm thickness is good, but not for EFR-574.

The new EFR-574 is very harmonious in its dimensions, and thanks to the bezel, it became a couple of millimeters wider [or thicker].

When designing a very thin watch, sacrificing the tachymetric bezel is necessary. But the EFR-574 has a steel bezel and a slim case.

Since I have already mentioned the tachymetric bezel, I must disappoint you – the bezel cannot be rotated. You also cannot use the rotated timer by minutes. The only way to measure speed is by using the tachymeter scale, which is a unique feature of the series. It may not be the most convenient way, especially in the era of modern gadgets, but it is still possible and has a hint of mechanical methods.

The EFR-574D-1AV’s functionality is well represented by the picture from the official manual:

The large second hand of the stopwatch is usually not in use when not measuring time. It only works in stopwatch mode. However, you can still see the seconds of the current time displayed in an additional dial at the 6 o’clock position. 

There are some dynamics present, but they are small in size. All the additional dials are created for the operation of the stopwatch where minutes and hours are displayed. The stopwatch has a capacity of 11 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, which means that you can use it not just for measuring time, but also for enjoying the movement of the second hand.

Just two starts a day, and the big second hand is always with you. Yes, it’s already my approach, don’t treat me strictly)).

It’s worth noting the date and day display on this watch, as it’s a traditional format that’s becoming increasingly rare these days. While the Japanese tend to swap these two windows around, this watch sticks to the more conventional style, which is reminiscent of the good old days. It even reminded me of my old “Luch” watch, which had a similar presentation.

I don’t know what could be better than a black dial and white large hands with similar hour markers. The readability is amazing. The look is fantastic.

The viewing angle is phenomenal – no matter how you look at the display, everything is visible and very clear.

The watch’s assembly quality is unquestionable. Steel case, steel solid band, mineral glass, screw backcover [this is a bonus, by the way] – a standard set for a watch of this price category. 

The battery can last up to 5 years, which is quite impressive given that it doesn’t have a backlight or other power-consuming technologies. It is water-resistant up to 100 meters, making it suitable for everyday office use. Although it doesn’t meet the G-SHOCK standard of 200 meters, it provides more than enough protection for everyday use. The hands and hour markers have a luminescent coating, making it easy to read in low light conditions.

Conclusions

The watch model EFR-574D-1AV sets an example of how a sophisticated men’s watch should look like under a suit. It doesn’t overly attract attention, but at the same time, one glance at the watch suffices to admire the intricate mechanics of the watch. The only downside I found was the frozen second hand, but this can be solved by activating the stopwatch feature. Apart from this, the EFR-574 deserves respect. It doesn’t have flashy functions or technologies like Bluetooth, but it doesn’t need them.