Going stealthy with the Casio Edifice ECB900PB-1A

I feel like I have looked at a lot of watches from the Casio Edifice lineup (protip: this one is my favorite so far). In fact, in some ways, the lineup is sort of like the weather. Don’t like what you see? Well, just wait awhile, because another one will come along that you might like the looks of. On the most recent ones I’ve spent time with is the Casio Edifice ECB900PB-1A.

In my time with the Casio Edifice ECB900PB-1A, I took to referring to it as the “stealth fighter” of the line. This is due to the overall “blacked out” nature of the watch, from the dark dial, case and bezel finishing, and the PU strap (nope, it’s not rubber or silicone). One thing that this version has that I’ve not had one some of my more recent Edifice reviews is the inclusion of two LCD screens.

In my time with the Casio Edifice ECB900PB-1A, these displays most commonly showed the date and day of week, although other modes will give you other pieces of information as you cycle through the various modes, including:

• Chronograph
• Stopwatch Lap Timer
• Alarm
• UTC / World Time

While I appreciate the inclusion of the LCD displays (and the LED lighting), a watch of this sort can be complicated to work with via the mostly analog display. That is where the connected smartphone app really comes in, and helps the Edifice line shine. Once you’ve connected the watch to your phone, you can set all manner of things on the watch (including updating your local time), and even have a small manual to walk you through the functions.

Oh, and if you’re having trouble remembering what all of the pushers on the watch do (and the crown is a pusher as well), the engraving on the caseback of the Casio Edifice ECB900PB-1A will remind you what each of them do. At the end of the day, the stealthy Casio Edifice ECB900PB-1A likely has a lot more functionality than you probably need regularly, but it’s all there, and it’s all solar powered – which, after the bluetooth connection, is my favorite feature of the watch. Frankly, I think a solar-powered watch is a great addition to any collection. And, at $200, you’re not breaking the bank for a tough watch that will go the distance with you. edifice.casio.com

Review Summary

• Brand & Model: Casio Edifice ECB900PB-1A
• Price: $200
• Who?s it for? You want a solid, everyday watch
• Would I wear it? Every now and again
• What I?d change: The strap just feels cheap, and feels like it’ll get stress cracks before too long. Upgrade to a soft-touch silicone or real rubber, please.
• The best thing about it: Solar and bluetooth, a solid combo