With the summer time break nonetheless in full swing, it’s time for an additional Sunday Morning Showdown. In at the moment’s match-up, two watches that would have simply made on your excellent reasonably priced summer time watch. However that might even be promoting them quick, as a result of they’re nice for each day put on at a pleasant worth. Daan’s decide this week is the brand-new Casio Edifice EFK-200 that prices €299. It goes up towards Jorg’s Citizen Tsuyosa, which carries the identical price ticket and has turn out to be the benchmark for an reasonably priced, fashionable each day wearer. It additionally beat the Casio Edifice EFK-100 and EFK-110 in earlier installments of Sunday Morning Showdown. Is thrice the attraction for Casio? Let’s discover out!
Casio is releasing new mechanical choices rapidly after one other. The first match-up towards the Tsuyosa was in August 2025, when the EFK-100 misplaced to the Citizen Tsuyosa by a comparatively small margin of 58% to 42%. The second time was solely 4 months in the past, when the up to date EFK-110 misplaced by an analogous margin, taking 41% of the votes, whereas the Citizen took 59%. In itself, that isn’t significantly stunning, as the primary distinction is the up to date caliber. On this third match-up, the Tsuyosa takes on the EFK-200. It’s a brand new mannequin vary with a distinctly completely different look in comparison with the EFK-100/110. Can this new collection lastly beat the favored Citizen Tsuyosa? Let’s discover out!
Final week on Sunday Morning Showdown…
Earlier than we hand it over to Daan and Jorg, a fast recap of final week’s Showdown. Final Sunday, we put two well-liked divers towards one another at completely different budgets. Some individuals appeared confused about why we put two watches up towards one another which might be miles aside in worth. Ultimately, it’s all about making selections that aren’t all the time primarily based on comparable specs or shut costs. On this case, the easy thought was that, not too way back, it appeared that Longines was eyeing a transfer to compete with Tudor. However with Tudor’s worth will increase over the previous few years, the manufacturers’ worth factors have grown more and more far aside. It sparked final week’s match-up with the easy query of whether or not the Tudor is your decide, regardless of costing greater than twice as a lot because the Longines HydroConquest. Because it seems, it was a extremely shut name. The Tudor ended up taking the win with 51% of the vote, in comparison with 49% for the Longines. Let’s discover out if it is going to be as shut this week. Over to Daan and Jorg.
Jorg: Citizen Tsuyosa 37
Do you ever have déjà vu, Mrs. Lancaster? Film lovers will know what Mrs. Lancaster’s reply was to Phil Connors’ query within the 1993 basic Groundhog Day. My reply is a particular “sure.” Particularly after developing with this week’s pairing for our Sunday Morning Showdown collection. Though I wasn’t a part of that first installment, I went up towards Gerard within the second Citizen versus Casio battle. In that match-up, I made a case for the Citizen similar to I’ll at the moment. A giant half is the attraction of the Tsuyosa collection, which I’ll get to in only a minute.
However let’s begin off with the Casio EFK-200. The factor with this new collection and with Casio’s Edifice collection is that I recognize them, however I don’t really feel any emotion after I see and put on them. It’s a problem that’s primarily brought on by its design. They usually really feel considerably distant and chilly. It’s much less prevalent within the model’s Classic or Timeless collections, which characteristic a number of the good designs which have turn out to be a part of my childhood reminiscences. Moreover, I like G-Shock and have been a fan for a very long time. So it’s undoubtedly a really particular factor that applies to the Edifice line.
The Citizen Tsuyosa feels proper each time
And it’s not that I believe there’s a complete lot mistaken with the designs as a result of each the EFK-110 and the EFK-200 really feel well-balanced. However there may be a very industrial really feel to them that I’m not the most important fan of. It’s a sense that isn’t there every time I’ve worn one of many many Tsuyosas which have handed by means of the Fratello workplace. Whereas I’m not essentially a fan of the small seconds collection with its extremely adorned dials, as a result of that design feels considerably unbalanced.
However ever since I had the possibility to evaluate the primary collection of 40mm Tsuoysa fashions in 2022, I’ve been impressed by them. As I defined in my review, the watches instantly grew to become the perfect reasonably priced choice in the marketplace. The appears aren’t essentially authentic, taking inspiration from the Rolex Oyster Perpetual and OysterQuartz. However it instantly provides the Tsuyosa collection character and soul. I like that, and that’s why I instantly clicked with the completely different fashions.
Shifting from the 40mm fashions to the smaller 37mm Tsuyosa
After that preliminary collection of 40mm NJ150 fashions, the second series of NJ151 and NJ153 models launched some extra dial colours that I like. Final yr, the model launched the smaller 37mm model, and it’s my go-to at this level. I began sporting smaller watches over time, so the marginally smaller Tsuyosa follows that private journey flawlessly. The Tsuyosa 37 has a 37 × 41.9 × 11.5mm case and isn’t dramatically smaller than the 40 × 45 × 11.7mm Tsuyosa 40. Nonetheless, it feels extra visually balanced. On prime of that, regardless of being smaller, it nonetheless has loads of presence on my 18.5cm (7.3″) wrist due to the pure stream from the case to the bracelet. As with most integrated-bracelet watches, they have an inclination to put on bigger than the dimensions may counsel. The Tsuyosa 37 isn’t any exception.
On the subject of the design, I like how the angular case traces are contrasted by the President-style bracelet. At first look, it won’t make sense. However put a Tsuyosa in your wrist, and the items of the puzzle fall into place effortlessly. There’s a pure click on that I utterly miss with the EFK-200, and that’s essential in making a love for a collection. If there may be one factor I believe the Tsuyosa 37 might be improved on, it’s the dial variations. Particularly while you have a look at the numerous nice 40mm dial choices obtainable, the 37mm collection might additionally profit from additions just like the champagne, shiny orange, or copper-tone variations.
It’s straightforward to choose the Tsuyosa; it’s tougher to choose a favourite model
Powering the Tsuyosa is the caliber 8210. Basically, it’s the identical Miyota 8215 caliber that powers Daan’s EFK-200. Each calibers run at 21,600vph and supply a 40-hour energy reserve. As such, there is no such thing as a technical distinction between the 2. That leaves appears and construct high quality. Contemplating the latter, the Casios really feel strong and durable. Which may counsel the EFK-200 collection has higher construct high quality. However that isn’t the complete fact. The Casios really feel sturdier, however the Citizen has a special bracelet that’s way more versatile and due to this fact way more comfy. On prime of that, it appears higher, however let’s persist with the consolation.
On the wrist, the Citizen actually wins. Moreover my desire for the Tsuyosa’s appears, I additionally like sporting the Residents extra. They’re tremendous comfy, making the Tsuyosa the proper collection for each day put on. I’ve said on a number of events that the Citizen Tsuyosa collection is the perfect your cash can purchase at this €300 worth level. And I stand by that assertion, additionally after Casio unveiled its new EFK-200 collection. However let me know why you assume that the Casios are higher than the Citizen, Daan.
Daan: Casio Edifice EFK-200
Thanks, Jorg, and good morning to you and the Fratelli. I’ve to begin by saying that I agree with you. I additionally wasn’t actually captivated by the Casio EFK-100 and EFK-110. It’s true that they fastened the dimensions within the second iteration. However I nonetheless don’t actually like that King Seiko-esque angular case, particularly for the reason that case and bracelet don’t look effectively built-in. Nonetheless, this new EFK-200 speaks much more to me.
The brand new 38mm case of the EFK-200 bends down drastically towards the bracelet. This makes it appear to be the case and bracelet had been made for one another. It appears much more built-in than the earlier iterations. As well as, the entire design appears extra ergonomic. I haven’t really seen the watches in particular person but, however I can think about they put on so much higher than the EFK-100 and EFK-110.
A hodgepodge with an id disaster
I get what you imply, Jorg, while you speak about taking inspiration from the Rolex OP and OysterQuartz. Nonetheless, in my eyes, that additionally makes the Citizen Tsuyosa a bit little bit of a hodgepodge. I just like the case itself, however the dial is certainly a direct copy of an OP, together with the magnifier up prime. Even the dial colours and finishes appear to be they arrive straight out of a Rolex catalog. I additionally really feel the dial aperture is just too huge for the case dimension. Perhaps the bezel is just too skinny, however the proportions on the Casio are a lot better.
The opposite factor is the Tsuyosas’ bracelet. It appears good with these rounded hyperlinks, however once more, it’s a bit too harking back to a President bracelet. I additionally dislike the polished middle hyperlink; that’s simply not crucial on an built-in sports activities watch. It’ll solely get scratched alongside the best way. However my greatest critique is that the case and bracelet design don’t match. The case is extra angular, and the bracelet is extra rounded. The place’s the connection between the 2?
Its personal id
I believe Casio did an important job with the design of the brand new EFK-200. The cushion-shaped bezel is an authentic contact, and I like how the polished bevels run throughout, together with on the bracelet. That’s a a lot better approach so as to add luster to a design than merely sprucing the bracelet’s middle hyperlink. As well as, I really feel the proportions are excellent throughout.
The dial and bezel each have the suitable dimension, and the bracelet’s taper follows the case form completely. The latter is one thing I wrestle with on the Citizen. It nearly appears just like the bracelet on the Tsuyosa is a bit too petite. Perhaps it tapers too closely, I’m undecided, however one thing is off.
Third time’s the attraction
So, no, I wasn’t actually a fan of Casio’s EFK-series both. Nonetheless, I believe I’m slowly beginning to really feel one thing for the brand new EFK-200. They nailed each the dimensions and the proportions. The extra rounded design speaks to me way more than the earlier angular one, and, particularly in comparison with the Citizen Tsuyosa, it has a stronger id of its personal.
The one factor I don’t actually like in regards to the EFK-200 is the present dial choices. If I had to decide on, I’d go for the cast carbon choice with the metal case and bracelet. But when Casio might introduce some non-fumé, non-textured choices, I’d undoubtedly recognize it. Nonetheless, although, I’d gladly take the cast carbon dial EFK-200 over any of the Tsuyosas.
Solid your vote
So, there you could have it, one other Sunday Morning Showdown. This time with two nice choices on the decrease finish of the market. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply they’re not nice choices to decide on between. Have you ever already made up your thoughts? In that case, solid your vote beneath and depart your feedback there as effectively. And, when you’ve got every other Showdowns in thoughts, please share your options as effectively.
Citizen Tsuyosa 37 Vs. Casio Edifice EFK-200
