My watch journey cannot be told without divers, and my small wrists. A 43mm Gen 2 Seiko Orange Monster was my first ever watch and began my almost-decade long hunt for the perfect diver. And whilst I’m not a huge fan of diver watches, I’ve always appreciated their robust nature.
Believe me when I said I’ve bought and sold a ridiculous amount of dive watches throughout my obsession with perfection. I try to balance size, robustness, design, and of course, cost. Seiko divers are great, but often too large. Swiss divers are decently sized, but often expensive. Microbrand divers addresses all my concerns, but, I want something with some level of heritage. Honestly, I’m my own biggest enemy – lots of options, but too many conditions.
The worst part is most black bezel, black dial diver out there looks like a submariner to me. Don’t get me wrong the subby is great, but I find it a tad boring. I’ve tried the likes of:
- Certina DS Action Diver 38mm
- Steinhart Ocean 39 (multiple)
- Baltic Aquascaphe (multiple)
- Lorier Neptune (multiple)
- Seiko Divers (multiple x10)
- Longines Hydroconquest
- Monta Ocean King
- Vostok Amphibia
- Nodus
- Oris Diver 65
- Oris Aquis
- and more
You get the idea; not one ever became part of the permanent collection. It gave me the impression that I’m simply not a dive watch person. That’s until I came across a used, 20-year old 37mm Casio diver. Best part? I paid USD$40 for it.
A Little Bit on Casio
Most of us are now familiar with the “God Tier” Casio, as coined by Nico Leonard. And he’s absolutely right, Casio is god tier and in my opinion, the best watch brand out there. Want proof? The Casio F-91w is the most sold watch of all time, standing at over 100 million pieces sold. Done and dusted (yes it’s a $10 watch).
Casio was founded in 1946 and began their business building calculators. It wasn’t until 1974 that they released their quartz timepieces that ran electronically – i.e, digital watches. I mean it makes sense, their digital screens are pretty similar to the screens on electronic calculators. In 1983, Ibe Kikuo introduced the G-Shock into the Casio line up, which quickly began a worldwide sensation. Not even the snobbiest of watch snobs, not even r/watchcirclejerk would hate on a G-Shock. In terms of affordability and durability, Casio watches are insanely difficult to beat.
Nowadays, Casio have since expanded their watch game with over 10 different categories. You’ve got the G-Shock, Oceanus, Edifice, Lineage, Standard Digital, and on it goes. Casio’s catalogue is ridiculous given how many different watches they produce. Their catalogue book would be thicker than the encyclopedia of Earth’s history.
Casio EFL200 Dimensions
Case size: 37mm
Lug to lug: 43mm
Thickness: 11.8mm
Lug width: 18mm
Case: 316L Stainless steel, all brushed finish
Dial: Matte White Dial
Crystal: Mineral Crystal
Movement: Casio Quartz
Water Resistant: 200m / 20 ATM
Strap: Stainless Steel bracelet
Case & Bezel
I’ve got to say mid-size divers at around the 36mm mark are just fantastic. The Casio EFL200 is no different with what can only be described as a thick and stubby case. With it’s relatively standard all brushed finishing, the EFL200 can be described as utilitarian. After all, it’s an inexpensive dive watch. In saying so, the lugs are beefy alongside a really study-feeling case. For only $40, I’ve gotten myself a steal.
The crown is screw-down, and feels very solid when operating the mechanism. I’d expect nothing less of reliability from Casio. It is unsigned, but understandably so at this price point. As expected, a screw-down caseback for the 200m depth rating; aesthetically, it’s rather plain. But hey, it’s a tool watch.
The bezel on the EFL200 is once again very submariner-esque except for the color scheme – black markers and steel bezel. I will say, the steel bezel does a good job hiding scratches. It’s nice to see a lume-pip at 12 oçlock, signaling it’s ability to be used as a diving watch. I’m going to keep repeating this, but I’m stoked I got this for 40 bucks.
Dial & Hands
Most analog Casio’s sport a standard 1 to 12 Arabic numerals – the EFL200 is no different. The numeral indices are applied with a decent coating of lume, albeit a little weaker for a 20 year-old watch. A color-matched date window replaces the 3 o’clock numeral with a seconds-track surrounding the entire dial. The handset is very much subby-inspired, which leads me to believe this is Casio’s affordable answer to the Submariner.
I love me a polar dial sports watch; my first swiss watch crush was actually the polar Explorer 2. Naturally, the white matte dial on the EFL200 makes me a happy collector.
Strap Options
The Casio EFL200 comes stock on an OEM bracelet, which isn’t very good at all. They’re folded links, and whilst comfortable, is rather jingly-jangly. Lucky for me, the EFL200 is a strap monster. I currently have it on a black/white NATO strap, and have already ordered a few 18mm straps.
Regardless of what straps you put the Casio EFL200 on, it’s undoubtedly going to look handsome . Personally, white dials have always look better on various straps than black dials. Especially more colorful ones, which is what I’ve got in store for the EFL200.
Comfort & Wearability
It’s shouldn’t come as a surprise that a 37mm diver is extremely comfortable on my 6 inch wrists. Unlike the SKX013, it isn’t top-heavy, which is the main reason why I don’t own the 013. The Casio EFL200 is thin, but thick at the same time. I know, it’s a weird contradiction, and yet that’s exactly how it feels like on the wrist. Chunky but comfy, I think that’s a good way to describe it.
With a decent strap pairing, you can wear the EFL200 practically wherever you go. I mean, it’s got 200m water resistance and Japanese reliability. How could it ever go wrong? I prefer wearing mine on more casual occasions. When I’m wearing a plain white t-shirt and some jeans or chinos, the EFL200 is a damn good companion.
Go get yourself a Casio EFL200
While Casio has long discontinued the EFL line, the EFL200 is available on the used market. You can find them relatively easily on eBay.But depending on how much of a “discontinued” premium, you might want to give it a miss. If you can grab one for under $100, I’d say you’re doing pretty well. Anything more than that you’re paying a premium for rarity. That’s not to say it isn’t worth more than $100, but there are other options at that price range. A Vostok Amphibia comes to mind, and even entry-level Citizen’s.
Casio EFL200: Closing Thoughts
Aesthetics: Casio’s take on the submariner, with it’s Casio’s watchmaking DNA all over the dial. Nothing crazily impressive here, just a utilitarian, standard dive watch from Casio.
Comfort: At close to 37mm, it’s one of the more comfortable diver’s my 6 inch wrists has had the pleasure of experiencing. It wears small, but it feels like a mini beast.
Price: I got mine for USD$40 used, that’s an insane steal. They trend for around USD$100 – $USD200, but I’d try and get them under a hundred bucks. It’s essentially a mini-duro but with more personality.
