Casio releases special edition Edifice collaboration models

Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced the release of new additions to the Edifice line of high-performance metal chronographs with advanced technology. The new Edifice Scuderia Toro Rosso Limited Edition comes in three collaboration models with the Formula One racing team Scuderia Toro Rosso, which Casio supports as an official team partner. Additionally, the new EQS-800HR is a collaboration model with Honda Racing.

The youthful energy and passionate pursuit of speed of the Scuderia Toro Rosso team are an ideal match fo the Edifice brand concept of 'Speed and Intelligence', with Casio an official team partner since 2016. The Edifice Scuderia Toro Rosso Limited Edition features three collaboration models - the ECB-800TR, EFR-563TRJ, and ERA-110TR - that adopt colour schemes echoing hte red and blue colours of the Scuderia Toro Rosso team. 

The dial and back plate on all three models show the team logo, while the ECB-800TR also has a team logo on the strap keeper. All three models come in special packaging that further enhances this special timepiece. The ECB-800TR employs a combination analog and digital display.

It has a bezel made from carbon material, a dial featuring a carbon weave design, and a band made from Dura Soft Fluoro Rubber, which is both durable and soft on the skin. The watch is equipped with Target Time Indicator, which displays the relative difference between a lap time and a target time, and a lap time function that can calculate average speeds.

In addition to alphanumeric characters, the LCD display shows graphs and other information in different ways than is possible by hands alone. The full metal construction EFR-563TRJ, as well as the ERA-110TR, which boasts a 10-year long battery life, have a black ion plating finish throughout the band and case, lending further elegance to the watches.

Additionally, Casio and Honda Racing have also collaborated to realease the new EQS-800HR.  The collaboration between Honda Racing and Edifice, both of which have origins in Japan, was born from their common pursuit of high-tech capabilities.

The new EQS-800HR is a solar-powered watch that boasts a dial made from carbon fibre, a material fundamentally tied to motorsports. The overall watch design adopts the red and white image colours of Honda Racing, highlighted by a white leather band with red lining. The dial features the Honda Racing logo, and the strap keeper and back plate are engraved with the Honda logo. The premium watch comes in special packaging that includes a card commemorating the 1968 Honda F1 RA301 race car.

Scuderia Toro Rosso's driver Pierre Gasly and team principal Franz Tost, as well as Honda Motorsport Division's general manager, Masashi Yamamoto, were present at the press conference hosted by Casio and Toro Rosso to celebrate the launch of the special edition watches. 

"There is no other business so ruled by time schedules than Formula One," says Mr. Tost, highlighting the importance of timing precision. "Also, the design of the watch is making a similar process as the design of a Formula One car. If you compare to a Formula One car, there are so many parallels, especially in the attention to detail. As with the watch and a Formula One car, it is the focus on details that makes the difference."

We also got to briefly speak to Pierre Gasly ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix. As one of the youngest and newest drivers on the Formula One grid, the 22-year old is certainly a talented up-and-coming driver to watch out for. 

SGCM: You're one of the youngest drivers in Formula One this season. What has the experience been like,and what would you say has been the biggest challenge so far?

PG: Yeah, obviously, in the last 12 months, I've got a lot of things going on in my life. Everything was difficult because racing is so unpredictable. I was in Malaysia last year with not much preparation. I didn't really have much time to prepare myself but I tred to make the best and get as much experience as I could to prepare for 2018. I didn't expect to be fighting for fourth place in Bahrain so that was a massive boost for the team, Toro Rosso and myself. I've had to learn a lot, thanks to the experience in the beginning of the year, but I feel a lot more comfortable in the car now. Great things have happened in the last 12 months so hopefully the next 12 months will be as good. 

SGCM: I believe this will be the first Singapore GP for you. So far, what are your impressions of Singapore and the track here? What expectations do you have for the track and for the race?

PG: Singapore is one of my favourite races on the PlayStation so I'm really looking forward to this! The race has a lot of turns, short strips, and it's very technical. It's very challenging and of course, it makes a difference. I have special preparation for the conditions. I train and put in a lot of sessions in the sauna, to get the body sweating to get it ready for the track conditions in Singapore. Just look at other drivers, they passed out at the end of the race, so hydration is reallyimportant. You've got to get used to the conditions of the race because at the end of the race, you're lacking the fluids in your body. 

The new Edifice Scuderia Toro Rosso Limited Edition watches will be available from Casio retailers this month, while the new Edifice Honda Racing EQS-800HR will be available from Casio retailers in October.