There are watches that nod to motorsport, and then there are watches that breathe it. The Casio EDIFICE Honda Special Edition of the 60th Anniversary of the First Victory in F1—officially the EDIFICE SOSPENSIONE ECB‑2300HR‑1A—firmly belongs in the latter camp. After spending time with it on the wrist, it’s clear this is far more than a commemorative colourway. It’s a deeply considered tribute to one of the most important moments in Japanese motorsport history, executed with the quiet confidence that Casio Edifice has refined over decades.
And with the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix unfolding right now in Melbourne, the timing couldn’t be better to strap this one on.
Why This Anniversary Matters
On October 24, 1965, Honda achieved its first-ever Formula 1 victory at the Mexican Grand Prix with the legendary RA272, becoming the first Japanese manufacturer to win an F1 race—a milestone that reshaped global perceptions of Japanese engineering. Sixty years on, Casio and Honda have come together to celebrate that moment with a watch that doesn’t just reference history—it tells the story.
Every design choice on the ECB‑2300HR‑1A traces back to the RA272: from colour, to typography, to materials, to hidden engravings that reward close inspection.
Design: Motorsport Storytelling Done Right
The first thing you notice is the bezel finished in authentic “Championship White”, the exact colour used on the RA272’s bodywork. Casio notes this is the first time this colour has been applied to an exterior Edifice component, and it absolutely sets the tone.
From there, the details keep coming:
- A gold “60” at the 60‑minute marker marks the anniversary with restraint rather than excess.
- A red dial ring evokes the Hinomaru, mirroring both the Japanese flag and the RA272’s livery.
- The 9 o’clock sub‑dial is styled after the RA272’s tachometer, complete with period‑correct colour accents and redline markings.
Flip the watch over—or even just glance at the strap—and you realise how deep this collaboration runs.
The Strap: Unexpectedly Brilliant
Casio deserves real praise here. The strap pairs Nappa leather on the outer surface with Ultrasuede lining underneath, delivering one of the most comfortable Edifice straps to date. On wrist, it’s supple from day one—no break‑in period, no stiffness—and breathes well during long wear.
What truly elevates it, though, is the storytelling:
- The strap features technical drawings and specifications of the RA272’s 1.5‑litre V12 engine.
- The keeper is engraved with “Veni, Vidi, Vici” and the race number 11, referencing the message sent back to Honda HQ after that historic win.
It’s the kind of detail that watch nerds love and casual observers simply find cool.
Under the Hood: Proper Edifice Muscle
Beyond the motorsport romance, this is still very much a modern Edifice—and that’s a good thing. Key specs include:
- Case size: 50.2 × 45.8 × 11.8 mm
- Weight: 67 g
- Materials: Carbon fibre‑reinforced resin, stainless steel, and resin
- Crystal: Scratch‑resistant sapphire
- Water resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Tough Solar (solar‑powered)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth smartphone sync via CASIO WATCHES app
- Functions: World time (300+ cities), stopwatch, countdown timer, alarms, auto time adjustment, phone finder
Despite the dimensions, the watch wears comfortably thanks to the SOSPENSIONE lug design, inspired by suspension arms. It sits flat, balanced, and secure—ideal for all‑day wear.
The Perfect Watch for Race Week in Melbourne
With the Australian Grand Prix kicking off the F1 season at Albert Park this weekend, there’s something especially satisfying about wearing a watch that celebrates Honda’s F1 roots while the engines are firing just a few kilometres away.
It feels thematically right: a Japanese engineering tribute on the wrist, timed to the opening laps of a brand‑new F1 era, in a city that lives and breathes motorsport every March.
Final Thoughts
The Casio Edifice x Honda ECB‑2300HR‑1A succeeds because it avoids the trap of being merely “special edition”. Instead, it’s thoughtful, historically grounded, and genuinely enjoyable to live with. The comfort of the strap, the legibility of the dial, and the sheer density of meaningful detail make it one of the most compelling Edifice collaborations to date.
For Honda fans, F1 tragics, or anyone who appreciates engineering‑driven design, this watch doesn’t just mark time—it marks history.
And honestly? There’s no better weekend to wear it than Australian Grand Prix weekend. 🏁
GNOMONIST 