A watch for history: Honda marks 60 years of Formula 1 victories
A tribute in leather and titanium: the Casio Edifice Special Watch Celebrating 60 Years of Honda F1 Victories
Honda, a name synonymous with innovation and performance in motorsport, is marking a historic moment: 60 years since its first Formula 1 victory. The anniversary is celebrated through an exceptional collaboration with renowned watchmaker Casio, under their high-performance sports line, Edifice.
This limited edition model is not just a watch, but a time capsule, a tribute to the legendary Honda RA272 that, on October 24, 1965, won the Mexican Grand Prix. This victory went down in history as the first ever by a Japanese car in F1 with an engine and chassis built entirely by Honda – a testament to its engineering philosophy.
Design Borrowed Directly from the Race Track
The watch, called the Casio Edifice ECB-2300HR-1A, is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, directly involving Honda teams in the planning process:
- Legendary Paint: The crown ring is finished in the original Championship White paint, the same pristine shade used on the RA272’s bodywork. The top coat provides a beige-toned gloss, replicating the authentic look of the race car.
- Commemorative Details: A gold “60” is subtly engraved at the 60-minute position, while the red ring on the dial is inspired by the Hinomaru (red circle) design featured on the RA272 and the Japanese flag.
- Victory Message: A gold metal ring inside the watch bears the inscription “Veni, Vidi, Vici” alongside the car number, “11,” recreating the triumphant message sent by the Honda team after the historic race.
- Mechanical Heart on the Strap: The strap is a collector’s item in itself, with an engraved diagram of the RA272’s 1.5-liter V12 engine. The strap combines nappa leather on the outside with suede leather on the inside, giving it a premium and sporty look.
- Recreated Tachometer: At 9 o’clock, the chronograph hand integrated into the dial faithfully reproduces the design of the RA272’s tachometer, including the color scheme, font, needle shape and red zone marking, essential for a racing engine.
In addition, the watch uses Tough Solar technology, converting sunlight and artificial light into energy, ensuring extended autonomy, and the case back features a special laser-engraved Honda logo dedicated to this 60th anniversary.
A Price Estimate for Honda Fans in Romania
The commemorative model in question, the Casio Edifice ECB-2300HR-1A, has been listed in Japan with a suggested retail price (tax included) of ¥66,000, according to the latest information.
- Estimated Conversion: This amount translates, at the current exchange rate, to approximately 426 USD or about 400 EUR (an estimate that may vary).
How much would it cost in Romania?
To estimate the price on the Romanian market, we need to take into account additional factors:
- International Price (400 - 530 USD): On international markets, advertised prices vary between approximately 530 USD (according to some older sources) and 426 USD (the official price in Japan).
- Taxes and VAT (19%): The Romanian value-added tax is added to the import price.
- Merchants' Margin and Shipping/Distribution Costs.
- Previous Edifice x Honda Limited Edition Prices: Previous models, such as the EFS-560HR-1A or ECB-2000HR-1A, were sold on the local market at prices that generally ranged between RON 1,700 and RON 2,500.
Price Estimate in Romania (ECB-2300HR-1A):
Considering that it is a top Edifice model, with advanced features (Tough Solar, Bluetooth), premium materials (carbon/steel, sapphire, nappa leather) and being a strictly limited edition, we estimate that the retail price on the Romanian market for the Casio Edifice ECB-2300HR-1A could be around:
2,200 RON - 3,000 RON
For Honda fans and watch collectors: Given the limited edition nature and high demand for Edifice x Honda Racing collaborations, this watch is not just a timekeeping instrument, but a collector's item with historical value and potential for price appreciation on the secondary market.