As Honda prepares to return as Formula 1’s engine supplier for the 2026 season through a partnership with Aston Martin, their latest collaboration with the Casio brand is firmly set on the glorious past. The new Casio Edifice ECB-2300HR-1A is not concerned with future rules or modern technology, but instead celebrates a key moment in Honda’s racing history – the 60th anniversary of the brand’s first Formula 1 win.
That historic moment happened at the Mexican Grand Prix in 1965, when Richie Ginther led the Honda RA272 to victory, making it the first Japanese car and engine to win in motorsport’s highest echelon.
Dedication to the year 1965
As reported by Carscoops, the watch faithfully reflects this achievement through numerous design elements. The winning white color Championship White was used, the same color that adorned Honda’s winning cars of that era. The red ring surrounding the dial is a reference to the nose of the RA272 car, while the sub-dial at 9 o’clock mimics the look of analog tachometers from the period.
Almost every visible element is directly inspired by Honda’s racing past. The ceramic bezel is finished in Championship White, and the top of the dial features a gold accent with the number 60 in honor of the anniversary.
The special details continue on the back of the watch case, where there is a laser engraving with the Honda logo. Casio has also added an extremely striking strap. The exterior is made of white leather with printed text detailing the RA272, including its 230hp 1.5-litre V12 engine. That engine spun up to 12,000 revolutions per minute and weighed only 215 kg.
In addition, the belt buckle is gold-colored and engraved with the number 11, the winning number of the car, along with the phrase “Veni, Vidi, Vici”. The inside of the strap is lined with soft red suede, with a pattern based on the original technical drawings of Honda’s compact V12 engine.
In addition to historical references, the ECB-2300HR-1A also offers a whole range of modern functionalities. It uses Casio’s solar charging system and connects via Bluetooth to a mobile phone app to adjust settings. The feature list includes world time, multi-function stopwatch, countdown timer, perpetual calendar, multiple alarms and LED lighting. The dial is protected by sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, while the strap supports, made from a suspension-style combination of carbon and steel, add a subtle motorsport-inspired structural detail.
Availability and price
Unlike many automotive-themed watches, this one isn’t outrageously expensive. It has already been launched in Japan at a price of 66,000 yen, which is approximately 360 euros. Availability and pricing for the European market have not yet been announced, although some examples have already appeared on eBay for the much less reasonable price of over €1,000.