Casio presents two exclusive Edifice watches produced in a limited edition and made in collaboration with Honda Racing: these are two chronographs whose bezels have been made from a special alloy used in Honda F1 power units. The new EQB-1000HRS and EQB-1000HR are therefore the result of the collaboration with Honda Racing and have been specially created in a limited edition of only 900 and 2,900 pieces respectively for the whole world. Honda Racing is the racing department of the Honda Motor Company, Ltd. Since 2018, the company has been supplying power units to the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 team, which is also sponsored by Casio Edifice. The collaboration between Honda Racing and Edifice, both of Japanese origin, was founded on the basis of a common quest for high-tech functionality. The first collaboration model, the EQS-800HR, was unveiled in October 2018. Given the remarkable success of this first model last year, Casio decided to produce a second series of watches with the support of Honda Racing. The new chronographs were created in collaboration with HRD Sakura, Honda's research centre that develops motorsports technology. Its mission is to continuously improve Honda's racing department and to excite motor racing enthusiasts around the world by bringing their dreams to life. One of the main innovations of these two models is the material they are made of. In fact, Honda supplied a special alloy, titanium aluminide, which is used for the valves. This gave rise to two collaboration models made from the material that is used in Honda power units. In the EQB-1000HRS, whose red strap recalls the colour of the Honda brand, the special alloy was used for the bezel, which is also equipped with a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating, which, in Honda power units, increases the robustness of the surface. This finish makes the bezel perfectly scratch-resistant. The new EQB-1000HRS and EQB-1000HR are based on the EQB-1000, a slim-profile chronograph equipped with a solar charging system and Bluetooth connectivity for smartphones. The dials feature a red/black graduated motif reminiscent of the moment of combustion in the engine cylinder. The Honda Racing logo appears on the dial and back of both models and on the strap of the EQB-1000HRS. These models are sold in special packaging together with a postcard with photos of the Honda power unit and the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 car. Valves are among the most important parts of a racing car engine. In addition to opening and closing more than 100 times per second, they must withstand the extreme pressure of continuous gas combustion. This is why they are made of titanium aluminide, a light but very hard alloy characterised by excellent strength and heat resistance. This material is also perfect for the scratch-resistant bezel that has to withstand the harsh conditions of Formula 1 racing. The strap is made of Kevlar sandwiched between two layers of Cordura, a combination that not only improves the lightness and wearability of the new chronographs, but also makes them very resistant. The two models are on sale at a recommended retail price of €799 for the EQB-1000HRS and €499 for the EQB-1000HR, at G-SHOCK Corso Como in Milan and at selected Casio Edifice outlets throughout Italy.
