The Casio G Shock: history, features and models reviewed

Introduction

Casio G Shock is a line of watches manufactured by Casio that has become iconic; engineer Kikuo Ibe designed it in 1983 to create a watch capable of withstanding hard shocks, being water-resistant and having a long-lasting battery life.

The G–Shock series still keeps all these essential features intact (according to the so called Triple 10), mainly its mechanical shock resistance and its resistance to vibrations.

Over the years, this product line has opened a new niche geared towards people looking for a multi-functional wristwatch suited for the most extreme situations and equipped with excellent technological features. It is a brand within the brand.

With its MR–G series, Casio aims at premium tech-savvy users who appreciate and look for specific and advanced features; this new series is also an excellent challenge for Casio as it aims at guaranteeing high resistance standards to shocks and vibrations while using metal cases and bracelets.

The Casio G Shock MRG-G2000HT-1A

At BaselWorld 2017, Casio unveiled a new limited edition belonging to the MR–G series; a premium G Shock series called the Casio G Shock MRGG2000HT-1A. It is a bold watch and successor to the MRG–G1000HT released last year.

The aim is to combine the Japanese brand’s advanced technology with traditional Japanese techniques into a single timepiece. The Casio G Shock MRGG2000HT-1A will be produced in 500 pieces only.

From an aesthetic point of view, it has 54,7mm by 49,8mm by 16,9mm in size. Also, sharp edges on the case and bracelet enhance the hefty look; yet, it wears comfortably thanks to its 153–gram weight. Nonetheless, smaller wrists won’t find it their choice either.

The brand worked hard to make the Casio G Shock MRGG2000HT-1A more premium than its standard production; flat surfaces and edges are nicely done and have outstanding build quality.

Also, consider that it is manufactured in Casio‘s pilot plant in Japan, where mechanisms and parts are assembled in dust-free rooms under the strictest quality criteria in the industry. The satin-finish process and the placement of the sapphire glass are all hand-executed.

One of the most exciting characteristics, since it is entirely hand-made by the Japanese master Bihon Asano from Kyoto, is the unique “metalworking process” as seen on the bracelet’s mid link and the bezel (the latter undergoes a specific DLC treatment that gives it a unique blue-ish tone).

The metalworking process is called Kasumi Tsuchime and draws inspiration from the Tsuiki technique (the artist uses a little hammer to hit the item and shape it rhythmically) that is over 1,000 years old, and still adopted today to craft Katana swords, thus making them aesthetically beautiful and their surfaces extremely hard.

As far as the tech sheet is concerned, the sophisticated Bluetooth system called “Self–Charging” – allowing the user to charge the watch through any light source via a solar panel – pairs with the “Self–Updating” function.

It updates the date and the hours in real-time by combining Internet (smartphone via Bluetooth), the GPS (integrated sensor) and a radio connection to the closest atomic clock (integrated sensor).

This Casio G Shock MRGG2000HT-1A uses the “Self–Adjusting” function through the network connection to guarantee the time-zones system’s more up-to-date and precise functioning.

The link to your smartphone works via an app, allowing you to check the battery life or use the integrated GPS to monitor some activities.

The watch’s functioning is updated regularly thanks to the integration between radio signals, the GPS and the Internet radio (3-way Time Sync).

To sum things up, this powerful and sophisticated Casio timepiece epitomizes years of technological advancements of the G–Shock series and of the best Japanese ancient culture.

The 7,400USD price is high and flagship-product driven. Yet, if you consider it was conceived for specific markets (mainly the US and Japan), its limited quantity (500 pieces) and the hand-made crafting techniques), you will consider the asking price somewhat justified.

Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW-2000 1AER

It looks like the new Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW–2000 1AER was created in Hasbro‘s labs by Transformers‘ designers; this is the last frontier of the GPS–Hybrid Wave Ceptor from the Casio‘s G Shock series.

The truth is that the iconic design of the G Shock timepiece has undergone an aesthetical and a technical evolution; it is the result of a continuous improvement process (also knowns as “Kaizen”), which is part of Japanese industrial culture.

If Casio tried to simplify its aesthetic side through the Edifice collection by mimicking more classic watch-making design, the Casio‘s G Shock Gravitymaster GPW–2000 1AER is purposely complicated both aesthetically and technically instead.

It results from an extreme search for performance while preserving a whole analogue visualization of all the functions in high-end models.

The G Shock‘s modular structure is functional due to its already-known resistance characteristics and my point of view. Based on my personal experience, it is also valuable to simplify servicing operations on a timepiece that, objectively speaking, is quite out of the ordinary.

The Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW–2000 1AER is shock-resistant, centrifugal force-resistant and vibration-resistant, and there is no doubt that the test specifications this timepiece has to go through are extremely tough.

The watch abides by the ISO standard rule for magnetic field resistance, and Casio also made available a few videos on its official channels that show the case of a G Shock undergoing the three tests mentioned above.

The acronym “GPS-Hybrid Wave Ceptor” indicates the watch’s ability to self-adjust both through the GPS network and, if the radio signal is better received than the GPS signal, through the controlled radio signal too.

Inside the strap, Casio‘s engineers added a carbon fibre insert to further increase the traction resistance both longitudinally and transversally according to the selected texture. However, what struck me most was Casio‘s decision to use six double coil motors to independently operate the hands and the two separate annular disks used for the date and day/functions.

The hands that manage the instantaneous measurement function are required to work under very high starting torques, while the need to be shock-resistant is the main reason the second central hand adopts a carbon fibre composite.

Among the features of the Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW–2000 1AER that stand out are all those functions seen as standard on Casio‘s related products; the timepiece’s ability to connect to a smartphone through a dedicated application, the time display of over three hundred cities around the globe and two time zones simultaneously.

The Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW–2000 1AER also features a LED light that lightens the dial in low light conditions. The G Shock Gravitymaster GPW–2000 1AER is a tool watch; it is the top G Shock Gravitymaster timepiece, and it is also an instrument that you can use to explore endless features, whether you are a pilot, a micro-engineering die-hard fan or simply a collector of the ultimate G Shock.

The Casio G Shock DW-6900 McDonalds Big Mac

It was April 14th when the Casio G Shock DW–6900 McDonald’s Big Mac popped up on Rakuten.jp. The timepiece, crafted in 1,000 copies to mark the most famous hamburger company’s 50th anniversary, was initially launched at a retail price of 14,900 Yen – about €114 at today’s exchange rate, approximately – and sold out in a blink of an eye. From that day on, the G Shock DW–6900 McDonald’s Big Mac‘s asking price has skyrocketed, and its quotation increased at an outrageous pace. How can we explain such a staggering success?

The Casio G Shock DW–6900 McDonald Big Mac today has achieved an average market price of around 800€ – according to the fee charged to any of the available NOS samples we’ve seen – which is a 600% mark–up over retail. It is nothing short of extraordinary.

Who’s ready to spend seven times as much as the sticker price? We guess a serial G Shock collector would – and there’s not a shame given what collectors are ready to pay for specific watches.

Believe it or not, G Shock Limited edition watches‘ collectors are as avid as mechanical watches’. While product and placement are different, these audiences share a similar approach to collecting items.

It is pretty hard to explain, yet the combination with iconic brand McDonald’s ended up with something unique and unexpected.

A G Shock DW–69 0 is quintessentially Casio G Shock as the Big Mac is McDonald’s. The Big Mac shaped packaging and the dial remind the signature multi-layer sandwich.

Also, the case looks like a hamburger, and the watch’s name sounds good, too: G Shock Big Mac. What about its technical features?

It is not the talking point here since its street price is worth a Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW-2000 1AER; however, the latter won’t be as unique as a Casio G Shock DW–6900 McDonald’s Big Mac.

The Casio G Shock GMW-B5000 series

Thirty-five years after the first G Shock was launched on the market (1983), Casio introduced an evolution of the 5000 series to mark 35 years of G Shock legacy.

Sincę the introduction of the DW–5000C, the 5000 series has virtually remained unchanged; it has preserved the classic square case ever since associated with the brand.

The innovations introduced with the launch of the new G Shock B5000 are several, showing steady advancements in terms of technology.

What’s new?

The main innovations introduced are three, and one of them is obvious. The other two ones, however, are hidden but not less attractive.

The case, the bracelet and the bezel are entirely made of stainless steel (on three out of four models) – adding a “premium” touch compared to standard synthetic rubber synonymous with G Shock and usually combined with carbon fibre and other materials.

It is not the first time Casio has crafted a metal-looking watch, but the brand never attempted to mimic the MR-G approach with the 5000 series before.

Increased resistance to shocks.

A G Shock watch’s mission is to be virtually indestructible. Steel, therefore, represented an extra challenge for the “military” standards the brand has set itself.

For this very purpose, Casio‘s engineers injected a new resin between the case and the bezel to increase the mechanical properties of the steel.

Functions

Although it is not on par with a GPW, here are several features. You can connect the watch to your smartphone using the “Connected Engine” technology; by downloading a dedicated app, you can link the wristwatch and software it and add new features, like setting the correct time in any part of the world.

Why not a B5000 smartwatch, instead?

Given the watch to smartphone link, why didn’t engineers opt for making the G Shock GMW–B5000 kind of a smartwatch? Like for like, a smartwatch offers similar functions. I guess Casio aimed at making its B5000 a somewhat different product.

The B5000 is a sturdy watch and more versatile than any ordinary G Shock watch. Unlike a MudMaster, for instance, we can easily use this timepiece during the most extreme occasions (involving water, dust, a fast acceleration) as much as during an aperitif.

A B5000 is not out of place when worn under the cuff of a shirt. In short, Casio made this watch to be as resistant and enduring as any G–Shock and a faithful reissue of the first-ever one by Kikuo Ibe.

Available versions.

As always, Casio introduced plenty of options. The G Shock GMW–B5000 comes in four models, the difference being the strap’s material and the surface treatments:

• GMW–B5000D–1: steel case and bracelet, silver colour
• GMW–B5000–1: steel case, black resin bracelet, silver colour
• GMW–B5000TFG–9: steel case and bracelet with IP Gold treatment. It is the model celebrating G-Shock’s 35th anniversary.
• GMW–B5000TFC–1: the case and the bracelet are in DLC-treated steel to increase scratch resistance. It has a beautiful dark grey tone. It is a collab product crafted om partnership with Yoshida & Co. and comes in a special box made by Porter. It is a 500-piece limited edition model and features the G–Shock 35th-anniversary logo on the case-back.

The design.

Is the G Shock B5000 anything familiar? Yes, it is – it reminds square-shaped mechanical watches. It takes inspiration from some iconic Swiss Made timepieces in either case and bracelet design.

We see some traits common to Rado timepieces regarding surface resistance to shocks and scratches, but technologies are much different.

Final thoughts

Casio nailed with its 5000 series by introducing all the functions you’d expect a G Shock watch offers while packing them into a premium object. To sum things up, I think they nailed it, and the only letdown is the weight (167 grams) – reasonably high for a digital steel watch.

(Photo: Peter Tung)

Gaetano C @Horbiter®