{"id":37756,"date":"2022-01-17T11:19:57","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T10:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/?p=37756"},"modified":"2025-06-02T14:36:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T12:36:35","slug":"the-casio-g-shock-timeline-features-and-models-we-have-reviewed-so-far","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/en\/the-casio-g-shock-timeline-features-and-models-we-have-reviewed-so-far\/","title":{"rendered":"The Casio G Shock: history, features and models reviewed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Casio G Shock<\/strong>\u00a0is a line of watches manufactured by\u00a0Casio<\/strong> that has become iconic; engineer Kikuo Ibe<\/strong> designed it in 1983<\/strong> to create a watch capable of withstanding hard shocks, being water-resistant and having a long-lasting battery life.<\/p>\n

The G\u2013Shock<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

\"g-shock<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

With its\u00a0MR\u2013G\u00a0series<\/strong>,\u00a0Casio<\/strong>\u00a0aims at premium tech-savvy users who appreciate and look for specific and advanced features; this new series is also an excellent challenge for\u00a0Casio<\/strong>\u00a0as it aims at guaranteeing high resistance standards to shocks and vibrations while using metal cases and bracelets.<\/p>\n

The Casio G Shock MRG-G2000HT-1A<\/h2>\n

At\u00a0BaselWorld 2017<\/strong>,\u00a0Casio<\/strong>\u00a0unveiled a new limited edition belonging to the\u00a0MR\u2013G\u00a0<\/strong>series; a premium\u00a0G Shock<\/strong>\u00a0series called the\u00a0Casio G Shock MRGG2000HT-1A<\/strong>. It is a bold watch and successor to the\u00a0MRG\u2013G1000HT<\/strong>\u00a0released last year.<\/p>\n

The aim is to combine the Japanese brand\u2019s advanced technology with traditional Japanese techniques into a single timepiece. The\u00a0Casio G Shock MRGG2000HT-1A<\/strong>\u00a0will be produced in\u00a0500 pieces<\/strong>\u00a0only.<\/p>\n

\"Casio<\/p>\n

From an aesthetic point of view, it has 54,7mm<\/strong> by 49,8mm<\/strong> by 16,9mm<\/strong> in size. Also, sharp edges on the case and bracelet enhance the hefty look; yet, it wears comfortably thanks to its 153\u2013gram<\/strong> weight. Nonetheless, smaller wrists won\u2019t find it their choice either.<\/p>\n

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

\"Casio<\/p>\n

Also, consider that it is manufactured in Casio<\/strong>\u2018s pilot plant in Japan<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

\"Casio<\/p>\n

One of the most exciting characteristics, since it is entirely hand-made by the Japanese master Bihon Asano <\/strong>from Kyoto<\/strong>, is the unique \u201cmetalworking process\u201d<\/em> as seen on the bracelet\u2019s mid link and the bezel (the latter undergoes a specific DLC treatment that gives it a unique blue-ish tone).<\/p>\n

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

\"Casio<\/p>\n

As far as the tech sheet is concerned, the sophisticated Bluetooth<\/strong> system called \u201cSelf\u2013Charging\u201d<\/em> \u2013 allowing the user to charge the watch through any light source via a solar panel \u2013 pairs with the \u201cSelf\u2013Updating\u201d<\/em> function.<\/p>\n

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

This Casio G Shock MRGG2000HT-1A<\/strong> uses the \u201cSelf\u2013Adjusting\u201d<\/em> function through the network connection to guarantee the time-zones system\u2019s more up-to-date and precise functioning.<\/p>\n

The link to your smartphone works via an app, allowing you to check the battery life or use the integrated GPS<\/strong> to monitor some activities.<\/p>\n

The watch\u2019s functioning is updated regularly thanks to the integration between radio signals, the GPS<\/strong> and the Internet radio (3-way Time Sync).<\/p>\n

To sum things up, this powerful and sophisticated\u00a0Casio<\/strong>\u00a0timepiece epitomizes years of technological advancements of the\u00a0G\u2013Shock<\/strong>\u00a0series and of the best Japanese ancient culture.<\/p>\n

The\u00a07,400USD<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW-2000 1AER<\/h2>\n

It looks like the new\u00a0Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW\u20132000 1AER<\/strong>\u00a0was created in\u00a0Hasbro<\/strong>\u2018s\u00a0labs by\u00a0Transformers<\/strong>\u2018\u00a0designers; this is the last frontier of the\u00a0GPS\u2013Hybrid\u00a0Wave Ceptor<\/strong>\u00a0from the\u00a0Casio<\/strong>\u2018s\u00a0G Shock<\/strong>\u00a0series.<\/p>\n

The truth is that the iconic design of the\u00a0G Shock<\/strong> timepiece has undergone an aesthetical and a technical evolution; it is the result of a continuous improvement process (also knowns as \u201cKaizen\u201d), which is part of Japanese industrial culture.<\/p>\n

\"Casio<\/p>\n

If Casio<\/strong> tried to simplify its aesthetic side through the Edifice<\/strong> collection by mimicking more classic watch-making design, the Casio<\/strong>\u2018s G Shock Gravitymaster GPW\u20132000 1AER<\/strong> is purposely complicated both aesthetically and technically instead.<\/p>\n

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

The G Shock<\/strong>\u2018s 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.<\/p>\n

\"Casio<\/p>\n

The Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW\u20132000 1AER<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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

The acronym \u201cGPS-Hybrid Wave Ceptor\u201d<\/em> indicates the watch\u2019s ability to self-adjust both through the GPS<\/strong> network and, if the radio signal is better received than the GPS<\/strong> signal, through the controlled radio signal too.<\/p>\n

\"Casio<\/p>\n

Inside the strap, Casio<\/strong>\u2018s 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<\/strong>\u2018s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Casio<\/p>\n

Among the features of the Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW\u20132000 1AER<\/strong> that stand out are all those functions seen as standard on Casio<\/strong>\u2018s related products; the timepiece\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW\u20132000 1AER<\/strong> also features a LED light that lightens the dial in low light conditions. The G Shock Gravitymaster GPW\u20132000 1AER<\/strong> is a tool watch; it is the top G Shock<\/strong> Gravitymaster<\/strong> 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Casio G Shock DW-6900 McDonalds Big Mac<\/h2>\n

It was\u00a0April 14th when the Casio G Shock\u00a0DW\u20136900\u00a0McDonald\u2019s\u00a0Big Mac<\/strong>\u00a0popped up on\u00a0Rakuten.jp<\/strong>. The timepiece, crafted in\u00a01,000 copies<\/strong>\u00a0to mark the most famous hamburger company\u2019s 50th anniversary<\/strong>, was initially launched at a retail price of\u00a014,900 Yen<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 about \u20ac114<\/strong>\u00a0at today\u2019s exchange rate, approximately \u2013 and sold out in a blink of an eye. From that day on, the\u00a0G Shock DW\u20136900 McDonald\u2019s Big Mac<\/strong>\u2018s asking price has skyrocketed, and its quotation increased at an outrageous pace. How can we explain such a staggering success?<\/p>\n

\"casio<\/p>\n

The Casio G Shock DW\u20136900 McDonald Big Mac<\/strong> today has achieved an average market price of around 800<\/strong>\u20ac \u2013 according to the fee charged to any of the available NOS samples we\u2019ve seen \u2013 which is a 600<\/strong>% mark\u2013up over retail. It is nothing short of extraordinary.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s ready to spend seven times as much as the sticker price? We guess a serial G Shock<\/strong> collector would \u2013 and there\u2019s not a shame given what collectors are ready to pay for specific watches.<\/p>\n

\"casio<\/p>\n

Believe it or not, G Shock Limited edition watches<\/strong>\u2018 collectors are as avid as mechanical watches\u2019. While product and placement are different, these audiences share a similar approach to collecting items.<\/p>\n

It is pretty hard to explain, yet the combination with iconic brand McDonald\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0ended up with something unique and unexpected.<\/p>\n

\"casio<\/p>\n

A\u00a0G Shock DW\u201369 0<\/strong>\u00a0is quintessentially\u00a0Casio G Shock<\/strong>\u00a0as the\u00a0Big Mac<\/strong>\u00a0is\u00a0McDonald\u2019s<\/strong>.\u00a0The\u00a0Big Mac<\/strong> shaped packaging and the dial remind the signature multi-layer sandwich.<\/p>\n

Also, the case looks like a hamburger, and the watch\u2019s name sounds good, too: G Shock Big Mac<\/strong>. What about its technical features?<\/p>\n

It is not the talking point here since its street price is worth a Casio G Shock Gravitymaster GPW-2000 1AER<\/strong>; however, the latter won\u2019t be as unique as a Casio G Shock DW\u20136900 McDonald\u2019s Big Mac<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Casio G Shock GMW-B5000 series<\/h2>\n

Thirty-five years after the first\u00a0G Shock<\/strong>\u00a0was launched on the market (1983),\u00a0Casio<\/strong>\u00a0introduced an evolution of the\u00a05000 series<\/strong>\u00a0to mark 35 years of G Shock<\/strong> legacy.<\/p>\n

\"casio<\/p>\n

Sinc\u0119 the introduction of the\u00a0DW\u20135000C<\/strong>, the\u00a05000<\/strong> series<\/strong>\u00a0has virtually remained unchanged; it has preserved the classic square case ever since associated with the\u00a0brand.<\/p>\n

The innovations introduced with the launch of the new\u00a0G Shock B5000<\/strong>\u00a0are several, showing steady advancements in terms of technology.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s new?<\/h3>\n

The main innovations introduced are three, and one of them is obvious. The other two ones, however, are hidden but not less attractive.<\/p>\n

The case, the bracelet and the bezel are entirely made of stainless steel<\/strong> (on three out of four models) \u2013 adding a \u201cpremium\u201d touch compared to standard synthetic rubber synonymous with G Shock<\/strong> and usually combined with carbon fibre and other materials.<\/p>\n

\"casio<\/p>\n

It is not the first time\u00a0Casio<\/strong>\u00a0has crafted a metal-looking watch, but the brand never attempted to mimic the MR-G<\/strong> approach with the\u00a05000 series<\/strong>\u00a0before.<\/p>\n

Increased resistance to shocks.<\/h3>\n

A\u00a0G Shock<\/strong>\u00a0watch\u2019s mission is to be virtually indestructible. Steel, therefore, represented an extra challenge for the \u201cmilitary\u201d standards the brand has set itself.<\/p>\n

For this very purpose,\u00a0Casio<\/strong>\u2018s engineers injected a new resin between the case and the bezel to increase the mechanical properties of the steel.<\/p>\n

Functions<\/h3>\n

Although it is not on par with a\u00a0GPW<\/strong>, here are several features. You can connect the watch to your smartphone using the \u201cConnected Engine\u201d<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

Why not a B5000 smartwatch, instead?<\/h3>\n

Given the watch to smartphone link, why didn\u2019t engineers opt for making the\u00a0G Shock GMW\u2013B5000<\/strong>\u00a0kind of a\u00a0smartwatch? Like for like, a smartwatch offers similar functions. I guess\u00a0Casio<\/strong>\u00a0aimed at making its\u00a0B5000<\/strong>\u00a0a somewhat different product.<\/p>\n

\"casio<\/p>\n

The\u00a0B5000<\/strong>\u00a0is a sturdy watch and more versatile than any ordinary\u00a0G Shock<\/strong>\u00a0watch. Unlike a\u00a0MudMaster<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

\"casio<\/p>\n

A\u00a0B5000<\/strong>\u00a0is 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\u00a0G\u2013Shock\u00a0and a faithful reissue of the first-ever one by\u00a0Kikuo\u00a0Ibe.<\/p>\n

Available versions.<\/h3>\n

As always, Casio<\/strong> introduced plenty of options. The G Shock GMW\u2013B5000<\/strong> comes in four models, the difference being the strap\u2019s material and the surface treatments:<\/p>\n