G-Shock Watches – Are they as good as we think?

Introduction

G-Shock Watches – Are they as good as we think?

Not everyone is good at being on time. Even in our current world of smartphones that can do pretty much anything and everything. Our wristwatches remain the best thing we can own that will help us organise our days. 

If you’re one for outdoor adventures, you’ll be needing something rugged to keep up with you. One that’s a bit stronger than your everyday watch. One of the most hard-wearing watches in the world is the G-Shock from Casio.

They’re known for being pretty brutish. G-Shocks are great for those who belong in the military or otherwise are hardcore athletes. They have a construction comprising of no less than 10 layers which protect the quartz movement on the inside. 

G-Shock is the perfect choice for a reliable timepiece that will survive an apocalypse. There are a lot out there, what with there being 35 years of development undergone. This list will give you 10 of the best.

Background

The concept for the G-Shock came about in 1981 when a Casio engineer accidentally dropped a precious pocket watch that his dad had given to him. From here, a team was assembled to develop a watch that would withstand everyday impact and more. The engineer was delighted when he learned that the centre of a rubber band ball doesn’t suffer from the shock of the whole ball being bounced. This is what sparked the inspiration for the G-Shock. 

Water-resistance was also important to this team, as well as protection from falls and all within a watch that would offer exceptional battery life to boot.

So in 1983, the world saw the release of the G-Shock DW50000C. The TV station who were testing it did so live. They bashed it with a hockey stick and it survived. The world was amazed.

So, let’s take a look at the top 10 G-Shock watches.

GBD800UC5

$105.00

This belongs in the power trainer collection and enables the obliteration of fitness goals. The 800UUC5 offers an accelerometer with 3 axes that will record your steps as well as twenty combinations of timer and the memory to keep hold of 200 laps. It’ll also tell you how many calories you’ve burned during your training, too.

There’s an app you can download to keep hold of your data.

GA700SK-1A

$120.00

The GA700SK1A has a clear skeleton feature which shows you everything that’s going on under the hood. Made from a semi-transparent resin material with metallic colouring, the watch is inspired by a retro 80s style. 

It has a 200m water-resistance rating, which is great if you find yourself in an outdoor adventure. 

It also has an LED illuminator light which offers great readability after sunset.

GWM5610-1

$86.90 

This solar-powered offering comes with the shock-resistance you’d expect and a backlight, stopwatch, 5 alarms, an automatic calendar, power-saving and battery indicator. It has an automatic light that can be switched on or off with the flick of a wrist. Although, this won’t work if the battery is low.

It offers 200m water-resistance so feel free to jump in for a swim, but no diving.

GA2100-1A1

$315.41

This particular model is an import from Japan. It makes the most of G-Shock’s sleek design and has a carbon case of only 12mm and this makes it one of the slimmest models to date. This watch has an incredibly strong resin construct and offers both digital and analogue timekeeping. 

It’s shock-resistant, of course, and offers a double LED light. It’s 200m water-resistant and will stay faithfully working under the roughest conditions.

G-CARBON GA2000 (E)

$281.52

This collection offers carbon-fiber reinforced resin in a double-backed case. The GA2000E will last through all kinds of impact and spills without worry.

It’s 200m water-resistant like its siblings, offers 31 time zones, features that double LED lighting, shock-resistance and an accurate stopwatch. 

It has high-contrast hands and sub-dials for easy reading on the go.

GBA800EL-4A

$156.99

You can’t help but notice this is really unique watch. Boxing gear titan Everlast got involved here to bring something bold to the party.

The one linked is obviously pink, but you can find a boxing-glove red in the collection too. It has a 3 axis accelerometer, which is perfect for keeping tarck of your steps. It has a stopwatch and will record up to 200 lap times. Perfect for runners and anyone into HIIT.

MUDMASTER GGB100-1A3

$239.50 

This watch is part of the Master of G-Series range called Mudmaster. It’s build to last. Built to stay with you. It’s made from rigid carbon material developed to withstand harsh conditions. It protects the watch from damage and offers tight seals inside to keep the elements at bay.

The bezel has three layers of extremely high-quality resin and carbon fiber elements.

It is mud and shock-resistant as well as offering a quad sensor and that familiar dual LED lighting which is perfect for varying terrain.

GMWB50001JF

$359.50

You’ll notice straight away this has the classic Casio look with a bit of a rugged twist.

This metal watch has all the original Casio design with a vintage square case. It offers the dual LED light, powered by a solar battery.

This watch has atomic timekeeping, meaning it’ll always be precise no matter where you are because it listens to radio signals from 6 locations around the world. 

It has to be said that the whole GMWB50001JF range is the better-looking out of all of G-Shocks collections.

Summary

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed your whistle-stop tour of the G-Shock range. In answer to the original question, are they as good as we think, the answer is a clear, yes. Casio are one of the best watchmakers in the world and have been for decades. They’re price-accessible and you’ll get a watch that will stay strong and accurate even if you give it a regular bashing.

If you go for a Casio G-Shock, you’ll get brains, brawn and beauty all in one.

If you’re considering investing because you’re a regular outdoor person who loves muddy adventures, you’d benefit from reading 5 Features to Look for in a Rugged Watch.

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Last Updated on March 19, 2020