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Smartwatches for the Space Age

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

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G Shock

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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Let’s Talk About Atomic Watches

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Atomic watches

You’ve heard the term ‘atomic watches’, but do you know what it actually means?

An atomic watch is the most accurate watch you can get.

Atomic watches get calibrated using an atomic clock. They maintain this calibration via radio signals received from this clock. So you know exactly what the time is with precision originating from NASA. Literally. NASA uses an atomic clock on their countdowns.

It would take a very long time to discuss the science of an atomic clock. The process is intensely complicated. In as basic an explanation as possible, an atomic clock judges the length of a second by tracking the number of oscillations a caesium-133 atom makes. The number of spins that happen in one solitary second is just over 9 BILLION.

Understanding how this intricate mechanism works would require a PhD in physics, which isn’t why we’re here. Hopefully, you’ll trust what you’ve learned and we can move on…

Are atomic watches truly the most accurate?

If you have a watch that isn’t atomic, the simple answer is that you don’t own the most accurate time-keeper available. Yes, it might be made with the most incredible craftsmanship possible, but there will be a few fractions of a second worth of drifting. 

All watches experience this drift. It’s a shift away from its reference clock and therefore synching is less accurate. If you compared that watch to the atomic watch some time after you’d purchased it, you’d realise the difference. 

An atomic watch will drift too, but we’re talking a maximum of one second in a 100 million years. So you probably won’t notice.

So, to answer the question, yes, there are no more accurate watches than atomic watches.

How does an atomic watch work?

As THE atomic clock won’t fit on your wrist, you have to wear a device that talks to it via receiving signals. If you’re in the US, this will be the atomic clock that lives in Fort Collins. 

American atomic timepieces are developed in such a way to search for the radio signal from Fort Collins. They do this every day.

It will receive the signal and then decode it. Constant contact isn’t needed 24/7 but it does need regular contact to avoid this drift.

Will an atomic clock always be accurate?

An atomic watch is undeniably a feat of engineering and technology. They are not perfect, though. To work as intended, as mentioned, it needs to have a connection to the atomic clock. Two things could disrupt this.

The first factor is distance. If a watch moves away from the range of the atomic clock, simply, the connection will be lost.

Most American watches won’t synch with any other atomic clock around the world. Typically they’re limited within their region.

Secondly, it’s open to disruption to the signal. Radio signals penetrate pretty much any surface but there are things that can block them.

Some metals, like those used in building construction, block the signal. Similarly, signals from other electronic devices can get in the way. 

The level of disturbance an atomic watch will experience is really very minimal. With your human eye, you’re not likely to even notice.

Newer atomic watches have technology built in that is so advanced it can block the disruptions. GPS has been added so the watch is able to pick up the signal from satellites or from other geographically located atomic clocks.

Are atomic watches accessible to everyone?

Some atomic timepieces have insane price tags. Some, though, are affordable. Some you can use everyday wear. 

Casio, known best for their brand, G-Shock, make a range of atomic watches that run on solar power.

The G-Rescue is only $93.07. It offers 200m water-resistance and features a stopwatch, alarms, a countdown timer and world timezones. For sub-$100 this watch packs a huge punch.

The Citizen JY8035-04E ($332.99) is another excellent offer. If you’re not familiar with the Eco-Drive range from Citizen, you’re in luck because we’ve written a review that you can check out here.

If you’ve got a better budget to play with than $100, this watch offers some exceptional quality like mineral crystal with anti-glare and high-quality Japanese quartz on the inside.

Features-wise it offers a countdown timer up to 99 minutes. It knows the time in 43 different world cities. It has both digital and analogue display.

If you’re not looking to even spend $100, that’s fine. The Casio AQS800WD-1EV for men is under $50.

This knows the time in 48 world cities and 31 timezones. It will allow you to set up to 5 alarms and has a countdown timer. It offers 100m water-resistance too. This really is a sensational price considering everything you get here.

Should I buy an atomic watch?

Atomic watches offer us an insight into the level of intelligence the human species has. Without atomic clocks, everything could crash, Y2K-style.

But does this mean you need to wear an atomic watch on your wrist?

Most modern technology runs on atomic time. If you’re in need of precision, then yes, absolutely. But is your personal life reliant on that level of accuracy? Unlikely. It’s cool though, isn’t it?

Whether you should buy one or not is subjective. If you like them, then go for it. It’s a matter of your own style.

If you enjoyed reading this article, you’ll love our article on the kinds of watches favoured by the military.

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Baby G vs Casio G-Shock Watch – Which is best?

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Background

Baby G vs Casio G-Shock….

One of the engineers, Mr Ibe, over at Casio set himself a goal to create a shock and water-resistant watch. He worked on it and made many, many samples. Eventually, this led us to the G-Shock.

G-Shock features

It wasn’t long before G-Shock became the most famous brand for rugged and durable watches. They have exceptional levels of resistance to water, shock, vibration, low temperatures, impact and even vibration and gravity. 

The movements and components inside the watches are specially protected by advanced technology and materials.

Designs

Another factor that keeps G-Shock popular is the range of designs they come in. You can get square, round or hexagon-shaped. You can choose from analogue, digital or both. Either way, the style remains fresh.

G-Shock timepieces were initially designed for the military and extreme outdoor adventurers. They walk the walk.

Pricing

Maybe you think a G-Shock will be expensive, given their functions and features? You’d be wrong. G-Shock is like the jackpot of watches. They offer basic models of their classic watches for under $50. 

The higher-end models have solar power and Bluetooth options, but, they aim to make their watches worth every penny.

Casio managed to get durability, toughness and affordable tech rolled into their watches.

What about the Baby-G?

The Baby-G is the women’s version of a G-Shock. They resemble one another a fair bit. The first version came out in the 90s as a sign of boldness.

It has the same functionality as a G-Shock in terms of its resistance. It also has alarms, a countdown timer, a stopwatch and an hourly chime.

Baby-Gs are equally known for being hard-wearing and hold onto their value.

Let’s have a look at the main differences between the G-Shock and Baby-G watches.

Size

The most obvious difference is size. The G-Shock is aimed at men and the Baby-G is made for women with smaller wrists. 

The straps differ in size, as do the face sizes. The G-Shock tends to have a thicker case.

There are unisex versions, for anyone feeling like these labels might be a little sexist.

Colour

G-Shock watches come in a variety of colours but you’ll most often find black, white, silver, blue, white, grey and maybe red. You can find the rest of the rainbow, though.

Baby-G watches tend to offer more colour variation so if you want something vibrant, you’ll likely be able to find just what you’re after.

Water-resistance

Water-resistance is pretty standard when it comes to today’s G-Shocks and the rating tends to be 200m. 

Baby-G, however, only offers 100m as standard. So don’t make any plans to go diving in your Baby-G. Stick to a swim.

What’s similar?

They’re both rugged and reliable. They also share a few features:

  • Both have the e-backlight that improves visibility in low lighting
  • They both offer temperature-resistance for minus weathers
  • They both have great battery life. This varies, but Casio watches were built to last for years
  • As such, they both have an automatic calendar
  • They both have a stopwatch

Let’s look at one each:

Baby-G BA-110-7A1CR

$81.50

This is an analogue Baby-G. It’s one of the best-selling of the whole range. It makes a bold first impression in white with rose gold accents and skeletal dial. 

This model isn’t just good-looking, it offers durability too. It has water-resistance to 100m and shock-resistance. 

It’s a versatile watch packed full of functions which make it perfect for travelling. It knows the time in 29 places including 48 major cities. It has an accurate stopwatch to one-one hundredth of a second, a countdown timer, both 12 and 24 hour time formats and an automatic calendar until 2099. You might also make good use of the alarms. There’s an LED backlight so you can read it in low light. 

The watch itself comes with a resin band which is adjustable. Although it’s been noted that Baby-G watches are made for women and are therefore smaller than the G-Shock, that’s not to say they’re small generally. The case is a whopping 43mm.

Advantages:
  • The white colouring is incredibly striking
  • Decent water-resistance
  • Comes out the box ready to use
  • Accurate timekeeping
Disadvantages:
  • Backlight could stand to be brighter
  • Band needs breaking in before it’s comfortable

G-Shock GA-110-1b

$113.00

This watch is another statement piece. Contrasting its white sibling, this matte black finish is equally striking with golden accents. 

Again, it’s shock and water-resistant, but you can get 200m out of this one. 

It also offers magnetic-resistance which makes it a little more durable and robust. 

The list of functions reads the same as the above, except it knows one more time zone and has a speed indicator. The LED backlight has an afterglow, too.

It also has a resin band and this is really resistant to excessive wearing. It holds fast, even when you get sweaty. 

It’s huge at 55mm by 16.9mm

Advantages:

  • Excellent resistance to all manner of extremes
  • Rugged enough for the military 
  • Sporty design
  • Dependable timekeeping

Disadvantages:

  • It’s very big
  • Light could be a little brighter

How do they compare?

Both the G-Shock and Baby-G have similar features:

  • They have a very bold design
  • They’re water and shock-resistant 
  • They’re incredibly accurate
  • Easy to set up
  • Comfortable on the wrist (eventually)
  • Great value for the cost

The major differences are:

  • The G-Shock has better water-resistance
  • The G-Shock has magnetic-resistance
  • The Baby-G works better with various outfits and occasions
  • The G-Shock performs better outdoors
  • The G-Shock is considerably bigger

Summary

The reality is, you don’t have to choose between the two. All it depends on is what your requirements are and go for the one that suits those the best!If you’re interested in learning more about rugged watches, you should read our article on what to look for in a good one here.

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Casio G-Shock Tough Solar Review

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Casio G Shock

G-Shock has an undeniably unpretentious attitude. Casio is known for its relentlessness and accuracy. Together, they’re unstoppable. 

Sports watches have long been walking the wire. They have to be extremely precise. Pffer stopwatch, a timer and, of course, the exact time. 

They should also have a plethora of features that mean the watch itself can withstand the elements. If they’re truly a sports watch, they should be resistant to shock, water pressure, dust and extreme temperatures.

A lot of the cheaper brands offer something that promises all that, but they don’t deliver. Luckily, we’re looking at a Casio here. You just know this sports watch will offer you a reliable companion.

All for under $100. In fact, in some corners of the internet, you can get it for sub $50.

Features

This tough men’s solar timepiece holds no bars when it comes to bang for your buck. This is especially true considering it’s also a solar-powered watch. 

This device has been specifically developed to appeal to outdoorsy people, those who go on big adventures and those who travel a lot. As it gets its energy from the sun, you can rely on the fact that it’ll always offer you the time, accurately.

Obviously, it’ll tell you the time in your current country, but it has the ability to track what the time is in a total of 48 cities all over the world.

It also offers different languages, which is pretty cool.

It’ll let you set 5 alarms and has two timers. 

There’s a digital calendar screen that sits at the 6 position. 

Depending on your preference, there’s both 12 and 24 hour time formats.

All in all, this G-shock watch does a fantastic job of blending a well-loved design with much-needed functionality. So not only does it walk the wire, it’s so well built, it cartwheels from one side to the other. 

Special Features

The Tough Solar tells you the time, day and date, in whichever location you are. All of this is in digital format. 

What it also encompasses is a fantastic chronograph. It doesn’t have Roman or Arabic numerals so there’s no fuss involved with checking the time, you’ll just know it instantly. Perfect if you need to keep concentrating on what you’re doing. Having digital options removes the possibility of a misread of the date or time.

Design

The resin case is characteristically thickset at 46mm by 13mm. It comes together with a matching black strap. 

The face is actually simple when you look at it. But that doesn’t mean the functions are. The dial is black and features highly-visible white hour markings with matching white hands. The contrast is perfect for easy readability when you’re on the go and don’t have time to stop and stare at your wrist. It’s not something you’ll want to wear to the office, it’ll stick out like a sore thumb, but you can keep it on for more casual times at home or down the pub.

The face comes with an LED backlight which is also solar-powered, naturally. 

The buttons on the side of the case offer a number of actions. One lights up the face. Another button will change your watch mode. One serves to make adjustments to suit what you need from it. A final button offers a searching ability.

It’s water-resistant to 100m. Not great for diving, but secure enough to have a muddy session in the rain and not have to worry about breaking it.

All in all, it’s a very lightweight watch that packs a punch. 

The best bit is that you won’t ever have to charge it!

Movement

If you’re sceptical about why Casio is offering this well-designed and highly-functional G-Shock watch at such a bargain price, the secret comes from the movement. Inside it’s powered by Japanese quartz movement. This means the price is able to drop significantly. This is a touchy subject for some. Japanese quartz movements, around the 70s, used to be considered sub-standard. Huge improvements have been made and now the performance is totally accurate and reliable. 

Summary 

The price of this timepiece doesn’t do it any justice. For what you get in terms of both design, features and functionality, you get a whole lot of watch.

It’s so cost-effective you might think Casio made a huge mistake and never picked up on it. 

It looks awesome, works tirelessly and has pinpoint accuracy. It’s powered by the sun so you never have to worry about recharging it.

Casio has long stood for quality and value and this is a shining example of sticking to that promise.

If you love the Casio G-Shock collection, check out our review of the smartwatch here.

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Casio G-Shock Smartwatch

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Person stretching their leg by grabbing their toes

G-Shock is a well-known watch brand from Casio. Soon there’ll be a smart version in the collection. Will it be on your shopping list?

G-Shock Journey

The current G-Shock series includes many models that certainly look great and have capabilities that work alongside your phone. You can keep in touch with what is happening without needing to check your device every two minutes.

The evolution of G-Shock has been an interesting one. The only similarities to the original models are that the watches are tough, have various functions, and are innovative.

Furthermore, the tough exterior is not just for show. Extreme sports, falls, fitness and fashion, the watch can handle it all. It is advertised as unbreakable. With the ability to withstand any weather and high water pressure.

The tagline of the watch is ‘worn by men who are not willing to accept limits’. And these watches are created to be functional and fun.

G Shock

G-Shock Capabilities

  • Exact Time is easy with the G-Shock. It uses GPS and radio technology to ensure that the time is correct in every corner of the world. If the radio signal fails then the watch will update itself with the local time based upon the GPS.
  • Water Resistant to 200M means that you can go diving without needing to take off your timepiece. You can engage diving mode to make the most of your plunge!
  • Alarms to keep your priorities in check. You can set them daily, monthly, for a day and time and also on a specific date. You will be kept up to date on time as the watch will beep each hour.
  • Shock Resistant so that you don’t need to worry if you fall or find yourself on an adventure that tests you in every sense of the word. The G-Shock will be there through it all.
  • Bluetooth allows you to connect your watch directly to your phone. You can control the time, music and your notifications. You can download the G-Shock app so that you can keep tabs on your watch settings direct from your phone.
  • Music plays seamlessly when you use your G-Shock as the remote control for your phone’s music library. The watch will let you play, pause, skip and stop tracks. It will even tell you which track is playing by displaying the name on the watch face.
  • Battery Life has always been a Casio strongpoint and the G-Shock is no exception. Two years of battery life is the minimum you can expect from your smart G-Shock and Casio has stated that this impressive figure will be improved upon in newer models.
  • Phone Finder connectivity can be a lifesaver, especially when you are in a rush. With the G-Shock, you press a button on the watch and listen out for the corresponding sound that your phone makes. When you have found it, press the button again and it will stop – simple!
  • Illuminator ability allows you to adjust the brightness manually or automatically so you are never left struggling to see what is happening on your wrist.
Casio G-Shock Models

The Best G-Shock Models

We think the top three are:

  • The GB-6900B that gives you access to all the great features of a G-Shock. Additional features include incoming mail alert, vibration function, and a low battery warning.
  • The GMW-B5000D-1ER which has all the functions, and comes in a stunning metal case. It also has the Super Illuminator feature.
  • The G-Shock Rangeman is one of the toughest in the family of watches. It has solar-assisted charging so that you it will keep working even when you’re off-grid.

The Future of G-Shock

Although as yet there’s little information about it, we know that Casio intends on introducing a full smartwatch capable G-Shock in 2020. The brand has already tried limited smart features on the G-Shock range and has other smartwatches already on the market so we’re not surprised that this new watch is coming soon.

We’re keen to see how Casio manages to blend the features of a smartwatch into something as tough as a G-Shock and we are pretty sure it will be popular.

Our Recommendation

With the market saturated with so many watches that have different capabilities, is the G-Shock range worth purchasing?

We think so, especially if you want to combine an active life with your watch. Furthermore, it’ great to know that no matter what you are exposed to, your watch will survive and keep telling you the time accurately. So if you want a watch that has a great battery life, fantastic design, and many clever features, the G-Shock could be the watch for you.

However, if you’d prefer a durable, full smartwatch that does everything you need then you may be better off waiting around until 2020 when the G-Shock smartwatch hits the market. We can’t wait!

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