Tags: Selection of the best | Casio | Classic
22.7.2022 | 8 MIN
G-Shocks by Japanese Casio don't need any introduction. These durable, but also stylish, watches have been around for about forty years, and the more models are released, the more popular the watches are. For today, we've prepared six most interesting – in our opinion – pieces that are currently available.
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Immediate success. That could be the brief description of the Casio G-Shock GA-2100. What proves its popularity is the fact that it is the most sold G-Shock model in Europe; Casio had even problems with satisfying the worldwide demand for this watch in the past and had to increase its production capacity.
If you're thinking that this success is linked to some new mindblowing features, you're wrong. The GA-2100 is popular mainly because its retro design, which was inspired by the shape of the first ever G-Shock watch, the digital DW-5000, but it has a twist: it is a analogue-digital watch now.
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However, many fans of the brand see a whole another watch in this model – more specifically the legendary Royal Oak model by the renowned Audemars Piguet brand. This got the watch its nickname "CasiOak".
The GA-2100 is also popular thanks to the practical measurements 48.5 x 45.4 x 11.8 mm (1.9" x 1.79" x 0.46") making the watch the thinnest G-Shock with a low weight of 51 grams. It is also one of the first G-Shocks with the Carbon Core Guard construction, as well as the Quick Release change system.
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When it comes to the equipment, it is shock resistant, water resistant up to 200M, it has a stopwatch and countdown, world time, 5 alarms, automatic calendar, and also display and dial backlight with the "After Glow" feature.
Another great point of the watch is the luminescence of the hands, as well as a delightful starting price point of around 125 EUR. Thanks to the popularity, Casio did not hesitate to produce many colourful varieties for anyone's liking. I will finish this by saying that this bestseller is also sold in a metal version GM-2100, and in a smaller version mainly for ladies GMA-S2100.
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Mudmasters are a must on this list of G-Shocks. Mudmasters are models designed so that they withstand the hardest of conditions. It is no surprise, then, that we usually see them on wrists of armed forces and that they are regulars on lists of the best watches for the apocalypse.
Besides resistance against any possible shock, and water resistance of 200M, which can be found in every G-Shock, the Mudmasters are also resistant against dust and mud thanks to a special construction of triple gasket lining of button shafts, which successfully blocks any dirt entering the interior of a watch.
The Mudmasters also offer amazing practical features, which you will appreciate on your next tough adventure. From the "Masters of Mud", I chose the Casio G-Shock GG-B100 from 2019. It is the first of Mudmasters to ever use the new "Carbon Core Guard", the carbon being even on the bezel of this lad.
The GG-B100 is also the first Mudmaster with the Quad Sensor, where thermometer, compass, barometer, and altimeter met with the popular pedometer.
The letter B in the name of the watch means that this model is capable of communication with a smartphone through an application. Although the model doesn't do notifications, you can set the accurate time, log in your location in nature, find your lost phone, and access many more watch settings.
There is also timer, countdown, alarms, along with all the features we are used to seeing in G-Shocks. I have to emphasise that for this model, you can set the menu of the watch according to your likings and set the light to be where you can easily reach. The watch is made to be worn on a "manly" wrist; this fun watch is not fun-sized, and the measurements only prove this, 55.4 x 51.3 x 19.3 mm (2.18" x 2.02" x 0.76"). However, since carbon is present in the construction, it weighs only 92 grams.
Since the price is around 400 EUR, this Mudmaster does not have the option of solar charging, but when used reasonably, the battery should last solid 2 years.
Retro is still in, so we simply can't omit having a digital watch in here. And if we're talking retro digital watch, it has to be square, of course. In the current G-Shock offer, we can find more models, which were inspired by the design of the first DW-5000, and every one has something unique. After some thinking, though, I chose the Casio G-Shock GW-B5600 for a few reasons.
Not only does the design of the model refer directly to the legendary first model, but it has also the best price/performance ratio in G-Shocks. For a watch with the starting price point of 160 EUR, it has a lot to offer.
Shock resistance and water resistance similar to those of dive watches are wrapped up in a retro design and bundled up with excellent equipment. There's the G-Shock classic of stopwatch, countdown, automatic date, paired with 5 alarms (1 repeated), 5 world times, the option to set European date format, and the names of days in 6 languages.
When using the stopwatch, countdown, or alarm, you can still see the time, which is very useful. The GW-B5600 is also solar charged, so you don't need to worry about changing the battery, and it also uses radio synchronisation of time.
In the settings, you can choose the option that lights up the watch when you lift your arm up, which can be also set to two, or four seconds.
This model can be linked to a smartphone. Using the G-Shock Connected app, you can see the current battery percentage, set the time when you're outside optimal radio-signal range; this app will basically make setting up your watch easier. Besides all this, you can also record your location on a map and set up to 5 events in the calendar. The watch will use a red diode to remind you, and you will see the text of the event in the square for date.
The GW-B5600 is nicely compact and fits even smaller wrists with its measurements of 48.9 x 42.8 x 13.4 mm (1.93" x 1.67" x 0.53"), and I have to bring your attention to the strap made from resin of plant origin (in some variants) instead of the synthetic resin. It is the most comfortable and it is one of the reasons I love the GW-B5600.
Even though this model is square, that is it for resemblance with its ancestors. This is the new generation of G-Shocks, and the label of retro has no place in here. The Casio G-Shock GBD-200 is intended mainly for sporty people who expect a bit more modern technology than the mere basics.
For its owner with a smartphone, this watch can give them a detailed workout plan, overview of their performance, advanced stopwatch that can log up to a hundred laps, distance measurement, and so on. It even has the option of intelligent accelerometer, which the GBD-200 uses not only for counting steps, but also to show your current speed. Why intelligent? Because with the help of the GPS from your phone, it can give you more precise data.
The well-readable LCD display with the MIP technology can be adjusted according to your preferences, and the GBD-200 will even show you notifications when paired with a phone! However, even with all this, this watch cannot be labelled as a smartwatch, only as the smartest G-Shock.
That's because there is no heart rate sensor or other smart watch features. On the other hand, the watch doesn't need any helping hand, besides yours of course, in the form of a charger, and even though it is not powered by solar energy, the built-in battery will last up to 2 years of use. The soft strap made from urethan, measurements of 49.4 x 45.9 x 15 mm (1.94" x 1.8" x 0.59"), and the weight of just 58 grams make the watch comfortable to wear.
What is also nice is the light button, reasonable price slightly above 145 EUR, and, for the record, you can sometimes see the watch on the wrist of the UFC Champion Ciryl Gane, who fell in love with the watch.
Ciryl Gane is a lover of G-Shocks. Besides the GBD-200, he also wears the GX-56, GBD-H1000, DW-5600 či DW-6900.
The Casio G-Shock GA-100 was already born 12 years ago, and since then, it has been one of the most popular of G-Shocks. Historically, it is the second most world-widely sold piece of these durable watch, so it is no wonder that its time is not up yet.
It is one of the first oversized models, which made G-Shock popular. The watch is 55 x 51.2 x 16.9 mm (2.17" x 2.02" x 0.67") big, but its size is not the only reason for its success. It is also thanks to the price tag around 100 EUR, the dynamic and evergreen design of the dial, which is dominated by the symmetrically separated displays.
This design was made by the chief designer of G-Shocks, Ryusuke Moriai, himself. He also created the equally popular GA-100 and GA-120. When we look at the features, besides the usual stopwatch, countdown, alarm, and automatic calendar, it also offers tachymeter and increased magnetism resistance.
But there are also some downsides. The hands are not luminescent, and the backlight is only for the dial, not the displays. However, since this model is mainly about the design, I think we can let it slide. If you're looking for an unconventional and timeless design, definitely look into the GA-100.
And we saved the gourmet experience for the last. The purely analogue (for now) Casio G-Shock MTG-B2000 of the premium MT-G line will charm you by the characteristic design, quality of production, and materials. It is made in Yamagata, and prides itself on the exclusivity of its "made in Japan" label.
What new does this watch bring to the table? The MT-G family, which has heightened resistance against shocks and centrifugal force, welcomed the 2000's with its new construction of the carbon monocoque guarding the movement of the watch. The monocoque is hidden inside the metal body where the multidimensional bezel is attached using screws.
Thanks to this solution, the watch is noticeably lighter than its ancestor (which weighed 156 grams with a bracelet and 127 grams with a strap), and it is also a bit smaller since it measures 55.1 x 51 x 15.9 mm (2.17" x 2" x 0.63"). It is also the first MT-G model with three separate dual coil motors, making the hands move independently on each other.
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Unlike the vast majority of G-Shocks with the usual mineral glass, the MTG-B2000 has sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating, ensuring perfect readability at all times. The hands are also painted with luminescent Neobrite, and a good backlight is a must.
Looking at the features, we have the usual stopwatch, countdown, alarm, automatic calendar, or a second (world) time. This premium model wouldn't be complete without solar charging, synchronisation using radio signal (Multiband 6), and a new feature is the option of connecting it with a smartphone. Of course, since it is a premium watch, it also has a premium price, starting at 950 EUR.
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