A Complete Guide to Help You Choose The Best G Shock in 2023
Casio has been known as one of the most trusted brands when it comes to wristwatches. However, even though they have been around for over 70 years, there are still many people who do not know about G-Shocks and what makes them so special! So, let us tell you what you should know about these watches.
We mentioned Casio Watches in our article about Best Hunting Watches, but we thought this OG of rugged watches need a special article only dedicated to them. So here it is.
Casio G-Shock watches are known for their durable construction and many superior features. Apart from their world-class durability, their versatility and trendy looks make them popular not just among military personnel, hunters, and survivalists but also among younger generations and even fashionistas.
G-Shock watches are built to withstand the toughest conditions and are designed to be used in high-risk environments and combat zones. Military-grade G-Shock watches come with superior design, and they can withstand extreme temperatures, pressures, and impacts without breaking a sweat.
G-Shock watches can take more wear and tear than probably any other piece of timekeeping instrument in the world, however, when it comes to selecting one of them it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. G-Shocks have a plethora of series each having multiple models adding up to your confusion. This guide will help you understand all the Casio G-Shock series better and if you are looking for a military watch for your needs you will get our top selection to choose from.
What is a Military G Shock Watch and why is it so popular?
Military watches are designed to withstand the most rigorous conditions. They are meant to be used in combat, but they can also be used in other situations where you need a watch that is tough and durable.
G-Shock stands for Gravitational Shocks, G-Shock is a brand of watches manufactured by Casio Computer Co., Ltd. It comes with a rugged appearance, has a tough case made of resin, or metal, and also has an anti-magnetic case that prevents electromagnetic interference from affecting timekeeping. It will withstand everything you throw at it.
The G-Shock military watch is a popular choice among military personnel because it has all the features that they need. It is water resistant up to 200 meters and it can survive falls from up to 10 meters high. Its cost-effectiveness and also trendy design make it popular among the general public also, making it one of Casio’s most popular brands.
A military-grade G Shock watch will have a lot of features including atomic timekeeping, stopwatch, countdown timer, alarm clock, world time zone display, backlight illumination for low light visibility, full auto calendar, and 12 or 24-hour time display.
So, even if you're caught in an earthquake or other disaster, your G-Shock will still keep ticking away on the wrist of a lucky survivor!
How Tough Are G-Shocks, and How Are They Tested?
G-Shock watches are tested for durability and shock resistance in the company testing labs. The test is called the G-Shock Impact Resistance Test and it involves dropping a watch face-down onto concrete from a height of 1 meter (3 feet) onto three different surfaces: hard plastic, soft rubber, and leather. If the watch survives this test with no visible damage to its face or case back, it's considered water resistant up to 100 meters (300 feet).
G-Shock watches are also tested for temperature resistance—how well they can withstand extreme conditions ranging between -25°C (-13°F) to +60°C (+140°F). The most common temperature range is between -10°C (-12°F) and +40°C (+104°F).
Then, there's solar radiation resistance testing to determine how long the watch could hold up if it was exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time.
Apart from these standard procedures, Casio is so confident in their G-Shock series that they conduct public demonstrations of their watch's strengths with ridiculous tests like driving a car or even a road roller over it, freezing it into an ice block, hitting it with a sled hammer, fixing the watch on a BMX biker's tire, etc. But in every test, G-shock came out with flying colors.
How to Choose the Best Military Grade Watch for You?
A military-grade watch has been designed to meet specific standards, such as being water-resistant, durable, and accurate. These watches are typically used by military personnel and law enforcement officers. These watches typically have the following features:
Water-resistant (ability to withstand exposure underwater for up to 30 minutes)
Durable (the watch will withstand high-pressure impact or even a sled hammer blow!)
Accurate (hands can be moved within an accuracy of +/-15 seconds per day over its lifetime without affecting the watch's accuracy)
Shock resistant (surrounding material is strong enough to withstand impact from any direction)
Pressure resistant (gauge works under high and low pressures)
Shockproof (protected by surrounding material, such as titanium or sapphire crystal that will protect from any sort of impact)
History of G Shock Watch: The One That Started it All
The first G-Shock watch was not an official product, but rather a private venture by Japanese industrial designer Kikuo Ibe. When Ibe broke the watch that his father gave to him, he wanted to build a watch with 'Triple 10' resistance, that has a battery life of 10 years, resists 10 bar pressure, and withstands a 10-meter drop.
He originally intended to create a watch for golfers—he was so passionate about the sport that he’d found it difficult to find other ways to keep track of his score during matches. As such, he designed this watch with durability in mind and made sure that it would be able to withstand extreme conditions.
Sales of G Shock were sluggish initially. Casio tried to popularize it by showing the above ad in the USA. However, nobody believed them and Casio was accused of false advertising. But a few months later a TV channel recreated the advertisement and the G Shock survived. This gave immediate popularity to the G Shocks and they never looked back ever since.
The DW5000C was released in 1996 as part of Casio's line of outdoor sports watches—and since then, they've become some of the most popular timepieces on earth.
Most Popular G Shocks From Every Era of Recent History
The G-Shock is a watch that has been designed to withstand the hardships of military service, and it has been in production since 1983.
The first model was called DW-5000C, and it was released in 1984. The DW-5000C had an LCD display with a backlight and a stopwatch function, which were both fairly new features at that time. This model also included a countdown timer, world time, and an alarm.
In 1987 the DW 5600C was born. In I989 AW 500, the first analog G-shock was made. The first analog-digital hybrid model appeared in 1989.
In 1992, DW-6100 was born with a thermal sensor which was the first sensor-equipped watch.
In 1993 the first true diver’s watch, the Frogman DW-6300, with 20-atmosphere water resistance, was released. The first titanium model, the Frogman DW-8200 came along in 1995.
In 2000 the GW-100, the first radio-controlled G-Shock, appeared, able to receive calibration signals from one of six worldwide locations for more accurate timekeeping.
In 2011 GD-200 model came with glass fiber inserted bands. In 2012 GB6900 was made, the first G shock with Bluetooth and smartphone connection capabilities. In 2014 GPW 1000 Gravitymaster was born, the first watch with in-built GPS Hybrid Wave Ceptor technology. This year also saw the birth of GWN 1000B Gulfmaster which had both triple sensor version 3 along with smart access.
In 2016, the first watch with a built-in depth gauge, the GWF-D1000 Frogman was made.
In 2017, the G shock GPW2000 Gravitymaster was made, the world's first watch with three time-correction systems. In 2018 GPR B1000 Rangeman was made, the world's first watch with solar-assisted GPS navigation. In 2020 GBD H1000 G Sport series was born equipped with a heart rate monitor and GPS.
G Shock In Pop Culture
The first G-Shock was released in 1983, but it wasn't until the early 1990s that they became popular with civilians as well. The first series of G-Shocks were affordable and came in a variety of colors and had a unique design that made them stand out from other watches on the market.
The G-Shock series has been featured in many movies such as "The Matrix", where it is worn by Neo during his fight with Agent Smith.
In "Resident Evil 2", it is worn by the character Leon S. Kennedy as he makes his way through Raccoon City, and in "The Dark Knight" where it was worn by Batman.
The G-Shock series has been featured in many video games such as Injustice: Gods Among Us, where it is worn by various characters such as Harley Quinn, The Joker, and Batman.
G-Shock is commonly worn by extreme sports enthusiasts, such as BMX riders and skateboarders who need a rugged timepiece that can withstand the rigors of their activity.
Modern G Shock Watches
G Shock watches are the perfect accessory for people of all ages. They have been around since the 1980s and have seen many changes in the way they look and function. They have a vast range of watches starting from fifty dollars and going all the way up to watches worth more than several thousand dollars.
Some models are analog, while others are analog-digital hybrids that combine both digital and analog timekeeping, while others are strictly digital. G Shock watches come in various shapes, sizes, and colors to suit everyone's needs.
The G Shock watch is a must-have for anyone who wants to keep up with modern trends in fashion or technology. Let us take a look at all three types of G Shocks.
Analog G-Shocks
These don't have any digital displays, instead, have a dial with hands. The movements are smooth and quartz driven making it reliable and elegant at the same time. This series of watches have the same level of durability that the G- Shock is famous for and Casio loves to give some of their most premium models an all-analog display. The most famous analog G-Shocks are :
Casio G-Shock MR-G Collection
This is their most premium series. They are handcrafted in Japan with meticulous attention to detail. You can spend luxury watch money on a G-Shock by aiming for the MR-G line. These high-end watches can give any other premium watch models a run for their money in terms of design and artisanal craftwork.
They have top-shelf features and their top-notch prices reflect this as well. These watches are completely made in Japan and feature stable solar power sources, time-zone tracking, and atomic clock referencing, with standard analog subdials.
Casio G-Shock MT-G Collection
These are sophisticated and advanced and priced below the luxurious Mr-G series. They feature a dual-core metal guard structure with or without integrated carbon fiber technology for added durability. These watches feature Smartphone Connectivity via Bluetooth, atomic timekeeping, automatic time setting, dual time zones, world time, and more.
Casio G-Shock Frogman Collection
These series are for the more budget-conscious buyer, who wants the same durability and precision of G shock analog watches without spending a fortune. These watches are somewhat targeted toward divers and swimmers. The Frogman series have even superior water resistance and unique features like tide information, and dive time measurement in an easy-to-view analog format, along with other standard G shock features like dual time, atomic timekeeping, etc. They also feature solar charging.
Analog-Digital Hybrid G-Shocks
The traditional analog-digital hybrid G-Shock watch that first came into life in 1989 is a perfect example of how technology has been integrated into the traditional watch design. The analog hands are still there, but they are now accompanied by a digital display.
The analog display is used to show the time and date, while the digital display shows all the other information such as the temperature and moon phase. It also has an alarm function that can be set to go off at a certain time. It has the following series :
Casio G-Shock GM-2100 series
The GM-2100 series G-SHOCK is a modern update to the concept and design of the first-ever G-SHOCK (DW5000) and the brand’s first analog model (AW500). The GA2100 offers the same reliable G-Shock features in a slim, compact octagonal design made from metal.
Casio G-Shock GA-2100 Series
The Casio G-Shock GA-2100 is a watch that has been designed to be tough and durable like all the other G shock watches. It features a minimal octagonal design, thin bezels, an irregular-shaped LCD with dual LED backlight and an upgraded carbon core structure, and some other bells and whistles without making it very expensive. This caused this series to be one of their fastest-selling series when it was first launched.
Casio G-Shock GA-110 Series
Inspired by Steampunk's retro-futuristic vision, the concept of GA 110 was born in 2010 and delivered an overwhelming sense of presence and detail that won over young people worldwide in the blink of an eye. With its intricately complex-looking design and bright colorful finish, it sold more than any other G shock series.
Casio G-Shock GM-110 Series
This model is an evolved GA110 watch launched in 2020, a decade after its parent. This has a metal-covered structure which gives it ‘absolute toughness’ as described by the makers. This series has everything the GA110 offers and comes with a glass fiber-reinforced case for added strength and a mirror finish for a stunning look.
Casio G-Shock Master of G Series
In terms of durability and toughness, these watches are the most advanced and can perform equally well in every possible extreme situation, making this the favorite series among military and police personnel, hunters, and adventure sports enthusiasts.
Apart from all the standard G-Shock features like atomic timekeeping, multiple time zones, calendars, and alarms, these watches feature a bulletproof construction to withstand the changing gravitational force that these watches will be subjected to.
They also come with Altimeter, barometer, depth gauge, thermometer, tide graph, smart connectivity features, digital compasses, and others depending on their sub collection you choose. They boast of an auto double led light feature that makes them easier to see in the dark.
Casio G-shock Gulfmaster
The Casio G-shock Gulfmaster is the ultimate watch for those who work in marine-related fields. It has a digital display alongside its main hands for the time and subdials for other information like tide and more. It also has a hand shift feature which enables you to shift the hour hands temporarily to get a clearer digital display. The Gulfmaster is made to withstand the harshest conditions, so you can be sure it will last through your toughest jobs.
Casio G-Shock Gravity Master
The G-Shock Gravity Master is a watch that's been designed for pilots. It's tough, it looks good, and it's accurate. It has a tough construction, killer high-tech looks, and unmatched accuracy across all the world’s time zones. It also has a premium B1000 series & a budget B200 series.
Casio G-Shock Mud Master
These watches are designed to perform in any land mission no matter how harsh the conditions are. These are among the toughest watches on the planet and have unparalleled dust and mud resistance and come with advanced technologies like solar-powered radio control, altimeter, barometer, and digital compass.
Casio G-Shock Power Trainer Ana-Digi GBA800
Based on the digital Power Trainer lineup, these have everything you need to track all your workouts. With their bright and colorful design, you can wear them around all day long instead of using them as a dedicated sports watch and keep track of not only your elaborate workout programs but also a series of steps and all your movement throughout the day.
Apart from standard features, their connectivity features are great and they use a dedicated phone app for fitness tracking.
Casio G-Shock GA2000 Series
These are the precursor of an impressive lineup of analog-digital watches. They feature a carbon fiber reinforced dual fiber case for added strength and the large front button, and a 3D sculpted disc dial gives it a badass look.
Casio G-Shock GA700 Series
The Casio G-Shock GA700Series is a watch evolved from the GA400 series, which was already an extremely durable and tough model. GA700 improved it further without increasing the price heavily.
Casio G-Shock GA-400
Apart from the stand Gshock features, this series features a unique rotary dial for quickly changing the settings that you need. These are some of the largest Casio G shocks, but more than a watch, it boldly declares itself to be a fashion statement.
Casio G-Shock GA100 Series
These models exhibit a retro-futuristic design while being street-ready style, as well. These models don't have smart features, but they will have the same G-Shock reliability on a budget.
Casio G-Shock GAS-100
The Casio G-Shock GAS-100 is a solar-powered watch with a subtle, understated design. It's the perfect watch for those who want to look good without drawing too much attention. They also feature a battery level indicator and all other G-shock features on a budget.
Casio G Shock AWG-M100
Another budget series of G-Shocks, but don't let its price or retro looks fool you. It features all the features that made the G-Shocks famous and some of their advanced technologies include atomic timekeeping and referencing for time zone alignment, daily alarms, and auto signal reception for time calibration up to 6 times a day.
Casio G-Shock G-Steel Series
The Casio G-Shock G-Steel is the perfect watch for the modern man. It's tough, stylish, and has all the features you need to keep track of your day. It features stainless steel or high carbon steel case and bezels, while some of these come in an all-metal design to give them a more traditional look.
With a carbon bezel, stainless steel case, and tough solar tech, this watch will last you for years to come. You will also get their tough solar technology and the ability to set time via a mobile link
Digital G-Shocks
This is the original tough, iconic watch that was designed to withstand the extremes of any environment. But now, the digital series of G-Shock watches collection includes everything Casio offers starting from small watches with old-school designs to technological marvels of the largest proportions.
You don't have to know a compass from a sextant or even which end of the Earth is up to get lost in time and space. Casio's new collection of G-Shocks offers 21st-century insight into your journey.
Casio G-Shock 5600 Series
This is the OG of G shocks and you will get the same renowned toughness of a G-shock on a budget packaging, that comes in multiple colors and backlight options. Look for options with high-contrasting display colors for easy readability and if possible pay a bit more for the models with solar charging options.
Casio G-Shock 5900 Series
Casio’s experiment with the popular 5600 series resulted in the addition of 3 sub-dial layouts to an already popular watch model. It has classic styling and a plain band along with other G-shock features. Though this model is visually striking to some extent, this is not among their highest-selling digital watches.
Casio G-Shock Full Metal
Casio continued to improve and tweak the styles of their popular 5600 series and came up with this, an all-metal design digital G-Shock, and the result? An instant worldwide hit. It comes in traditional silver, gold, and black versions along with some cyberpunk-colored models and a killer titanium version!
It can have a metal bracelet design or come with silicon or resin straps. It also has modern features like Bluetooth connectivity and solar charging apart from the standard features.
Casio G-Shock GW6900 Series
This series combines the best of the 5600 series and 5900 series into a round dial making it one of the most recognizable G-Shocks. This tough timepiece is a very popular choice for soldiers, police personnel, firefighters, and other professionals around the world. These watches have been around for a long time and come in multiple color options along with all the basic G-Shock features.
Casio G-Shock G-Lide Surf Watch
This series is also based upon the 5600 digital series and with added water resistance and a high-quality tide graph display specifically aimed at the surfers' community. They also boast bright illumination, steel bezels, and smartphone connectivity.
Casio G-Shock Power Trainer Series
This series features watches that can perform everything that their digital-analog hybrid cousin can do. So it can track all your movements, and all your workouts efficiently and store them and help you understand your progress with the help of the connected app. Like its hybrid brother, it also features round dials, lap timers, countdown timers, step trackers, and much more.
Casio G-Shock 400 Series
This range of Digital G-Shocks comes with 2 metal bar protectors that make them popular among young people, especially skateboarders or other street sports enthusiasts.
These also feature the same classic design the G-Shock is known for with an added protector for the areas where the band joins the watch, to increase its shock resistance. The vibrant LED lighting makes it easy to read in the dark. It also features lap timers, countdown timers, and stopwatches.
Casio G-Shock 7900 Series
Take all the best features of the Glide series, put them into a round dial, highlight the already pronounced bezel bolts, and bump it up in the badass meter you will have your very own 7900 Series of G-Shocks! They do everything of the Glide series but in a more refined way and display moon tracking as well.
Casio G-Shock Master of G Series
Just like we mentioned in the hybrid series, some of the watches in the Master of G series belong to the digital G-shock category. There are 3 sub-classification of this series :
Casio G-Shock Frogman Digital
This is the original version of the Frogman series we already mentioned above. Targeted toward divers, Frogman combines outstanding water resistance with solar capabilities. It features improved signaling receptors for auto calibrations of time. It shows a highly accurate tide graph and Moon Data. It also boasts a highly water-resistant Diamond-Like Carbon(DLC) finish, so that you don’t have to worry about your watch when you are diving at great depths.
Casio G-Shock Mudman Digital
These watches are almost similar to the Mudmaster Series but you will find them in completely digital avatars as well. Though their durability is not up to the mark of the Mudmaster series, these are more than capable of performing most of your missions. These are built to be handled in a rough way.
Casio G-Shock Rangeman Digital
This is another series of digital watches in the Master of G collection and it is made for the ultimate survivors. These are ABC watches and also feature Tough Solar power capabilities. Its altimeter function not only shows data but can also store up to 40 detailed readings and its barometer feature will also indicate pressure differential graphs and alarm for significant changes.
Casio G-Shock Mr-G Series
This series showcases the epitome of true digital luxury. Just like their analog counterparts, they are also handcrafted to perfection. Their design is based on the original iconic G-Shock timepiece. But, this watch is quite hard to get right now and is not available everywhere.
The modern twists add a lot of features with a serious eye for detail to improve it aesthetically, and all this will cost you a premium price.
Casio G-Shock Move Series
These are the latest developments in the G-Shock series. These are sporty watches targeted towards athletes to track not only all their movements and workouts but also have optical sensors to track and measure heartbeat rate. This is their first smart G Shock featuring the Google Wear OS.
They also have an altimeter, barometer, and digital compass. They also have great smartphone connectivity and you can use it with GPS to measure distance, speed, and pace. They also have a cleverly curved design that fits well on your wrist and is comfortable to wear for hours.
So Is G Shock Worth It?
A Casio G Shock might lack several features if you are in search of a dress watch, but if durability is something that you value in your watch, then a Casio G Shock is undeniably the best watch for you. It is worth every penny if you are looking long-lasting watch. They also come in a variety of colors and styles, so you can find one that fits your personality.
Finally, What Are The Best G Shock Watches For You
This guide has taken you through all the different G-Shock models and explored all the features they have to offer. We hope that if you’re still on the fence about buying one, this article has helped clear up any confusions you may have had about them.
The best G Shock Watches for you will always depend on the purpose you want to use them for. However, if just want the toughest watch out there and don't care about any specific use case, then you can just look at our short list below.
For your reference, the best G Shock watch for even the toughest of missions are :
Our Best Overall Pick - G-Shock GWR-B1000
Our Best Overall Runner-Up - CASIO GWG-2000-1A1JF
Best Large Dial G-Shock - Casio GRB200-1A9
Best Value For Money - G-Shock GGB100-1B
Best Budget - Casio Men's G-Shock GW6900-1 Tough Solar
Best For Divers - CASIO G-Shock FROGMAN GWF-A1000
You can just click the 'Check Price On Amazon' buttons and add your favorite ones to your cart.
Thanks for reading our blog. We are sure, that whichever model you buy, you will be impressed by its toughness and overall craftsmanship.
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