This year Casio took the PRW-5000 we reviewed last year and gave it a makeover: PVD case, blue highlights and an almost stealth look. Let’s start with the specs for the new version, model number PRW-5000Y-10R:
Altimeter/barometer, compass and thermometer
Tough solar power, 5 month power reserve
Tough movement with automatic hand position correction
Water resistant to 100m (330ft)
Six-band atomic (radio) receiver, rated for +- 15 seconds per month if no signal
Altimeter: -2,300ft to 32,800ft (-700m/10,000m) A good watch for Everest, perhaps!
Temperature sensor: 14F to 140F (-10 to 60C).
Mineral crystal
Black ion-plated stainless steel case, buckle and bezel
Rubber strap with color-matched logo on keeper
Small inset multifunction LCD for numbers, graphs and indicators
World time, 29 time zones plus UTC
1-hour stopwatch, 1/100th resolution
1-hour countdown timer
Five daily alarms
Digital compass, 20 seconds of readings at a time, 1 degree resolution
Big, bold and analog: this is the GW-3000, from the G-Shock Aviation line. Today we review the GW-3000B, the version with an orange dial and metal bracelet. Let’s get started with the basic features and measurements:
Available in blue or orange with a PVD case, and orange/white with a unplated steel case.
Tough solar power, 5 month power reserve
6-band atomic timekeeping, accurate to within 15 seconds per month if no signal.
Tough movement (this means the hands check and realign themselves if knocked out of place)
The new Casio G-Shock GXW-56 — and its American counterpart, the GX-56 — are proof that huge is the new big. With a case 55.5mm wide at its widest point, and 17.5mm high, the GXW-56 is the biggest G-Shock ever made. (Yes, they are even larger than the venerable Frogman.)
(Before going any further, I want to point out the differences between the GXW and the GX. The GXW is the Japanese version and has multi-band atomic timekeeping. The GX is the American version which is less expensive, and has all the features of the GXW except atomic time calibration. This review focuses specifically on a GXW-56-1BJF which I imported from Japan in order to get atomic time calibration, but most of what I cover here pertains to the GX, as well.)
The thinking behind the GXW-56 (and the GX-56) is that, in the overall scheme of things, typical G-Shocks simply aren’t all that big anymore. Yes, they are certainly bigger than your average timepiece, but if you look at the watches that are really driving the trends right now, G-Shocks don’t completely dominate in terms of size. So in order to maintain their status as trend-setters (and make no mistake — G-Shocks are as much about fashion as they are toughness; if you don’t believe me, read my coverage of Shock the World), it was time for G-Shocks to take the next step.
Fortunately, Casio decided to do something constructive with all that extra space in the case: they filled it with aGEL which they describe like this:
aGEL® is a soft silicone gel material with outstanding shock-absorbing characteristics.
So what is this mysterious new aGEL material? aGEL, or Alpha GEL, is the brand name for the soft silicone gel material which was first made famous by Asics Gel running shoes, and it helps to make the GXW-56 even more shock and vibration resistant than your standard G-Shock.
But the GXW-56 isn’t all about size. It also has the functionality and features that we’ve come to expect from G-Shocks. Here’s an exhaustive list:
Casio G-Shocks play many roles: fashion icons, hardcore tool watches, respectable divers, etc. Today, we look at something of a new phase for the G-Shock line in the form of a “multi role fighter.” The Casio G-Shock GW-2000 sports aviation styling while retaining the GMT features of many of its older siblings. The GW-2000 combines the radio controlled technology which Casio is now famous for with a refreshed style more reminiscent of the MR-G series.
Let's take a look at the details:
Mineral glass crystal.
47mm at the widest point (wears more like 43mm).
15m thick.
Radio controlled atomic calibrated module.
Solar powered.
Stopwatch with a resolution of 1/20th of a second.
If there's any one company that continues to innovate, it has to be Casio. Their newest Pathfinder/Protrek, the PRW-5000, takes their kitchen-sink feature list and completely rethinks to design with an emphasis on analog hands.
Let's start with the features:
Solar powered.
Atomic timekeeping, six bands: US, UK, Germany, China, Japan (2x).
Altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer.
Wold time, stopwatch, countdown timer, five alarms.
Low temperature resistant down to -10C.
Water resistant to 100m (330ft).
Mineral crystal, fixed stainless steel bezel.
Casio movement 5114 (PDF), with self-correcting hands.
49mm across, 14.6mm thick, 85g on the 22mm resin strap.
As big Pathfinder fans here at WatchReport, we're happy to report that the new PAW-5000-1 will ship this April for $450. Departing somewhat from the dominant style of "mostly digital face", the new model sports a reduced-size digital screen and more dive-watch-style face. Somehow, it works for us. Casio PR has promised to try and get us a review unit, so keep an eye out for a full review. Here's a list of specifications to pique your interest in the meantime:
New tough movement, as seen in the GS-1200 and the MTG-1500, where it can check and correct the position of the hands. A very cool piece of engineering.
The second hand doubles as a compass needle. Clever, huh?
The watch hasn't been officially announced in the USA yet, but keep an eye on Casio's website for the announcement.
A review today of a women's watch from Casio's Baby-G series that does it all. The LWA-M140-7ACF is quite the powerhouse, packed into a casually-styled look that belies its inner geek:
Today's review is Casio's latest in their Frogman line of G-Shock dive watches. These are the first in that line to have atomic timekeeping and solar power. Let's take a look and see what you get for a list price of $725!
Specifications:
Water resistant to 200m (660ft).
Dedicated dive timer with surface interval measurement and logbook.
Tide graph and moon phase (based on UTC offset and lunitidal interval).
DLC-coated stainless steel case, integral rubber strap with double-tang buckle.
World time in 48 cities (31 time zones).
Automatic and manual EL backlight.
Six-band radio reception (Japan, US, China, UK, Germany).
Machined aluminum bezel with stainless steel screws on the face.
24 hour countdown timer.
Five alarms.
26 month power reserve with H/M/L display of charge.
The choice for an "always right" (solar-powered, atomic time synchronized) dress watch has, up to now, been somewhat limited. Apart from the Japan-only Seiko Brightz, the only watches in this space have been from Casio (and their Oceanus brand). The Casio watches that fit the technical specs (e.g. G-Shock GW-2500BD) can't really be classed as dress watches, and the Oceanus watches (like the OCW-S1000 "Manta") are expensive and have limited availability (indeed, Casio in the UK has abandoned the Oceanus brand). But now Citizen has entered the stage with the Chrono-Time AT — the first watch using the new Citizen H610 caliber.
There are four models to choose from, one of which is the limited edition Rose Gold model reviewed here (the UK version is reviewed; some details may vary by region). The basic specifications are:
Solar power with 240-day power reserve.
Atomic time synchronization across four regions (US, Europe, China, Japan).
Sapphire glass.
Rose Gold plated with leather strap and two-part folding clasp.
Hour, minute, second hands.
Chronograph minute and second hands.
Second time zone (24 hour subdial).
Date and time zone indicator.
Alarm.
Perpetual calendar.
Circular slide rule in the bezel.
Weight: 97g (including strap).
Diameter: 36mm (51mm top to bottom including lugs).
Thickness: 13mm.
Water resistant to 200m (~650 feet).
5 year warranty.
On the wrist, the rose gold is subtle and the whole watch looks sophisticated without too much bling (although it might appear otherwise from the official photographs – another reason why on-the-wrist is not the same as on-the-screen). I should point out that my wrists are quite small, so the watch looks bigger than it really is (it's only slightly larger that my Breitling Aerospace).
After our news item about the GW-2500 generated a lot of email, we contacted Casio PR and got one to review. This review is of the GW-2500BD-1A version, which is the black-plated metal with a bracelet. There are also versions with non-plated case and a rubber strap. Due to the use of Flash, I can't link to the product page, but you can find them all on the G-Shock site under 'Classic.' The GW-2500 is the flagship of the aviation-inspired watches introduced at Basel 2009:
Highly legible dial and enlarged, high-contrast hands with numeric six and twelve on the dial for fast orientation.
Six-band radio receiver ('atomic' timekeeping) paired with solar power for zero-maintentance timekeeping.
Three reverse-LCD displays for complex functions such as alarms, countdown timers, multiple timezones, stopwatch, day, date and seconds.
Automatic orange LED illumination at six o'clock on the dial, triggered by proper wrist movement in the dark for hands-free light.
Ion-plated stainless steel case and bracelet.
Hardened mineral crystal.
As with all G-Shocks, it's waterproof to 200m (660ft) and designed to survive just about anything.
Read on the for the full review and more pictures!
This year Casio took the PRW-5000 we reviewed last year and gave it a makeover: PVD case, blue highlights and an almost stealth look. Let’s start with the specs for the new version, model number PRW-5000Y-10R:
