I like analog-digital watches, and Casio makes some of the best. Today we review the GW-3500B-1A, a new entrant from their Aviation series of G-Shocks. Designed for flying and high acceleration, this reverse-LCD model is on the high end of the line:
Case is 49.1mm by 16.4mm, 75g, rubber and plastic with stainless steel caseback.
Domed mineral crystal
Radio set, six bands ‘atomic timekeeping’, rated to 15 seconds per month in the absence of signal
Tough solar power and tough movement, where the hands sense and correct their positions as required. Six month power reserve.
World time, with 48 cities in 29 timezones
Water resistant to 200m (660ft)
Four daily alarms and a fifth with snooze function
1/100th of a second stopwatch, up to 24 hours
1 hour countdown timer
Lumed hands, indices and bezel section plus auto-activating LED backlight.
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)
This year at CES, Casio brought along a promising prototype watch. Featuring Casio’s BLE (bluetooth low energy) technology this watch will be able to have bluetooth functionality without the dismal battery life we have seen in models from Sony Ericsson and LG. The watch is powered on a single watch-style coin battery and would connect to a smartphone allowing a host of features and 2-way communication. Expect call and email alerts, phone locating ability, global time sync, and expanded functionality from application support based within the phone’s OS.
While the watch shown here is still a prototype, its exciting to think of a Casio MR-G or Oceanus with these features. Presumably, your phone would need to be BLE compliant, which might require a new phone all together. This is massively exciting technology as the premise is taken directly out of science fiction and it could facilitate an entirely new feature set into a controller we are all very familiar with.
As a side note, we would like to congratulate Casio for winning the CES 2011 Design and Engineering Award for the recently upgraded Pathfinder PAW5000. Please check out our review of the PAW5000.
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:
I just got back from Casio's 2010 Shock the World press event in New York, and I have plenty to show. We all had a blast checking out some new G-Shock models, meeting folks from Casio (and Casio's PR team), rubbing elbows with celebrities, and hanging out at what turned out to be a pretty wild concert.
Here are the highlights:
A quick walkthrough of the floor before the press conference.
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 you like your watches big, bold, and durable, then the new GA100 line of G-Shocks will make your day. Available in white, yellow, and black, you get the "basic" G-Shock feature set in a new, larger case for a list price of only $99:
Water resistant to 200m (660ft).
Resin case, mineral crystal.
Anti-magnetic case structure.
Servo controlled hour and minute hands with 4-LCD digital displays.
1/1000th of a second stopwatch with unique "Speed" dial (tachometer).
48 city world time, stopwatch, countdown timer, five alarms.
Casio module 5081 (PDF) with a 2 year battery life.
LED dial illumination, automatic or manual with adjustable time duration.
51mm across by 17mm thick, 65g, 22mm strap. (A bit larger than most G-Shocks, but quite light in weight.)
Please read on for the rest of the review and pictures.
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.
One thing you can always count on is for Casio to introduce new and interesting features and products in the G-Shock line. Today let's look at the G-Rescue G7900A-7, introduced in May of 2009:
Inspired by search and rescue teams (thus the name).
Bigger buttons for gloved use — largest ever on a g-shock.
Back case shock absorbers (pictured below).
Low temperature rated display (-4°F/-20°C).
And of course the long list of normal g-shock features:
I like analog-digital watches, and Casio makes some of the best. Today we review the GW-3500B-1A, a new entrant from their Aviation series of G-Shocks. Designed for flying and high acceleration, this reverse-LCD model is on the high end of the line:
