G-Shock

Casio G-Shock Gorillaz Collaboration : Released November / December 2018 :

Casio G-Shock X Gorillaz
Casio G-Shock X Gorillaz

2018 marks the 35th anniversary of Casio G-Shock and one of the final releases of a year full to bursting of collaborations – is the G-Shock Gorillaz Collab.

Consisting of 4 watches, (one of each member of the virtual group) we are brought 3 DW5600 variants and one GX56 ‘KING’.  This Collab was highly advertised on social media for many months prior to its release and the result was a set of watches in huge demand that was highly limited in numbers.

The official press releases consistently refer to only ‘1000 pieces’ but there is some confusion as to whether this is 1000 pieces of each watch, or 250 of each giving a total number of pieces to 1000.  I remember the Casio website referenceing 250 of each variant, but the pages have since been removed in relation to the individual models.

I have reached out to Casio for clarification but as yet their Support people have not answered my rather simple question…

With so much publicity and so few pieces the result was, basically chaos.

The Casio website was brought to its knees almost instantly.  The lucky few got their orders placed and confirmed – the release was done in two parts 15/11/2018 for the Murdoc and 2-D variants and 15/12/2018 for the Noodle and Russel Hobbs and preorders were initially available on 15/11/2018 for phase 2.

Casio G-Shock X Gorillaz
Casio G-Shock X Gorillaz

Then Armageddon – the website collapsed and no more orders / preorders were accepted.  Casio promised an online option for phase 2, this never materialised and the only option for the Noodle and Russel Hobbs variants in the UK were in store in London.  Only London.

I was one of the lucky few managing to secure both releases online, and both have now been delivered.

Forgetting about the absolute carnage that was the release, everything else is positive.  The quality is good, the printing on the bands seems long lasting and hard wearing.  The rear plates of the watch are beautifully engraved with the silhouettes of the band members and the watch faces themselves are discreet enough without being understanded and not gaudy enough to be ‘in your face.’  A genuinely good design that when initially revealed seemed a bit ‘meh’ – like ‘is that it?  Surely you could have done more?’  The designs work well and do need to be seen in the flesh to be truly appreciated.

Overall – a really nice collaboration, that was so well marketed it is easily one of the most sought after collections I have seen in a number of years.  It did break the Casio website after all!  IF you are lucky enough to have the set – well done you, if not act fast as I reckon it will only get more desirable!

Read moreCasio G-Shock Gorillaz Collaboration : Released November / December 2018 :

Casio G-Shock Mudmaster : GWG-100-1AER : Unboxing & Review

G-Shock Mudmaster : GWG-100-1AER :

The Casio G-Shock Mudmaster Range is probably one of the most popular series of the G-Shock range at the moment.

There are three distinct variants of this ‘Master of G’ Series ;

  1.  Mudmaster GWG-1000
  2.  Mudmaster GG-1000
  3. Mudmaster GWG-100

The Mudmaster GWG-1000 :

Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-1000
Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-1000

The Mudmaster GG-1000 :Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GG-1000

The Mudmaster GWG-100 :

Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-100
Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-100

So what’s the difference?  And what one is for you?

Read moreCasio G-Shock Mudmaster : GWG-100-1AER : Unboxing & Review

Casio G-Shock GBD-800 Unboxing

Following on from the analog G-Shock GBA-800 Casio have released a digital variant, the GBD-800, of their fitness tracking, step counting, bluetooth tough watch.

Press Release : 

The following press release is taken from GShock.com :

Casio G-Shock GBD-800 US Colour Way Options
Casio G-Shock GBD-800 US Colour Way Options

DOVER, NEW JERSEY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 – Today, Casio G-SHOCK unveils the latest additions to the Men’s Power Trainer Series with the release of the GBD800. Available in two color ways of black with red accents (GBD800-1) and black with neon green accents (GBD800-8), the models are compatible with the G-SHOCK Connected app and include new technical features such as a re-designed full digital display and phone finder function through Bluetooth Mobile Link.

The models come on the heels of the analog-digital GBA800, which was released earlier this year in partnership with U.S. Olympian and G-SHOCK brand ambassador Louie Vito. Geared towards athletes and active individuals, the GBD800 features a step tracker function that breaks down daily steps taken in five metabolic equivalent levels (MET) – all of which are displayed in a graph via the G-SHOCK Connected app.

The watch also boasts a work-out timer with up to five intervals and an updated digital display of three different rows to easily track fitness progress. Toggling between modes, the top display showcases a step graph and lap number, while the mid display showcases time and the bottom display showcases the total number of laps and steps.

Other key features include a built-in stopwatch with 200-record memory, an auto super illuminator LED light, target alarm and auto time update capabilities.
Each model also comes equipped with standard G-SHOCK technology such as:

    • 200M water resistance and shock resistance
    • 5 daily alarms
    • 1/100th stopwatch and countdown timer
    • Dual Time
    • Round timer

 

    • The GBD800-1 and GBD800-8 will retail at $99 and will be available for purchase beginning in October 2018 at G-SHOCK retailers including Macy’s, the G-SHOCK Soho Store, and

gshock.com

Europeans are even more lucky – the basics of the press release remains the same but we get much broader colour ways with some pretty awesome options in there over the US’ black and green and black and red.

Casio G-Shock GBD-800 European Colour Way Options
Casio G-Shock GBD-800 European Colour Way Options

Read moreCasio G-Shock GBD-800 Unboxing

Casio G-Shock DW-5600 New Era X Limited Edition (2018) Unboxing

Casio G-Shock DW-5600 New Era X Limited Edition
Casio G-Shock DW-5600 New Era X Limited Edition

If you follow G-Shock and their limited editions you will be aware then that 2018 brings us another New Era Collaboration.

It’s not the first time G-Shock and New Era have teamed up and its not the first time that the watch’s storage container is a cap – which is just simply an awesome touch!

Past G-Shock / New Era Collaborations : 

Read moreCasio G-Shock DW-5600 New Era X Limited Edition (2018) Unboxing

Casio G-Shock GBA-800 Unboxing and Review (GBA-800-9AER)

Casio G-Shock GBA-800 Unboxing and Initial Review (GBA-800-9AER)

At CES 2018, Casio introduced two new G-Shock watches to its ever growing collection of tough timepieces. Known as the GBA-800 and GPR-B1000, both devices connect to the G-Shock Connected app to help track different metrics and information.

The relevant watch to this review is from G-Shock’s new G-Squad series, the GBA-800 — a hybrid fitness watch that you can adds a little bit of fitness tech to G-Shock’s already iconic style.  It comes in six different colour models – and of course the poster child for the series is the almost day-glo yellow (or is it green) model.

Using a built-in accelerometer the watch measures your daily steps along with your walking or running pace, the amount of steps you’ve taken will be displayed on the watch, both as a figure and a graphic.

So to wet your appetite here are a few of the promo shots released for the watch…

G-Shock GBA-800-9AER
G-Shock GBA-800-9AER
G-Shock GBA-800-9AER
G-Shock GBA-800-9AER

Read moreCasio G-Shock GBA-800 Unboxing and Review (GBA-800-9AER)

Unboxing : Casio G-Shock GX56-4ER – The King G (Orange)

GX56-4ER

In the G-Shock Watch World this huge G-Shock is affectionately known as the ‘King-G.’ And that it a title it rightly deserves.

At the time of writing this is currently the largest offering in the G-Shock range with dimensions of approximately 55.5mm x 53.6mm x 17.5mm (H x W x D).

This watch is truly a monster, and also my second GX-56 in my collection.

The first one I acquired being a GX56-1AER, which is identical expect in the colour scheme, namely black.

This version, the GX56-4ER is much more ‘in your face’ sporting a vibrant orange colour scheme that simply can not be hidden.
If you don’t like people checking out your watch from distances up to 200m maybe you’d be better opting for the black version!

The watch itself has all the features you’d expect now from G-Shock, 200m water resitance, shock resistance, date, time, alarm, stop watch, world times… and the list goes on. The is also an atomic edition of the watch so time zones and BST settings will never be an issue again.

Prices vary wildly for this watch so if you want one keep an eye out, I picked mine up brand new for £81.00 and have seen them listed for up to £200 for the non atomic variant!

Read moreUnboxing : Casio G-Shock GX56-4ER – The King G (Orange)