Casio

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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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)

Casio G-Shock Bluetooth GBA400-1AER UnBoxing

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G-Shock GBA400-1AER Bluetooth Watch UnBoxing Review

With Smart Watches taking over the world, is there a place for a non smart watch?

Absolutely!  Of course there is, many people have no interest in a Smart Watch, many people would rather speed £500 on a wrist watch over a smart watch.  Others need the functions of a standard watch more than a Smart Watch.  Me, for example I wear G-Shocks, for their rugged strength, and I like how they look.  I can wear it to work and not even slightly worry about it, same goes for being out on the bike, no weather will phase it, nor me, and if pulling a long a long weekend, or a full day I don’t need to worry about my watch’s battery.  I don’t need to worry about damaging it, because let’s be honest if the watch breaks, there’s a good chance my arm is broken with it!

However when browsing I noticed the G-Shock ‘Smart’ Watch at a bargain price of £90 GBP, when the RRP is £180, that was easily enough to tempt me, so it was ordered and arrived the next day.

Basically it is a G-Shock with everything you expect in the rugged strength and chunky looks, with the added bonus of Bluetooth 4.0.  There is an app for iOS (and Android) which pairs to the watch, which when you activate and from there the app can control the time settings and the music on your smart device, whether that be song selection or volume.

So its smart settings are basic, time setting and music control. that’s all there will ever be, but that’s fine, not too many people will need or want more from a G-Shock, but it is a nice feature set, it adds to the G-Shock experience, and at a reasonable price it is a bargain.

The battery is touted as lasting for 2 years when using the Bluetooth Features for 2 hours a day, obviously the more or less you use the more or less the battery will be affected.  Also it doesn’t remain parked indefinitely.  In an attempt to preserve battery the BT connection will disconnect after 2 hours of non use.  Some people like this, others hate it, for me I am reasonably indifferent, pairing the watch and a phone back up is very easy and quick, so it doesn’t bother me at all.

All I would say in summary is that this is a G-Shock with a Smart features, it isn’t a smart watch.  Don’t expect text, email notifications, for some reason Casio have dropped this feature which they do have on other watches, this is a watch to control your music, if that is something you would benefit from then this is definitely the G-Shock for you.  If not the RRP of £180 opens up a massive range of other G-Shock watches for you so have a good browse around.  Oh and at £90 this is an absolute bargain!

G-Shock GBA400-1AER Bluetooth 4.0 UnBoxing Gallery :

Read moreCasio G-Shock Bluetooth GBA400-1AER UnBoxing

G-Shock GA-1000-FC-1AER : Unboxing

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G-Shock Aviator GA1000-FC-1AER Unboxing

My latest G-Shock to the collection is the G-Shock ‘Premium’ GA-1000-FC-1AER from the Aviator Series.

With its titanium strap and bezel, and functions consisting of but not limited to a compass, thermometer and altimeter and couple these features with its tough as hell yet smart as hell look this watch definitely deserves its ‘Premium’ label.

This is a big beast of a watch and in the gallery below you will see a couple of photos directly comparing it in size to that of the GA-100 Series, a series which is known for its bulk, if you don’t like a big watch you’d best look elsewhere. Other than that she is a weighty beast too, but it feels right, strong, and pretty damn tough!

A picture paints a thousand words, or so they say, so here is a 20,000 word review on why this watch is the dogs danglies!

Read moreG-Shock GA-1000-FC-1AER : Unboxing

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

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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)

G-Shock G-001-HC ‘Jason’ Unboxing

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G-Shock Jason

G-001 JASON:

Taken from the G-Shock Facebook Info Page :

These new models revive the legendary DW-001 model design that first appeared in 1994 and quickly became a hit with young people who like their fashion with a bit of an edge. They take the distinctive round shape of the DW-001 and dress it up with a variety of exciting colours.  The metal mesh insert band not only allows for the passage of air while the watch is being worn, it also creates a fashionable look.

There isn’t a lot more to say on this one, other than it is total Marmite, you either love it or hate it, so far I’d say about 50% of my friends like it, the other 50 % deeply hate it.  I though love it!

Read moreG-Shock G-001-HC ‘Jason’ Unboxing