The Perfect Modern Every Day Tool Watch
Welcome back to another of our buyer’s guides. Today, we’ll be looking at one of the most iconic and recognizable brands of on-trend yet functional and tough-as-nails digital watches. I am of course, talking about G-Shock. With millions of G-Shock watches having been made over the past 35 years, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there’re plenty of G-Shocks in the market today. Variety isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but too much of a good thing might often actually just be bad. And with hundreds of different models available, it can be hard to distinguish the one that’s right for you.
There’s no getting around it; the G-Shock collection is vast, intricate and possibly even overwhelming. With enough made to satisfy even the most ravenous of watch collectors, also creates various pieces that caters to professionals who need something tough, reliable and functional, from military personnel to law enforcement, athletes in training, adventurers and even skaters, surfers and break-dancers. With prices for their professional highly functional pieces ranging in the thousands and some of their entry level functional yet fashion-forward pieces in the low hundreds, there’s a G-Shock for almost anyone in the market for one.
From a camouflage-clad soldier in the field with nothing but his equipment to rely on, to a 15-year-old anime junkie in the Tokyo suburbs, there’s an equal appeal in these watches to all sorts of people. Whether it’s the borderline-indestructible nature of the timepiece, its functionalities, or simply its loud and sometimes bonkers design, there’s always something that makes these watches just so irresistible to some of us.
Today, we’ll be taking an in-depth look and breaking down the G-Shock collection to make shopping for your next G-Shock less intimidating than it actually is. We’ll be differentiating them by their designs mainly, and some of their more specialist-oriented line-ups like their Master series. As pretty much every G-Shock comes with a stopwatch, timer, 200m of water resistance and a backlight, this guide will simply be a way to guide you to your favourite model, or at least narrow down a few of your favourites.
DW—5600 Series
CASIO G-SHOCK DIGITAL DW-5600MB-1DR MEN'S WATCH
A great testament to how great a watch’s design is comes from how it continues to look good, no matter what colour way its in, even after decades. Whether you’re rocking the vibes of the 80s in Rasta or denim, or the 90s with teal and purple, or even a modern military style urban camo, there’s certainly a watch for you in this line-up. The one we picked today is one that we think should be a staple in every collection, a simple all black digital watch that’ll just go with everything effortlessly.
DW-6900 Series
CASIO G-SHOCK SPECIAL COLOUR DW-6900SK-1DR MEN'S WATCH
From one classical design to another, it appears the 90s-era design of G-Shock still looks as good as ever today. Now there’re a slew of these 6900 inspired models, though some of them tend to be one-and-done ranges so they come and go like the wind. But this one in its silvery transparent case and dial is the one that really melds past and present design trends seamlessly. There are also metal variations available in black/red, silver and gold and those are some of the prettiest 6900 series watches around today too.
GA-2110 Series
CASIO G-SHOCK SPECIAL COLOUR GA-2110SU-3ADR MEN’S WATCH
From a classic design to something more modern, well sort of. The GA-2110 line, fondly known as the Casioak (A not so subtle abbreviation of its design resembling the ever-iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.) These watches have been selling like hot cakes since their release and we personally think that this one in a cool military green against a black bezel and dial gives the otherwise fashionable timepiece a bit more of a cool, tactical edge.
GA-700 Series
CASIO G-SHOCK DIGITAL QUARTZ GREY CAMO RESIN GA-700CM-8ADR MEN'S WATCH
If you’re one of those field operators in camouflage that we mentioned, then this is certainly the watch for you (or maybe the one in green camo would be more appropriate). The GA-700CM-8ADR is a properly good-looking watch, with the classic G-Shock resin case construction with the nicely tactile oversized buttons, simple analog/digital dial design paired with the urban digital grey camo. It’s an affordable and stylish take on what a modern G-Shock can and should be.
GA-2000 Series
CASIO G-SHOCK GA-2000S-1ADR MEN'S WATCH
From a modern design to something a bit more futuristic, the GA-2000 line-up is a much more tame yet distinct design in the G-Shock line-up. And coming in at a much more wearable 48.3mm in diameter, it’s a welcome update on a downsized but equally tough and functional G-Shock. With a rounded case matched with textured oversized buttons, a relatively minimal and uncluttered dial paired with that cool spinning ‘wheel’ mode indicator, it’s a pretty badass looking watch that anyone can wear and pull off effortlessly.
GA-110 Series
CASIO G-SHOCK DIGITAL QUARTZ BLACK RESIN GA-110GB-1ADR MEN'S WATCH
We can’t have a list that claims to look at the best G-Shock watches you can buy without looking at the iconic GA-110 series. It’s probably the most recognizable and distinct G-Shock watch in the market now, and it’s the silhouette that immediately comes to mind when someone mentions G-Shock. And this one, in the ever classic and fashionable black and gold colourway, is an icon on its own. A street style classic, the GA-110GB-1ADR, like the rest of its brethren, is a timeless icon that certainly deserves a place in everyone’s wardrobe.
GG-1000 Mudmaster
G-SHOCK MUDMASTER DIGITAL QUARTZ BLACK STAINLESS-STEEL GG-1000-1A3DR GREEN RESIN STRAP MEN'S WATCH
If you’re an actual military operator, I can personally think of no better timepiece suited for field operations than the G-Shock Mudmaster. Its pretty much the ultimate field watch, and not just for professionals. Even if you’re simply a hobbyist into hiking or trekking, its hard to do better than the Mudmaster. Be it an accidental bump against a wall or a dip into a pool of mud, the G-shock Mudmaster will simply brush off these impacts as though they were merely tickles. Seriously, this watch is built the way tanks wish they could be built, and with its durability aside, the watch also has a slew of useful functions such as an alarm, stopwatch, timer, world timer and even a compass as well. Being a G-shock, the Mudmaster will be the perfect everyday beater for even the roughest of folks.
GR-B100 Gravitymaster
G-SHOCK GRAVITYMASTER DIGITAL QUARTZ BRONZE STAINLESS STEEL GR-B100-1A4DR RESIN STRAP MEN'S WATCH
If the Mudmaster is the perfect field watch, then the Gravitymaster is certainly the perfect modern day pilot’s watch. Functionally, it has all the bells and whistles you can expect from a G-Shock watch but more oriented to travellers, with a Bluetooth link to your smartphone for time synchronization. Its design is rather eye-catching and distinct as well, featuring a bronze-coloured case in stainless steel wrapped with black resin giving off an almost cross shaped appearance. Its certainly a futuristic looking piece, and certainly showcases the prowess and no-nonsense functionality that Casio is capable of with the G-Shock line-up.
GST Series
G-SHOCK G-STEEL DIGITAL QUARTZ SILVER STAINLESS STEEL GST-S130C-1ADR BLACK RESIN STRAP MEN'S WATCH
The G-Steel series of watches is also another line of no-nonsense performance timepieces from the brand’s line up, offering the traditional G-Shock functionality but in a rugged and even more durable case made of stainless steel. Despite sharing the same toughness (or perhaps even more), it is a much more refined line thanks to the metal construction, which feels comfortably hefty thanks to the steel case. The metal case also means that Casio is able to showcase its prowess in finishing and the distinct brushed and polished finishes on the case truly adds some welcome refinement to an otherwise rugged tool watch.
GBD Series
CASIO G-SHOCK GBD-100-1DR MEN'S WATCH
The GBD series is Casio’s take on what a tough smartwatch can and should be. With all that incredible technology packed into the rugged, distinct and ever recognizable G-Shock resin case, it’s a recipe for success. And surprise, surprise, it’s a fantastic smartwatch. Whether you’re taking it for a day out, or to the gym, or even to the forest, its functionality and toughness will capably keep you out of the weeds. With Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone and a built in GPS, it’s the perfect smartwatch for the rough and tough sportsman in all of us.
Perfect tool watches for everyone
So, there you have it, our buyer’s guide to G-Shock watches. Whether you’re looking to get your first one or to add another one into the collection, we hope that this guide did at least help you find one that you will really like, or at the very list, shortlist a few potential candidates to get. Whichever one you get though, you can be rest assured that you’ll be getting a truly excellent piece of kit that’ll definitely put a smile on your face, whenever its with you.
