Casio G-Shock watches are a popular choice among watch enthusiasts because of their durability, reliability, and affordability. The company has been around since the 1970s and continues to evolve. They’re extremely popular among outdoor enthusiasts due to their many features and they can be worn in an office setting thanks to their iconic look.
I wear my G-Shock everywhere I go from the hiking trail to the courthouse and while meeting with high net-worth clients. Everyone comments on my watch because it looks rugged and looks great on my wrist. I’m an attorney by trade and while many attorneys wear shiny gold and silver watches that cost a small fortune, no one has ever said anything negative about wearing G-Shocks in a professional setting. In fact, I’ve converted many lawyers to switch to G-Shocks because you can go straight from court to the gym without switching watches.
Choosing the best G-Shock watch can be an extremely tough endeavor because there are so many models to choose from! Unlimited color combinations, features, styles, and sizes make it easy to get lost and frustrated while choosing your next watch. To make your decision even harder, Casio makes another line of extremely tough ABC watches called ProTrek. All of these factors make it a tough nut to crack when choosing.
This Casio G-Shock buyer’s guide will help you narrow down your choices so you can focus on the features that are most important to you.
Style Matters.
There are several different styles of G-Shocks available today, each with its own unique features. Here are some of the basic types of watches to choose from:
- Analog – This type of watch displays numbers and letters using an analog display. They are typically larger than digital watches and are often used by pilots, divers, and other professionals who need to see large amounts of data at once.
- Digital – These watches feature a digital display that’s easy to read and shows you the time, date, day, and other important data in one spot. You can get a GPS watch that shows your location on the display as well.
- Hybrid – Many Casio G-Shocks and ProTrek watches are a combination of analog/digital and combine both analog and digital technology into one watch.
Casio G-Shock Battery Life.
G-Shocks are known for having robust batteries. Most will last from 2 to 6 years with regular use. This number can be higher or lower depending on how often you use the backlight and alarms. Personally, I’ve never had a G-Shock battery stop working in less than 7 years and have been lucky. The Tough Solar line of solar-powered G-Shocks can easily outlast the majority of watch batteries on the market and you can often get up to 15 years of battery life from them.
Your first choice should be whether you want a regular battery or a solar-powered G-Shock. You will pay more for the Tough Solar G-Shocks, but they’ve been known to last a really long time and could be a great long-term investment.
Extreme Durability.
If you’re looking for a durable watch that you can literally wear anywhere, then you’ve come to the right place. G-Shocks are some of the most durable watches available today. They are built to withstand extreme conditions, such as being dropped from heights of up to 10 feet onto concrete, and can easily survive your daily grind. These watches are designed to be tough enough to survive a nuclear blast, and they’ve been tested to withstand temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. A watch’s durability is the number one factor I consider when choosing a new watch. I don’t care as much about the aesthetics as long as it is a workhorse that can survive anything.
Different G-Shock styles and models have different levels of durability. Resin watch bands can take heavy use day in and day out. Metal bands have similar durability and will look great for years. While all G-Shocks have a high level of durability, it is true that some G-Shock watch models are made substantially tougher than others. A few examples of the toughest G-Shocks are the GX-56BB-1 which is a blocky square G-Shock that looks similar to the original watches and is made for maximum toughness. Other contenders include the G-7900-3, the GW-9400 Rangeman, the GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster, and the GWF-D1000B-1 Frogman to name a few.
G-Shock Watch Bands.
Most G-Shock watch bands are made of resin which is an extremely tough plastic that will last for a long time. Casio chose to make watch bands from resin because it is easy to care for and can handle heavy-duty use. G-Shock watch bands are customizable and give your watch a rugged and sporty look. It also comes in many different colors and you can easily find G-Shock replacement bands for any model of watch you own.
Casio also makes metal G-Shock watch bands that look amazing with business casual wear and a suit and tie. Metal watch bands are stylish and are tough as nails. You can wear a metal G-Shock to the boardroom or on the water and it won’t fail you. Personally, I wear resin watch bands because I get them dirty all the time and they are easy to clean.
Watch Size.
Casio G-Shock watches are available in different sizes and styles. Most G-Shocks you see daily are large and take up a lot of wrist space. Many of them measure above 50 millimeters. Casio originally made G-Shocks smaller, but they now have more features and often require a larger design. However, you can still find many models of G-Shock watches for small wrists or with a lower profile that allows you to wear a long-sleeve shirt or a business suit without it bunching up over your watch. There are plenty of models that measure less than 44 millimeters.
I wear a medium-sized G-Shock that has the majority of features I like and looks great with business attire. However, my next G-Shock will feature Tough Solar and will likely be on the large side.
Price.
There are several different models available at various price points. You can find watches with stainless steel cases, leather bands, and even gold plated finishes. Depending on how much money you’re willing to spend, you can choose between a variety of styles and designs.
The G Shock is one of the most popular brands of wristwatches because of its durability and affordability. These watches are designed to withstand extreme conditions such as high altitudes, water immersion, and temperature extremes without breaking the bank. There’s a reason that Casio G-Shocks have been around for a long time and have continued to be some of the highest selling watches of all time.
There are plenty of G-Shocks under $100 and even a few models under $50 (at the time of posting). While everything seems to be going up in price these days, you can always find a good deal on a G-Shock. They run tons of Black Friday deals on G-Shocks and I’ve seen watches that cost upwards of $120 and lowered in price down to $60 occasionally.
If you don’t mind spending more money on your watch then you can view some high-end models such as the Rangemaster, Mudmaster, G-Steel, and even some limited edition models.
Water Resistance.
Casio G-Shock watches are built to withstand harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, dust, dirt, sand, rain, snow, saltwater, and other elements such as rain and being submerged in water.
If you use your watch often, you need one that is water-resistant. Casio G-Shocks are well known for their amazing water resistance capabilities. Most G-Shocks are water resistant up to 200M, while others are 100M. This allows you to wear your G-Shock in any type of situation such as exploring mountain ranges, whitewater rafting, or just working in the yard. Many people take showers while wearing their G-Shock.
You never know when you will get your watch wet from splashes, raindrops, or even a full submersion so it’s good to have a true water-resistant watch.
In Conclusion:
Purchasing a Casio G-Shock watch is an entirely personal endeavor, but it’s one that will you a long time. Whether you want an all-black G-Shock or a metal watch to wear to the office, there is a style for everyone. I highly recommend reading reviews from different users to see what people love or hate about a particular watch you are looking at. I’ve changed my mind about the type of G-Shocks I wanted to buy hundreds of times so it’s a good idea to view all of them before making a final decision.
Jerome is an avid outdoorsman who moonlights as an attorney when he’s not creating the world’s greatest online content.