Style / World of Watches (WOW)

From Rugged to “Dressy”, G-Shock watches for every style, taste and budget

G-Shock watches continue to address the daily enduring needs of the most punishing activities and now addressing fashion trend needs of the new generation

Jul 11, 2017 | By Jonathan Ho

As every Singaporean male who has undergone National Service (if not National Service then Secondary School) from the mid 80s to early 90s will attest, the Casio G-Shock is de rigeur watch instrument. Indeed, G-Shock watches are built on a premise of “Triple 10” ideals – 10-year battery life, 10-bar water resistance and 10-meter dropping shock resistance – all features which not only led development of G-Shock’s highly robust and resistant structure, but also its reputation for hard-wearing, rough-riding street-cred.

What started at birth in 1983 was a digital watch with rugged aesthetics which developed from the original engineering brief at Casio headquarters for an “unbreakable watch”. G-Shock watches continue to address the daily enduring needs of the most punishing activities while beginning to address the streetwear and fashion trend needs of the new generation of millennials unaccustomed to wristwatches, from rugged to “dressy”, there are finally G-Shock watches for every style, taste and budget

The GA-1100SC-3ADR features G-Shock’s twin sensor technology, which includes a digital compass and thermometer to measure directional and temperature changes. Other features include five daily alarm, 1/100 second stopwatch and countdown timer, neo-brite luminous hands and world time (featuring 48 cities), house within a 52.1mm case.

The G-Shock Gravitymaster with Sky Camouflage GA-1100SC-3ADR features G-Shock’s twin sensor technology, which includes a digital compass and thermometer to measure directional and temperature changes. Other features include five daily alarm, 1/100 second stopwatch and countdown timer, neo-brite luminous hands and world time (featuring 48 cities), house within a 52.1mm case.

From Rugged to “Dressy”, G-Shock watches for every style, taste and budget

 

Addressing the hyper-masculine super-heroic needs is the G-Shock Gravitymaster. Developed in response to pilots’ needs, the G-Shock Gravitymaster offers further improved time display accuracy by way of three advanced time-correction systems: terrestrial radio wave reception (Multi Band 6), GPS satellite signal reception and Bluetooth® transmission.

For the Rugged: Casio Singapore introduces G-Shock Gravitymaster in Sky Camouflage

Additionally, the world’s most enduring watch is now backed by the Triple G Resist structure to fortify the case of the Gravitymaster – Fine resin parts (FRP) are installed at both ends of the band shaft and fixed with carbon FRP stoppers, strengthening the connections between case and band while the case frame of the Gravitymaster is itself built from the tough resin descended from original G-Shock architecture. As a result of these architectural improvements, the new G-Shock Gravitymaster is designed to withstand three types of gravitational acceleration: external shocks, centrifugal gravity and vibrations – it’s likely your G-Shock watch would live on long after you have expired from those forces, #justsaying.

Equipped with G-Shock’s Tough Solar Power function and Triple G Resist, the GW- 4000SC-3ADR (right) features a mineral case with a camouflage resin case and band.

Equipped with G-Shock’s Tough Solar Power function and Triple G Resist, the GW- 4000SC-3ADR (right) features a mineral case with a camouflage resin case and band.

 

In terms of aesthetics, Casio Singapore recently announced the three new military-inspired models for the G-Shock Gravitymaster series. The new connected GPW-2000, GW-4000SC and GA-1100 models still reflect the aviation inspired roots in design and performance but now reflective of martial jet-fighter design elements like Sky Camouflage. The G-Shock Gravitymaster GPW-2000-3ADR has a solid olive drab band with a carbon fiber insert. while the GW-4000SC-3ADR and GA-1100SC-3ADR have bands with woodland camouflage motifs.

 

Returning is the dial-face meant to be evocative of cockpit indicators like latitude indicators and sunken framed sub dials. All three models feature a dual layer band with an orange inner layer. The connected feature extends beyond mere GPS capabilities and also includes what Casio calls “Mission Stamp” – a nifty time and location recording function like what you see in those movies  with Spec Ops transmitted to a native G-Shock app on your smartphone via Bluetooth (now if only Casio would build a smartphone to those resistance specs because it’s unlikely that your phone survives the punishment a G-Shock MASTER could conceivably endure).

All three models of the new G-Shock Gravitymaster in Sky Camouflage collection come equipped with G-Shock’s legendary endurance of 200m water and shock resistance.

G-Shock Gravitymaster Singapore Pricing and Availability

The G-Shock Gravitymaster in Sky Camouflage collection will be available at all G-Factory Singapore stores in July 2017. Retail Price for the GPW-2000-3ADR – S$1,399, the GW-4000SC-3ADR retails at S$499 and the GA-1100SC-3ADR retails at S$429.

While G-Shock’s legendary reputation was founded on a tradition of resin bodies, the G-Shock G-Steel watch range aspires to combine both toughness (from protective resin) with the aesthetic appeal of brushed and polished steel. The result is not a perfunctory effort where Casio simply wraps metal around resin, instead, the G-Steel G-Shock watches are the result of development of an all new Core Guard Structure which makes the G-Steel watch range as robust and resistant as the resin-based G-Shock watches. What you get is a G-Steel which has the functionality of your armoured G-Shock with the sophisticated elegance of finished metal.

For the Dressy: Casio Singapore introduces G-Steel G-Shock in Midsize

Casio Singapore recently announced the release of all new G-Steel G-Shock watches in a wearable new midsize (perfect for couples to share). The latest G-Steel watch series features an evolved version of the  layer guard structure combining different materials.

Aesthetically, the new midsized G-Steel G-Shock retains the same sophisticated metal finish of the larger MT-G models only that the previous diameter of 47.9mm has been reduced to a more wrist-friendly and gender-neutral 45.3mm proportions. Available in five variations, the GST-S300 and GST-S310 have proportionally thinner cases as well which not only sit better on smaller wrists but also slip comfortably under shirt sleeves.

That said, don’t mistake its new svelte form (speaking relatively of course) for lower tolerances. The new Midsize G-Steel watches are still pretty bad ass – the layer guard structure combining metal and resin materials continue to be a key feature in G-Steel watches. The compact G-Steel GST-S300 features a fine resin ring under a urethane bezel. Both GST-S310D and GST-S300 designs absorb shock, further enhancing their shock-resistant performance.

From Left: Midsize G-Steel GST-S300BD-1A and GST-S310D-1A

From Left: Midsize G-Steel GST-S300BD-1A and GST-S310D-1A

Equipped with the Tough Solar system, the latest compact G-Steel watch settles the perennial concern which mechanical watch enthusiasts often face when it comes to the hassle of replacing the power supply. With G-Steel, the solution comes in the from of Tough Solar which powers the watch using either sunlight or indoor light. Speaking of light, the G-steel series features neo-brite luminous hands and a larger index marks for easy reading. Digital LCDs subdials are positioned handsomely at three, six, and nine o’clock, displaying a variety of data such as date, function info, and cities.

Left: Midsize G-Steel GST-S300G-1A2, GST-S300-1A and GST-S300-1A9

Left: Midsize G-Steel GST-S300G-1A2, GST-S300-1A and GST-S300-1A9

In case you’re wondering how you’re supposed to read additional data displayed on the three LCD subdials when the fairly large hands are obscuring your view, the new G-Steel G-Shock watches are also equipped with a hand shift feature that temporarily moves the hands out ofthe way with just a touch of the button, as well as double LED lights to illuminate the dial and LCDs.

G-Steel Singapore Pricing and Availability

For the mid size G Steel Singapore price ranges from S$369 to $529. The GST-S300 and GST-S310 will be available at all G-Factory stores in July 2017. 

 

For those wanting a balance between the extremes of pure machismo and elegant sophistication: Casio Singapore introduces the new G-Shock X Robert Geller Limited Edition

The new G-Shock x Robert Geller collaboration is a new limited edition G-Steel watch that is conceived for the active gentleman with refined tastes. The Limited Edition G-Steel GST200RBG-1 was inspired by urban elements in Tokyo.

Robert Gellar's recent New York Men's Fashion Week runway presentation with accents of fuchsia, a colour which makes its way into the new G-Steel Robert Gellar Limited Edition timepiece.

Robert Gellar’s recent New York Men’s Fashion Week runway presentation with accents of fuchsia, a colour which makes its way into the new G-Steel Robert Gellar Limited Edition timepiece.

Geller and G-Shock have collaborated on five previous runway presentations during New York Men’s Fashion Week but this is the first time both brands have produced a G-Shock watch of joint design.

“I have been working with G-SHOCK for several years, and was very pleased when we decided to create a watch together. I wore a G-SHOCK watch throughout my teenage years, so it is really exciting to be able to make my own, more grown up version. For the past ten years, I have been producing my ready to wear collection in Japan because I love the quality and care of Japanese craftsmanship. G-SHOCK shares this same love, which is why this collaboration is a natural fit for us.” – Menswear Designer Robert Geller

The X Robert Gellar G-Steel GST200RBG-1 boasts a stealthy “anything in black is fashionable” aesthetic thanks to its black ion plated stainless steel metal band, case and buttons, with gold accents on the face and a dark fuchsia second hand that pays tribute to Gellar’s most recent collection.

The dark fuchsia second hand on the G-Steel Robert Gellar limited edition takes inspiration from Gellar's own 2017 New York Men's Fashion week runway presentation.

The dark fuchsia second hand on the G-Steel Robert Gellar limited edition takes inspiration from Gellar’s own 2017 New York Men’s Fashion week runway presentation.

From a design perspective, gold accents are meant to be evocative of the lights of the Tokyo City skyline. In terms of technical features – the G-Steel Robert Gellar Limited Edition GST200RBG-1 carries the G-Shock collection’s signature shock resistance and water resistance up to 200 meters, an auto super illuminator LED light, neo-brite luminous hands, world time (31 time zones + UTC), five daily alarms, 1/100th second stopwatch and countdown timer and 12/24 hour formats.

G-Steel Robert Gellar Limited Edition Singapore Pricing and availability

The G-Steel Robert Gellar Limited Edition GST200RBG-1 has a suggested retail price of US$420, thus it is likely to cost SG$700 thereabouts. The G-Steel GST200RBG-1 is expected to be available at select G-SHOCK retailers, G-Factory Singapore and online towards end-July.

 


 
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