Hanging tough
35 years after branding itself the most resilient watch around, Casio’s G-Shock is still selling, and still evolving
No l onger do we have to imagine a gleaming version of the rugged, robust, resin G-Shock. Casio’s tough timepiece has been spruced up in full metal to mark its 35th anniversary.
The new, lustrous 5000 series, like the 5600 series, has the chunky square DNA of the original model introduced in 1983 by the Japanese brand, whose objective then was to invent an unbreakable watch.
Its popularity actually spread first in the US after a commercial showed an icehockey player hitting a G-Shock instead of a puck, proving how tough it really was.
Thereafter, in Japan and the rest of the world, Casio’s invention became a cult classic, redesigned in different forms, colours and patterns made possible by the lightweight and malleable urethane resin.
Now fashioned in stainless steel, the fullmetal 5000 series outshines the familiar sporty models, as a stylish reinterpretation of the very first G-Shock.
Reproducing the square silhouette involves forging and cutting technologies to sculpt the steel, whose surface undergoes mirror polishing and hairline finishing to maximise the metallic texture.
The steel housing does not compromise on toughness, as the case, band and buttons have been redesigned as a full-metal, shock-resistant structure.
Back in 1983, Kikuo Ibe engineered the first G-Shock with a hollow case structure, an all-directional covering, a protruding configuration and a curved band to protect the watch against shock.
The module “floated” in this hollow structure inspired by the inside of a ball, following Ibe’s analogy of a child bouncing a rubber ball.
Casio later improved the structure, by utilising resin for the inner case and protecting key parts inside the module with the cushioning material.
Likewise, the full-metal 5000 series is strengthened with fine-resin cushioning material developed to offset the more powerful dropping shocks resulting from the additional weight of stainless-steel parts.
The shock-resistant construction is enhanced by large, cylindrical, forged buttons with internal pipes and a threepronged lug structure in attaching case to band, whose steel pieces undergo a dimple-processing to reproduce the design of the original model’s resin band.
G-Shock has evolved beyond structure, with added functions such as LED backlighting, solar energy, radio control, sport mode, temperature resistance and smartphone connectivity.
The 5000 series is the latest G-Shock Connected watch featuring Bluetooth connectivity.
Accurate timekeeping is ensured by the Connected Engine, which connects to a time server via a paired smartphone and radio-wave time-calibration signals. A smartphone app makes it easy to operate and change watch options such as world times and alarms.
The full-metal variations include the silver edition in stainless steel, the gold edition with gold ion plating treatment, and the black Porter model with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating.
The gold and Porter limited editions bear the 35th anniversary logo on the back of the case and respectively come in a commemorative box and a Porter bag designed by Japanese luggage-maker Yoshida & Co.
A collaboration with Japanese fashion label kolor will add another limited edition to Casio’s metallic-watch family, set to launch in Thailand at the Central International Watch Fair on Aug 29.