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| A well used G-Shock DW-6600 |
History
The first G-Shock was the DW-5000C designed by an engineer working for Casio named Kikuo Ibe. It was released in April 1983. For the next few years Casio released a handful of new models each year. The Baby-G models were released in 1991. The popularity of G-Shocks increased rapidly throughout the 1990s. By 1998, 19 million G-Shocks had been sold worldwide, and there seemed to be a peak in demand as over 220 new models were released in that year alone. Casio has collaborated with many designers including Dee and Ricky, musicians and other pop culture luminaries to release hundreds of limited edition G-Shocks with custom designs. This long tradition of unique watches has helped build an avid following among collectors world-wide over the years.
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| A classic white G-Shock GA100A-7A |
Today
This line of watches has expanded considerably since then and now includes atomic clock synchronization and Tough Solar functionality in the latest models. The Cockpit Series G-Shock is the official timekeeper of Nismo Racing. Many newer G-Shocks feature metal (steel or titanium) banding, and ornate analog timekeeping.
Twice a year (Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter collection) the basic models are updated. New limited models are introduced more frequently through the year. As with Swatch watches, G-Shocks have become collectors items. Arguably, the most sought after line is the Frogman. Limited edition Frogmans such as the Brazilian, Men in Yellow, Black Helios and Black Spots are some of the most desirable Frogmans.
Casio also produces collaboration models, often with popular fashion brands, like A Bathing Ape (Bape), Stussy, Xlarge, KIKS TYO, Nano Universe, Levi's, Lifted Research Group, as well as Coca Cola, Lucky Strike and Marlboro.
Also there are special models released to put attention on the environment, like the International Cetacean Education and Research Centre (I.C.E.R.C) models, also known as the Dolphin and Whales models.
G-Shock is very popular with paramedics, police officers, astronauts, firemen and soldiers. According to Mark Bowden's book Blackhawk Down, the DELTA Operators wore G-Shock watches during the combat events of October 3rd and October 4th. Since then, G-Shocks watches have become very popular with Special Forces groups in both American and other NATO nation units, due to their being "battle tested".
In the '90's a lot of mooks (subtraction of Book and Magazine) were released to promote G-Shock. Casio released the "G-Shock Official Book" in 2006 in Japan, reviving the interest of (mostly Japanese) G-Shock collectors. Also in 2010 ("G-Shock Perfect Bible") and 2010 ("The Book of G-Shock") a special mook was released.
Casio G-Shocks are also popular among the military, and military divers. As the name of G-Shock's divers watch implies. The Casio G-Shock Frogman was released in the early 2010 and is very popular amongst military Frogmen.
Models/series
- Baby-G was created as an addition to the G-Shock brand.
- Master of G
- Tough Solar
- Wave Ceptor
- Pathfinder
- DW-5000-5200
- DW-5600C
- DW-5600E
- DW-5900
- DW-6100
- DW-6600
- DW-6900FS
- DW-8200
- GW-2500
- AWG-101
- AWG-100
- Frogman Series
- Cockpit Series
- G-Lide
- Giez
- Gulfman
- Limited Models
- MT-G
- MR-G
- Go Green Project: G5600GR-7, G6900GR-3, G2300GR-3
