Casio launched its first G-Shock watch in 1983, and sparked a revolution in mainstream watch buying culture that continues to this day with a huge brigade of fanatical G-Shock supporters worldwide. With its unprecedented shock-resistant case, and rugged good looks, this year, the Japanese brand kicks off a year-long celebration of its most iconic timepiece which will culminate in G-Shock’s 30th anniversary in 2013.
A quintet of shocking red limited-edition models in the best selling G-Shock styles have just been released, and are sure to be snapped up by collectors quicker than you can say ‘eBay’.
Each watch is in a distinctive red gloss or matte red finish. On the case back is a specially engraved 30th anniversary logo designed by graffiti artist Eric Haze.
Frogman Ref. GWFT103A-1
The most costly piece is a version of the popular Frogman model (Ref. GWFT103A-1) in a case made of titanium with gloss-red highlights, equipped with the brand’s trademark Solar Power and radio-controlled Multi-Band 6 Atomic Timekeeping functions.
Frogman Ref. GF8230A-4
There’s another Frogman model (Ref. GF8230A-4) also in gloss red, in the traditional shock-resistant case.
As with all Frogman editions, the anniversary pieces are designed as multi-functional divers’ watches, water-resistant to 200 metres, with built-in tide and moon graphs, dive timers with data memory, world-time functions (48 cities plus UTC) and an automatic EL backlight. The titanium watch retails for $1,700; the other is $500.
G-Shock 5600 Ref. DW6930A-4
Then we come to the classic original G-Shocks, known as the 5600 and 6900 series. The case of the Ref. DW6930A-4, has the same red gloss finish as the Frogman models, and also includes an EL backlight and flash alert function. Its digital display is on a gold-mirrored face.
G-Shock Ref. GWM5630A-4
The other G-Shock (Ref. GWM5630A-4) is the all time classic square case in matte red, and comes with Multi-Band Atomic 6 Timekeeping, Tough Solar Power, and a full auto EL backlight. The DW 6930A-4 retails for just $120 while the GWM5630A-4 goes for slightly more, at $170.
G-Shock Mudman Ref. G-9330A-4
Finally, hail the new 30th anniversary Mudman, engineered for tough outdoor sports and activities. Again, this comes in the official anniversary matte red, with functions that include a twin-sensor-activated digital compass and thermometer, a moon graph and data, and 48-cities-plus-UTC world-time function, along with the ever-useful auto EL backlight. This watch will retail for $220.
