Casio G-Shock launched a new series of watches with “Caution Yellow” theming, inspired by black and yellow caution signs.
G-Shock says the new watches offer a “striking contrast that catches the eye and ensures unparalleled visibility.”
While it’s far from being my favorite color, I tend to like yellow accents, and so these new G-Shock watches caught my attention.
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The watches actually feature two different accent tones. G-Shock says that the light yellow “adds a colorful pop,” and the dark yellow “intensifies visibility.”
There are 4 styles in the new lineup.
GAB2100CY-1A | 2100 series, analog and digital, $150
GA700CY-1A | GA-700 series, analog and digital, $99
GA100CY-1A | GA-100 series, analog and digital, $110
GWB5600CY-1 | 5600 series, digital, $150
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All of the watches are shock-resistant and feature a matte black case and band. Each style has a different feature set.
I’ve had great experiences with G-Shock watches. I have a different new model on my radar, but it seemed worthwhile to bring these up.
MoogleMan3
I’m a huge g-shock fan and yellow and black are one of my favorite color combinations.
I could easily see the 5600 ending up in my collection.
Steve L
I have a Mudmaster – looks similar to the GA100CY. It is on my wrist whenever I work with my hands. I have abused the hell out of, even rubbing down with turpentine to remove stubborn paint, and it just keeps ticking. Great brand, great watches.
MM
I’m not a watch guy but I like the way these look and it’s certainly a practical high-contrast design.
That said, I can’t but be reminded of one of my old professors, a diminutive man who wore the largest model of G-shock, it looked so silly because the watch itself was larger than his wrist.
Brad
I went through digital watches like crazy in my four years of college cross country/track, so when I enlisted in the Army, I bought a G-Shock before shipping out. When I got bored in basic training, I demonstrated how tough it was supposed to be by pitching it against a brick wall of our barracks. When I got bored in Iraq, put it flat on the pavement and I ran it over with a 5-ton truck. I never bothered to take it off under or in water, whether while snorkeling, showering, or swimming. 23 years later, it works perfectly and, but for a few scrapes to the edge, looks like it’s been babied. All I’ve ever had to do is change the battery. Too bad Casio watches aren’t considered heirlooms or collector’s items.
Anyway, if I still wore watches and needed a durable one, I’d look at a G-shock.
fred
Being a member of what is sometimes called “The Silent Generation” – wrist watches were a big thing for me. They were chosen as gifts to mark milestones in life like entrance into teenage, graduation, weddings and of course retirements. They were passed down as family heirlooms and became prized possessions.
I now am wearing a Casio – which keeps good time (probably better than the several gold watches I have tucked away in the safety deposit box.) I have come to think of Casios (I paid $60 for the last one) as almost expendable items (replace them when the band gets worn). None of my progeny (most using cell phones as timepieces) seem to want any of the watches that are stored away. But considering their value (watch and 18k gold bracelets) they may think better of them when they inherit.
PETE
As a millennial, my grandma gave me a really nice Tag Heuer when I graduated from high school. I wear it for family functions to remind me of grandma.
I have no idea if my boys will be interested in getting a watch at their milestones but i would sure enjoy giving it to them.
fred
I inherited 3 gold watches – each with engravings that have special family sentimentality – a Hamilton, an Omega and a Patek. I also bought a Rolex for me and an AP for my wife) in 1967 on a trip to Europe. I took a lot of grief (from my wife) about their cost (a small fraction of their current worth) – which was excessive considering my income in the 1960’s and struggles to build a business. Like you I might sometimes take one of mine out of the SD box – have it serviced – and then wear it for a family special event.
Jim Felt
fred. I’ve two Pateks. Bought one in a celebratory moment in the late ‘80’s and a second one around the Y2K era. Never expected to drawer them. But for me at least the Motorolas, Nokias and SonyEricksons I had were zero forewarning of the iPhone.
From the iPhone 1 or 3G eras on I simply never again wore a “watch”.
(And, no, I don’t have an Apple Watch either). “The times they are a-changing”…
fred
My wife and I still wear watches everyday – more out of force of habit than necessity. We also both carry iPhones – but I still glance at my analog Casio. My wife’s everyday watch is a Citizen solar powered model – but I’m not sure if she relies on it or just wears it as jewelry.
My take about the Rolex (even though perhaps more subtle since its 18k white gold) is that it walking around the NYCity Theater District with it might be like putting a target on my back. Sad – but for the same reason my wife usually wears little jewelry when we venture into town for dinner and a show.
Mark M.
Big fan of G-Shocks, yellow contrast is cool but not my bag. I’d still be wearing my GW7900B every day 24/7 except for the Garmin Instinct…that thing is like if G-Shock and Apple Watch had a baby. Just an amazingly comfortable and durable smartwatch for people like me who don’t like smartwatches. But no shade on G-Shock, still awesome. There’s just no going back after the Instinct.
JoeM
Although I really like the new designs for the G-Shock watches… I am going to avoid them, as I’m afraid to destroy them. Also… Since I don’t have anywhere near the same problem with Tech as I do with Watches… I hope everyone wishes me luck as I’ve recently bought a Smartwatch. Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5. Had it just around a week, and… So far, so good!
Special note to fred? If you still have that watch you say only has a worn out band, I have inherited a large stockpile of old, dead, watches from my Mother’s “Estate”… I picked up watch repair from my Uncle and Mother, so if you would like the watches up and running again, assuming it’s still just a matter of a worn out watchband, I may have some nice watchbands to replace them with. Changing watchbands is one of the easiest things to do.
JoeM
Having a second think on the topic of these new G-Shocks… I do really like the Yellow on them. I wish they had done this back in the 80’s so I could’ve actually seen the yellow highlights on everything with my childhood models. I’m colourblind, so… The whole “That’s Green!” argument always happened with my watches. I was always noting that I was wearing a watch, and didn’t care what colour it was, as I could’t see it anyways. But a watch I can genuinely see, like these new ones? Gets full marks in my books!
My Smartwatch is “Obsidian” which is just a fancy Black, so I see it fine. The watch faces on the other hand, I’m still deciding which to use, and trying to avoid colours as a whole. Other than Red or Yellow… The only two colours I can actually see. Now if there were G-Shock Red watches? Or maybe a Casio WearOS Android Watch one could customize? I’d go there! I’d settle for a Casio G-Shock Watch Face as well! Casio and Timex are brands I grew up on. I’m very loyal to them as a whole!
Rcward
Love the look of G shocks. But watches have to do more now a days for me to rock it. Compass, steps, heart rate, etc.
Peter Fox
I have always considered watches as a fictional item rather than a fashion accessory. The basic G-Shock DW5600E is really hard to beat. I have had several over the years and they take a beating a just keep working. the main reason I have retired and replaced them is the over-molding eventually gets loose and tears around the edges. I have looked as fancier and more colorful version but never quite felt the need to buy any of them.
Frank D
Used to be a die hard G-shock fan, had a few, loved the solar series and even had a fancy metal g-shock with leather band as my sunday/dress watch … but these says watches do so much more. As much as I don’t like the poor battery life and forced obsolescence with smartwatches … they are so convenient between texts, calls, personal weather station, various alerts, …
Stuart
I have a smart watch, and tend to either wear it habitually or not all for weeks or months at a time.
The daily charging gets annoying if I’m out of routine.
When I’m working on certain things, I wear the smart watch to control my music player.
When I’m working on most things, I prefer my G-Shock. As durable as smartwatches are, I’ve scratched it up a bit, and every time it knocks on something I glance over to make sure I didn’t crack it for good.
I never wear my automatic watch anymore. I need a watch to have enhanced features or be tough. There’s no room really for form ahead of function. With G-Shock, I feel they’re mostly function with just enough form for me to feel good about having a watch on my wrist.
If my hands are clean and my phone’s accessible, that’s my clock for most things.
Frank D
I can’t quite remember the last time I wore one of my Casios instead of my Apple Watch. I have scratched mine up a few times too, especially when working on or under appliances … sharp edges, pointy screws … which means these days I try to remove my watch at those times.
Brossa
I realize that it’s kinda the whole design aesthetic, but man are those things visually busy. Zags and blocks and cleats and divots everywhere.
All of which is fine, but the juxtaposition with the “striking contrast” and “unparalleled visibility” ad copy makes me chuckle. These are the visual equivalent to Sun Ra’s ‘Sea of Sounds’.
Koko The Talking Ape
I agree. These G-Shocks are too busy to read quickly. And they’re too thick to be comfortable under jackets.
I like simple analog watches, what some call “field” or “military” style. My usual watch is an Atlas from Momentum, black face and black strap. It was the cheapest watch with a sapphire crystal and titanium case I could find, and I like the bold, almost humorous but utilitarian style. Momentum is a Canadian company.
My girlfriend did give me a Pro Trek, which is like G-Shock’s less aggressive brother. I love it. But they start at $300.