Casio Releases First 30th Anniversary G-SHOCK Models
Featuring Red Brand Color Inspired by the Image of the Rising Sun
- August 10, 2012
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TOKYO, August 10, 2012 — Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today
that it will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its G-SHOCK brand of
shock-resistant watches—coming up in April 2013—by releasing
commemorative and collaboration models and hosting various events and
other activities around the world over the next year. The celebration
begins today with three new anniversary models featuring a red color
scheme reminiscent of a rising sun.
The G-SHOCK brand got its start when a single Casio engineer decided to
try to develop a watch that was virtually unbreakable. The original
model with shock-resistant construction—the DW-5000—was released in
1983. Overturning the idea of wristwatches being fragile and easy to
break, the G-SHOCK created a whole new market for tough watches. Since
that time, the brand has continued to evolve in pursuit of even greater
toughness. Casio has developed nearly 3,000 G-SHOCK models thus far.
With the inclusion of innovative functions and constant performance
improvements, the G-SHOCK brand continues to define the cutting edge.
The first three watches in the upcoming series of 30th anniversary
models feature the G-SHOCK red brand color. The vivid red inspired by
the rising sun highlights and distinguishes these watches. Gold
detailing in the LCD and lettering as well as gold ion plating on metal
parts such as the back plate and screws give the watches a glamorous
look suitable for the 30th anniversary celebration. Each of the new
models recalls the design and functionality of different popular G-SHOCK
models of years gone by. The back plates are engraved with a 30th
anniversary logo designed by world-famous graphic designer Eric Haze,
and each watch comes with custom packaging worthy of the special
occasion.
Main features of these four 30th Anniversary Models
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- FROGMAN GF-8230A features ISO 200-meter water resistance
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- MUDMAN G-9330A is dust-resistant and dirt-resistant, and has twin censors for compass bearing and temperature
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- DW-6930A has the globally popular G-SHOCK rounded design
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Main Specifications
FROGMAN GF-8230A-4
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Construction
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Shock-resistant
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Water Resistance
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ISO 200-meter water resistance
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Diving Functions
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Dive time: 1 second increments, up to 23:59'59;
Surface interval: 1 minute increments, up to 47:59'59 |
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Memory Capacity
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10 sets of data (dive time, dive start time, dive date)
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Moon Data
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Moon age of the specific date, moon phase graph
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World Time
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48 cities (31 time zones; daylight saving on/off;
daylight saving time (summer time) auto switching/ standard time and
Coordinated Universal Time
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Stopwatch
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1/100-second stopwatch; measuring capacity: 23:59'59.99''; split time
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Countdown Timer
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Measuring unit: 1 minute; input range: 1 minute to 24 hours (1-minute increments and 1-hour increments)
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Alarm
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5 independent daily alarms (1 snooze alarm); hourly time signal
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Other Functions
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Battery recharge warning; full auto-calendar;
12/24-hour format; button operation tone on/off; EL backlight (full-auto
EL backlight)
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Power Source
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Tough Solar power system (solar-charging system)
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Continuous Operation
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About 27 months with the power-saving function* ON after full charge
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Size of Case
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52.0 × 50.3 × 18.0mm
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Total Weight
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Approx. 112g
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MUDMAN G-9330-4A
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Construction |
Shock-resistant |
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Water Resistance |
200 meters |
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Digital Compass |
Measures and displays direction as one of 16 points;
measuring range: 0° to 359°; measuring unit: 1°; 20 seconds continuous
measurement; graphic direction pointer; bearing memory; magnetic
declination correction; bidirectional calibration and northerly
calibration function |
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Thermometer |
Measuring range: -10 to 60°C (14 to 140°F); measuring unit: 0.1°C (0.2°F) |
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Moon Data |
Moon age of the input data; moon phase graph |
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World Time |
48 cities (31 time zones; daylight saving on/off) and Coordinated Universal Time |
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Stopwatch |
1/100-second stopwatch; measuring capacity: 999:59'59.99"; elapsed time; split time |
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Countdown Timer |
Measuring unit: 1 second; input range: 1 minute to 24 hours (1-minute increments and 1-hour increments) |
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Alarm |
5 independent daily alarms (of which 1 snooze alarm); hourly time signal |
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Other Functions |
Full auto-calendar; 12/24-hour format; button operation
tone on/off; electro-luminescent backlight (full auto EL light with
afterglow); selectable illumination duration: 1.5 or 3.0 seconds |
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Power Source |
Tough Solar power system (solar-charging system) |
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Continuous Operation |
About 22 months with the power-saving function* ON after full charge
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Size of Case |
53.0 × 50.8 × 18.2 mm |
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Total Weight |
68.5 g |
DW-6930A-4
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Construction |
Shock-resistant |
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Water Resistance |
200 meters |
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Stopwatch |
1/100-second stopwatch; measuring capacity:
00'00"00~59'59"99 (for the first 60 minutes), 1:00'00~23:59'59 (after 60
minutes); split time |
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Countdown timer |
Measuring unit: 1 second; input range: 1 minute to 24 hours (1-minute increments and 1-hour increments); auto-repeat |
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Alarm |
Multi-function alarm; hourly time signal |
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Other Functions |
Full auto-calendar (to year 2039); 12/24-hour format;
EL backlight with afterglow; flash alert (flashes with buzzer that
sounds for alarm, hourly time signal, countdown timer, time up alarm) |
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Approx. battery life |
2 years on CR2016 |
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Size of Case |
53.2 × 50.0 × 16.3mm |
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Total Weight |
Approx. 67g |
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Construction |
Shock-resistant |
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Water Resistance |
200 meters |
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Time Calibration Signals |
Station name:DCF77 (Mainflingen, Germany)
Frequency:77.5 kHz
Station name MSF (Anthorn, England)
Frequency: 60.0 kHz
Station name WWVB (fort Collins, United State)
Frequency: 60.0 kHz
Station name: JJY (Fukushima, Fukuoka/Saga, Japan)
Frequency: 40.0 kHz (Fukushima) / 60.0 kHz (Fukuoka/Saga)
Station name: BPC (Shangqiu City, Henan Province, China)
Frequency: 68.5 kHz |
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Time calibration signal reception |
Auto receive up to six* times a day (Remaining auto receives canceled as soon as one is successful)
*5 times a day for the Chinese calibration signal
Manual receive
Last time received display |
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Stopwatch |
1/100-second stopwatch; Measuring capacity: 23:59'59.99"
Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times |
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Countdown timer |
Measuring unit: 1 second
Input range: 1 minute to 24 hours(1-minute increments and 1-hour increments) |
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Daily alarms |
5 independent daily alarms (4 one-time alarms and 1 snooze alarm) |
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World Time |
29 time zones (48 cities + Universal Coordinated Time), city code display, daylight saving on/off |
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Accuracy: |
ħ15 seconds per month (with no signal calibration) |
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Other Functions |
Full auto-calendar (to year 2099); 12/24-hour format;
Full auto EL light, afterglow; hourly time signal, Button operation tone on/of |
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Approx. battery life |
Recharge (SOLAR) |
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Size of Case |
46.7 × 43.2 × 12.7mm |
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Total Weight |
Approx. 51g |
The G-SHOCK Story
Development Concept
The development objective for the G-SHOCK was to create a watch that would not break even if dropped, and, true to Casio's radically innovative spirit as a company, to challenge the notion that wristwatches are fragile and have to be handled with care. The G-SHOCK has changed people's attitudes about watches. To this day, all G-SHOCK models are created according to this development concept.
Shock Resistance
The watch can also be shot like a puck with an ice hockey stick, and it will still keep working. A commercial describing the durability of the G-SHOCK in this way has actually been independently verified by a TV program, thereby proving the shock resistance of the product. Many firefighters and police officers wear G-SHOCK watches on the job.
Cultural Trends
The G-SHOCK initially caught the attention of young street-sport enthusiasts like skateboarders. The distinctive shape and rugged style of the watch, which convey its superior shock resistance, appealed to the sensibilities of these young people. Many adopted it as a fashion statement to express their individuality. Gradually, this sensibility was adopted by mainstream youth. This soon led to the G-SHOCK becoming the first digital watch to be used commonly as a fashion statement by young people. Today, the G-SHOCK is an essential accessory for young people in a variety of scenes, from sports such as snowboarding and surfing, to club scenes including DJs and dancers, as well as reggae and jungle music fans.
Sales Success
The G-SHOCK first became a hit in the United States in the 1980s. From the 1990s, its popularity spread to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asian countries, as well as to Germany and other parts of Europe. Today, the G-SHOCK is loved the world over by men and women of all ages. Over the 30 years since 1983, over 60 million G-SHOCK watches have been sold in nearly 100 countries — an astonishing sales record for a single wristwatch brand.
Social Contribution
The G-SHOCK paved the way for the digital watch era by securing popularity in the youth culture. As a result, the G-SHOCK has now become a must-have brand for the younger generation. To make the most of this energy to benefit the public, Casio has forged partnerships with sports and environmental protection organizations, using the G-SHOCK as a means to make vast numbers of young people aware of their activities. This is the kind of social contribution that only a brand like G-SHOCK can make. Furthermore, by supporting world-class sporting events such as World Cup soccer, and Americas Cup yacht racing, G-SHOCK has gone beyond youth culture to become a truly global brand.
History of Main G-SHOCK Models
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Release Year |
Features |
Model Name |
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1983 |
World's first shock-resistant wristwatch |
DW-5000 |
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1985 |
Square-shaped face with dust/dirt-proof construction |
DW-5500 |
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1987 |
Best-selling model and successor to the square-shaped DW-5000 |
DW-5600 |
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1987 |
Circular-shaped model |
DW-5700 |
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1989 |
Adopted a combination of analog and digital display |
AW-500 |
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1990 |
First hit model in Japan, employing a new face design |
DW-5900/DW-6000 |
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1993 |
First Frogman diving model, water resistant to a depth of 200 meters |
DW-6300 |
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1994 |
Equipped with EL backlight |
DW-6600 |
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1994 |
First model supporting environmental protection |
"Dolphin & Whale Eco-Research Network" Model |
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1994 |
Shock-resistant wristwatch for women (first Baby-G model) |
DW-520 |
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1996 |
Pair of G-SHOCK and Baby-G watches (his and hers) |
Lover's Collection |
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1996 |
Full-metal casing with shock-resistant construction |
MRG-100 |
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1998 |
Tough Solar G-SHOCK with solar-powered mechanism |
DW-9300 |
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2000 |
Wave Ceptor watch with radio-controlled timekeeping |
GW-100 |
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2002 |
Solar-powered radio-controlled watch*1 |
GW-300 |
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2006 |
Dust- and mud-resistant construction with automatic time calibration using standard radio waves from five transmitters worldwide |
GW-9000 |
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2008 |
First model with Multi-Band 6 technology for automatic
time calibration using standard radio waves from six transmitters
worldwide*2 |
GW-9200 |
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2008 |
First model with Tough Movement, a slim, analogue, radio-controlled, solar-powered movement |
GS-1200 |
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2010 |
Pilot's watch resistant to centrifugal gravitational force |
GW-3000 |
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2012 |
First model with TRIPLE G RESIST, featuring resistance to shock, centrifugal force, and vibration |
GW-4000 |
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2012 |
First model with Smart Access system, enabling smooth operation of a wide range of functions |
GW-A1000 |
*1 Radio-controlled watch
A radio-controlled watch shows the correct time by receiving standard radio waves from precise time transmitters (standard time). Currently, these watches can receive long-wave standard radio waves from JJY (Fukushima 40 kHz and Kyushu 60 kHz) in Japan, DCF77 (Mainflingen 77.5 kHz) in Germany, MSF (Anthorn 60 kHz) in the United Kingdom, WWVB (Fort Collins 60 kHz) in the United States, and BPC (Shangqiu, Henan 68.5 kHz) in China. This technology enables the watch to always display the correct time.
*2 Six transmitters worldwide: Germany, UK, US, China and two in Japan