Japan’s Casio loved a lot success with the 2018 G-Shock GMW-B5000 watches (aBlogtoWatch hands-on right here), that buyers had been hard-pressed to search out them obtainable in retail shops. I recall internet hosting an occasion at a watch retailer final summer season the place the only GMW-B5000 watch obtainable was bought quickly after the occasion opened. I’ve personally scouted many Casio retailers all over the world over the past yr and, certainly, discovered that the GMW-B5000 was a little bit of a ghost — and for good purpose. What Casio did so nicely was create a mature however hip model of a core G-Shock look that so many individuals are after. 2019 continues to see Casio try to ramp up manufacturing to satisfy demand for the GMW-B5000 watches and, on the identical time, they provide a brand new “aged IP” taste of this all-metal G-Shock because the ref. GMW-B5000V (GMW-B5000V-1).
This is among the first “pre-aged” Casio watches I’ve seen. Japan’s style tradition definitely loves vintage-style or attractively aged items, however so far as I do know, Casio hasn’t but actually come out with something that matches that development. Right here we see Casio apply an “synthetic growing old” approach to the black ion-plated coating over the bottom metal case and matching bracelet. Casio remarks that the GMW-B5000V undergoes “proprietary growing old processing to provide a classic look.” That fairly nicely sums up what this taste of the GMW-B5000 “full metallic” G-Shock watch is all about.
Visually, the GMW-B5000V appears to be like cooler than its description would possibly recommend. In numerous methods, having a pre-aged timepiece is out of character for Casio. It doesn’t match with the indestructible theme of the G-Shock watch household, and it doesn’t at all times jibe with the trendy and technological sensibilities of the model. That mentioned, this out-of-character product is great-looking in individual and is definitely very trendy. I actually don’t wish to see Casio pumping out “growing old processed” watches, but when they produce one thing just like the GMW-B5000V on occasion, I believe it may make numerous sense for the model and its followers.
What made the GMW-B5000 assortment so standard to start with was Casio’s skillful combination of practicality and high quality (together with worth). The GMW-B5000V-1 is on the prime of the value spectrum for the gathering at $1,000 however nonetheless represents an excellent worth if you evaluate it to the pre-aged vintage-style watches provided by many luxurious manufacturers. Zenith, for instance, does a reasonably good job with its pilot watch assortment — if you wish to spend not less than a number of thousand dollars extra for a watch.
At its greatest, the GMW-B5000V appears to be like like a G-Shock rediscovered from the 1980s, however for at this time. The squared case form, display screen design, and bracelet all really feel like components of 1980s Casio. However this can be a high-end G-Shock product full with a well-polished and -designed case, DLC-coated caseback (not aged), and a Bluetooth-connected solar-powered digital quartz motion. Talking of Bluetooth, it’s an absolute pleasure to regulate your G-Shock watch with the G-Shock Linked app. I like to recommend that for anybody who hasn’t tried it but and will get considered one of at this time’s Bluetooth linked G-Shock merchandise.
Though the GMW-B5000V has a “full metallic” construction, it options all of the engineering and case building strategies needed to supply the class-defining sturdiness of a G-Shock watch (together with 200 meters of water resistance and large shock safety). All of that sits on the within of the watch, providing a high quality consumer expertise, whereas the enticing and nostalgic case form and unfavourable (darkish) LCD display screen add to the hip aged look of the case and bracelet. This isn’t the Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000 watch for everybody, however as a novel and trendy taste, the pre-aged G-Shock GMW-B5000V-1 is a strong selection. Value is $1,000 USD. See extra on the Casio G-Shock web site right here.
