In this article, we are diving into the world of G-SHOCK as we uncover the toughest watch materials, features and best use cases for these resilient timepieces. From wised adventures to everyday challenges, durability is key, and we'll explore the engineering marvels behind the toughest watch on the planet.
Importance of toughness and durability in watches
Over the years, we've conducted numerous toughness tests, pushing the limits of durability and resilience in our G-SHOCK watches.
The G-Shock DW-5600 holds the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® TITLE for the heaviest vehicle driven over a watch. As a requirement, the watch had to endure and work properly even after it was run over by a minimum of 20 metric tonnes truck. And our G-SHOCK DW-5600E-1 succeeded the record attempt by 24.97 tonnes truck.
Watch here
We’ve put the GM-B2100 through its paces, with its full-metal construction, streamlined
design, and impressive durability, surviving drops from 10 meters and withstanding water pressure up to 200 meters.
Watch here
G-SHOCK in space! We sent the GPW-2000 GRAVITYMASTER on a record-breaking galactic mission into the unknown, launching from Yorkshire and propelled into zero gravity with a NASA-approved flight balloon.
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Despite this one off test G-SHOCK has actually been worn as standard equipment by NASA astronauts for decades – See the below link to NASA’s museum:
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/wristwatch-casio-g-shock-
shuttle/nasm_A20130073000
G-SHOCK has also collaborated with NASA on several occasions, making public versions of it’s timepieces that were worn by astronauts in space.
NASA "pumpkin" suits, from left to right: Launch Entry Suit (LES), used from 1988 to 1994; Advanced Crew Escape Suit (ACES), used from 1994 to 2011; and new Orion Crew Survival Suit (OCSS). (Image credit:NASA/collectSPACE.com)
Overview of watch materials
- Stainless Steel: Sleek and polished, but infamously hard-wearing, stainless steel provides a protective and reliable casing, with a timeless sleek finish. Its versatility makes it a popular choice in both entry-level and luxury watches, offering durability and style across various preferences and budgets.
- Titanium: Titanium, known for its extreme strength yet lightweight nature, offers asuperior strength-to-density ratio compared to stainless steel. Hypoallergenic and durable, it offers comfort and resilience. Famously hard to work with Titanium brings many challenges in manufacture requiring specialist machinery, tools and skills to create intricate components found in a timepiece. Titanium can be found in our premium collection of watches such as MTG, MR-G.
- COBARION®: The beautiful platinum like COBARION® is a super-hard alloy developed in Japan has a hardness that exceeds that of the stainless steel. Boasting a hardness four times more than pure titanium, COBARION is a scratch-resistant material with a long-enduring, dignified gleam. This is why the MRG-B5000 series, for example, uses this material for the bezel — the watch component with the greatest visibility and susceptibility to scratching.
- Shock resistance: Shock-resistant construction protects against impact and vibrations. This patented technology has been present in every G-SHOCK model for over 40 years.
- Water resistance: All G-SHOCK watches are water resistant up to 200 meters (660 feet), which means they are suitable for swimming, non-professional diving, showering, or swimming in the sea without any worries.
- Material strength: It’s essential to withstand challenging conditions. With titanium, stainless steel, and cobarion, watches are built to withstand daily wear and the harshest environments.
- The Mudmaster GWG-B1000 remains the best watch for adventures offering unmatched environmental
resistance.
o Newly developed guard structure
o Diamond carbon finished multi-component structure
o Stainless Steel
o Sapphire Crystal
o Mud resistant
o Shock resistant
o Water resistant
o Vibration resistant
o Price: from £699
The Master of G FROGMAN, the ultimate diving watch. It’s the most water-resistant
timepiece in the G-Shock line-up.
o Dura soft fluro rubber band
o Titanium
o Screw lock back
o Sapphire Crystal glass
o ISO 200m water resistant
o Magnetic resistance
o Shock resistant
o Vibration resistant
o Price: from £4,500
- Our GA-2100 or GM-2100 watches are the ideal companions for any daily activity.
o Carbon Fiber
o Resin
o Mineral glass
o Shock resistant
o Water resistant
o Scratch resistant
o Price: from £99
Choose the right watch for you
When it comes to choosing the right watch, G-shock has the perfect timepiece to suit your needs.
For professionals, our G-STEEL series combines metal and resin to create a collection of tough and fashionable timepieces.
Meanwhile, outdoors enthusiasts will find our Mudmaster GWG-B1000 to be the best
option. It is rugged, reliable, and packed with functionality to survive in extreme
environments.
For everyday wear or a more styled look, more affordable models like the GA-2100 or GM-2100 strike a perfect balance between style and functionality, ensuring that you're always prepared for any eventuality while looking your best.
G-SHOCK being a quintessential Japanese family own brand takes it’s heritage & history very seriously, as such a premium luxury line of watches within our MR-G range are available.
Expertly hand-assembled and finished in Yamagata Japan, MR-G offers a luxurious value
proposition utilising the skilled craftsmanship Japan is synonymous with. Collaborating with skilled samurai sword craftsmen and inspired Japanese artisans, MR-G is a state of the art luxury timepiece collection whose strength, craftsmanship & prestige ensure it’s as unique as the person wearing it.
There really is a G-SHOCK for every version of you. Why not bookmark this article next time you want to read up on the materials found in a G-SHOCK you may have your eye on?
