The 5 Best G-Shocks (2025)

A Brief History of G-Shock Watches

But before we dive into the current “G-Shocks,” how about a little context in the form of a trip down memory lane? G-Shocks are one of those watches whose story could fill more than one book. Or rather, has filled one—no “could” needed. I actually have that book on my bookshelf.

It all started when Casio engineer Kikuo Ibe dropped his classic analog watch on the floor. And, of course, it broke. For an ordinary person, it was just bad luck. For Kikuo Ibe? It was the spark he needed! Ibe then decided to design and manufacture a watch that could survive such a fall. And Casio liked this slightly crazy idea.

This was followed by a huge number of tests and prototypes (see, for example, the sphere in the photo above). It is reported that the number of prototypes exceeded 200. What did these tests involve? For example, Ibe would drop his prototypes out of the third-floor bathroom window—a height of 10 meters. He would then analyze which components survived and which ones needed to be replaced or improved.

Unfortunately, his team (nicknamed “Team Tough”) struggled for a long time to figure out how to outsmart gravity. It seems that inspiration struck at literally the last minute when they saw children playing with a bouncing ball.

“What if we put the watch inside a kind of bouncy ball that would absorb even the hardest impacts?” The watch case would therefore be hollow, and the watch module (movement, display, etc.) would be hidden inside the case and encased in soft material. And just like that, G-Shocks were born…

The first model, introduced in 1983, was called the Casio G-Shock DW-5000C and featured a black, angular case that has since become iconic.

1. Casio G-Shock DW-5000R-1AER (“Revival”)

We’ll now move seamlessly from that history to the G-Shock Revival DW-5000R-1AER model. This is, in fact, a modern reimagining of those very first G-Shocks we mentioned earlier.

These are the kind of watches that, at first glance, don’t stand out in the slightest. From a distance, they look exactly like the classic DW-5600RL-1ER (or the slightly smarter GW-M5610U-1ER). So why are they almost twice as expensive?

No, the higher price isn’t just due to the cute brick pattern surrounding the digital display or the smooth bezel. The higher price is primarily due to the fact that these watches have a steel core (just like the original) and were manufactured at the Yamagata factory in Japan—the very same one where the original G-Shocks were made.

So is it any different from the original at all? Yes, in many ways. For example, while the outer case is made of resin, this time it’s bio-based (and the same goes for the strap). And while the original case measured 41.6 mm, the redesigned version has grown slightly to 42.3 mm.

Despite the differences I mentioned, I can say that the spirit of the original has been preserved. And that’s why you’ll often see this watch on my wrist…

Specifications

• Case dimensions: 42.3 x 48.9 mm
• Height: 13.1 mm
• Weight: 76 g
• Case material: steel (inner) and resin (outer)
• Glass: mineral
• Water resistance: 20 ATM
• Movement: 3576
• Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
• Battery life: up to 5 years

2. Casio G-Shock GW-9500-1A4ER Mudman

You’re not all that interested in history—you’re simply looking for the toughest watch you can find?

Since we don’t know of any competition that would award such a title to a watch (testing would probably get pretty expensive), we’re kind of taking a shot in the dark here, but the Mudmans (specifically, for example, ref. GW-9500-1A4ER) can really withstand a lot, in my opinion. And they can do a lot, too!

Mudmans are part of the “Master of G” series—a collection of the toughest watches Casio has to offer. And what sets Mudmans (and Mudmasters) apart from other G-Shocks? No, it’s not about whether mud gets inside them—that won’t happen even with “regular” G-Shocks. Their name refers more to the fact that the watches are easy to operate even in muddy conditions. You can count on them—in every way.

And what else can this model do? It features solar power, radio control, a compass, an altimeter, a thermometer, a barometer, and, of course, the classics like a stopwatch, an alarm clock, an automatic calendar, and a low-battery warning…

To wrap things up, here’s a little personal tip: The GW-9500-1A4ER with a negative display is my favorite, but if readability is your top priority, I’d recommend the GW-9500-1ER with a classic positive display instead.

Specifications

• Case dimensions: 52.7 x 56.7 mm
• Height: 14.8 mm
• Weight: 81 g
• Case material: resin
• Glass: mineral
• Water resistance: 20 ATM
• Movement: 3553
• Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month (without signal reception)
• Power reserve: 6 months (up to 26 months in power-saving mode)

3. Casio G-Shock GA-B2100C-9AER (“CasiOak”)

In the photos, you can see the G-Shock GA-B2100 model. But these days, no one calls them anything other than “CasiOaks.” That’s because the octagonal shape of their bezel strikingly resembles the bezel of a relatively popular watch designed by the legendary Gérald Genta… We’re talking, of course, about the Royal Oak.

And no, no current list of the top G-Shocks today would be complete without the “CasiOaks” (i.e., the GA-2100). Although they were only introduced in 2019, they became a sensation practically overnight, both within the watch community and beyond. Sure, they can partly thank the shape of their bezel for that, but that’s by no means their only appeal.

Undoubtedly, the analog time display—which first appeared on G-Shock watches as early as 1989 (on the AW-500E-1E model)—also played a role in the dramatic rise in their popularity, combined with an analog day-of-the-week display and a digital date display. And we can’t forget to mention their slim case…

And why should you be interested in this particular yellow version? Because the color yellow has left an indelible mark on the history of G-Shocks. After black, it was the very first color in which Casio introduced its rugged watches back in 1987 (yes, we know black isn’t really a color so much as the absence of one, but we’re sure you get our point).

Specifications

• Case size: 45.4 mm
• Height: 11.9 mm
• Weight: 52 g
• Case material: resin
• Glass: mineral
• Water resistance: 20 ATM
• Movement: 5689
• Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
• Battery life: 7 months without exposure to light (up to 18 months in power-saving mode)

4. Casio G-Shock DW-6900HDS-7ER Hidden Glow Series

The G-Shock DW-6900 celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. My colleague Patrik wrote a great piece about it (and even discussed it in a video review) in his article “Casio G-Shock DW-6900TR-1ER Review.”

When Casio launched this round watch with its distinctive three “eyes” and massive button in 1995, they knew it was going to be a big deal. After all, it was the first G-Shock with electroluminescent backlighting. But I bet even they couldn’t have imagined at the time that it would become such a huge hit…

The DW-6900 has become a favorite not only among soldiers and divers around the world, but especially among stars in the music industry. And nothing can boost a watch’s popularity quite like this kind of “pop culture springboard.” That’s why they’ve become icons. And if you ask anyone today to picture a G-Shock, they’ll either think of the classic DW-5600 or this very DW-6900.

For our ranking, I’ve chosen a relatively new model that’s part of the Hidden Glow Series. What makes it stand out? Its blue phosphorescent dial, designed to evoke the shimmer of bioluminescent plankton floating in the sea.

Specifications

• Case dimensions: 50 x 53.2 mm
• Height: 18.7 mm
• Weight: 67 g
• Case material: resin
• Glass: mineral
• Water resistance: 20 ATM
• Movement: 3529
• Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
• Battery life: up to 5 years

5. Casio G-Shock MTG-B3000PRB-1AER Aurora Oval Limited Edition

It’s quite possible that you generally think of G-Shocks as just those cheaper plastic watches that can take a beating. And yes, you’re right about one thing—they are durable. But the G-Shock MT-G collection will quickly convince you that G-Shocks can also be beautifully and luxuriously crafted watches with a price tag that (rightfully) rivals mechanical timepieces from Switzerland. And then there’s the MR-G line—though, unfortunately, it’s extremely hard to come by in our part of the world…

Back to the MT-G! What does that acronym even mean? “Metal Twisted G-Shock.” The watch combines the resin typical of G-Shocks with the less traditional steel…

Specifically, I decided to include the limited-edition Aurora Oval. In my view, this model perfectly showcases what the MT-G series actually has to offer. Not only does it feature impeccable craftsmanship (and hand-assembly at the Yamagata factory), but also bold, avant-garde designs where every color variation is “fair play”—even combinations of absolutely every color.

You can learn more about this watch in our review, “A Watch for 36,000”: Casio MT-G Aurora Oval Limited Edition.

Specifications

• Case size: 50.9 mm
• Height: 12.1 mm
• Case material: steel (with IP coating)
• Lens: sapphire (with AR coating)
• Water resistance: 20 ATM
• Movement: 5672
• Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month (without signal reception)
• Battery life: 5 months without exposure to light (up to 18 months in power-saving mode)

Honorable Mentions, or What Didn’t Make the Cut

Why does our list include only five watches? Because if we didn’t settle on a reasonable number, it could easily balloon to, say, 20. Or 50. Or even 100…

Maybe it’s because I have a soft spot for G-Shocks and there aren’t many I wouldn’t wear on my wrist. But maybe it’s also because G-Shocks are simply solid watches that no collection should be without. For example, we recently had Martin Žufánek on our podcast, and he, too, has plenty of them in his collection. And even though he usually wears high-end timepieces like the Patek Philippe Nautilus or the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak…

But if my reasoning hasn’t convinced you, I’ll briefly mention a few more tips for great “G-series” watches. For example, I’m a big fan of the G-Lide collection designed for surfers—it features a moon phase indicator as well as tide times and levels. I’m also a big fan of Baby-G—it has an iconic silhouette and plenty of durability in a smaller, more comfortable case.

All-metal G-Shocks also have their own charm (e.g., the GM-2110D-7AER pictured here). Especially when you consider how much work it must have taken the engineers at Casio to transfer that durability and shock resistance from a resin case to steel… And finally, I can’t leave out one of the newest additions to the G-Shock lineup: the GA-V01. According to many, these are “the ugliest G-Shocks of all time.” In my opinion? A sign of courage. A boldness that Swiss watch brands, for example, seem to lack so much.

Which G-Shock models are your favorites? What would your ranking look like? Let us know in the comments below!

The complete selection of G-Shock watches at Helveti.cz