FAQ

G-Central G-Shock FAQ

(Please note that G-Central is an independent fan site and does not officially represent G-Shock or Casio.)

General G-Shock Questions:
What is the G-Shock watch?
Is the G-Shock watch waterproof?
How long has G-Shock been around and who invented it?
What makes G-Shock watches special?
Why are G-Shock watches so popular?
Do Navy SEALs and special forces use G-Shock?
Can women wear G-Shock?
Should I buy a solar G-Shock?
What is atomic timekeeping?
Can I use a G-Shock for scuba diving?
Why are some G-Shock watches so expensive?
What is the difference between model XX-XXX-XX and XX-XXX-XXJF (or XX-XXX-XXDR, XX-XXX-XXCR, XX-XXX-XXER)?

Brick and Mortar G-Shock:
Where can I buy G-Shock watches at brick and mortar stores?
Where can I buy a G-Shock in Japan?

New Releases and Buying Online:
When are new G-Shock watches released?
Why are so many online G-Shock sellers from Japan and Asia?
Why should I buy a G-Shock from Japan? Why shouldn’t I?
Do G-Shock watches from Japan and Asia display functions and menus in English?
Where can I download G-Shock instruction manuals in English?
How can I avoid buying a fake G-Shock?

G-Shock Warranty and Repair:
Will my G-Shock be under warranty if I buy it from Amazon or eBay?
Where can I get my broken G-Shock serviced and repaired?

G-Central Questions:
Does G-Central sell G-Shock watches?
What country is G-Central intended for?
Is G-Central.com affiliated with Casio?
I read about a new G-Shock on G-Central but I can’t find it for sale.
How can I contact G-Central?
How can I support G-Central?

What is G-Shock?

G-Shock is a sports watch brand that is owned and manufactured by Casio Computer Company, Ltd.

Is the G-Shock watch waterproof?

All current G-Shock watches are water-resistant to 200 meters (or 20 BAR). They are suitable for swimming, water sports, and recreational diving. (“G-Shock Mini” watches, which are sometimes still sold in Japan, are water-resistant to 100 meters.)

How long has G-Shock been around and who invented it?

The first G-Shock was introduced in 1983. It was created by a team of engineers led by Kikuo Ibe, who made it his personal mission to design an unbreakable watch. Ibe’s motto is “Never give up.”

What makes G-Shock watches special?

G-Shock watches are known for their shock resistance, 200-meter water resistance, quartz accuracy, long battery life, digital functions, and rugged styling. Also, G-Shock continues to innovate with new technological features and new models added on a regular basis.

Why are G-Shock watches so popular?

There are many reasons. One is utility, which includes durability. People with demanding jobs and an active lifestyle want a watch that won’t break under pressure, performs reliably, and doesn’t get easily banged up. They may also use common G-Shock functions like the stopwatch, countdown timer, and alarms, or more advanced functions like environmental sensors (altimeter-barometer, compass, thermometer). They may need a water-resistant watch, and G-Shock is very reliable in that area. Second is convenience. Some people may not really need such a tough watch or special functions but find features like solar charging, world time, and automatic time-syncing to be very convenient. G-Shock is designed to be a maintenance-free watch. Third is fashion. G-Shock watches are available in a variety of shapes and colors, and even the basic black models have an attractive, rugged look. Though not its original intention, G-Shock became very popular in streetwear fashion in the 1990s and 2000s. G-Shock embraced and expanded that audience by collaborating with popular streetwear brands to release limited edition watches. Individual expression and the exclusivity with limited edition releases also factor into the fashion aspect. Fourth is history. G-Shock has been around for decades and has released a huge amount of watches, making it one of the world’s most recognizable and trusted brands. Most people are aware of its reputation for toughness and reliability. For many people, it is a combination of all these factors. Because it offers such a large selection of versatile, fashionable, and high quality watches, G-Shock has a universal appeal that is not restricted by age, social status, or nationality.

Do Navy SEALs and special forces use G-Shock?

Yes, many do. There was a time when Navy SEALs were issued the G-Shock DW-6600. In the U.S., G-Shock is not an official military issue watch but many service members use it. There is evidence that military units around the world have purchased and distributed G-Shock watches to their members. G-Shock watches are commonly available to purchase at PX stores on military bases. G-Shock is also very popular with law enforcement and emergency rescue personnel.

Can women wear G-Shock watches?

Yes, smaller G-Shock watches like the DW-5600 will fit women’s wrists, and women can even wear the larger models if they want to. Those with smaller wrists should look into the G-Shock S Series and G-Shock’s sister brand Baby-G.

Should I buy a solar G-Shock?

If the idea of possibly going over 10 years without having to change the rechargeable battery appeals to you, then yes, you should buy a G-Shock with the Tough Solar feature.

What is atomic timekeeping?

“Atomic timekeeping” when referring to G-Shock watches means the inclusion of the Multi-Band 6 automatic time adjustment feature. The somewhat misleading term (when applied to watches and G-Shocks) is used because atomic clocks (see link for the technical explanation of “atomic,” it does not mean “nuclear”) are used as a standard for the time distribution transmitters that broadcast the Multi-Band 6 radio signals. With Multi-Band 6, the watch automatically syncs itself daily through the reception of these radio signals that are broadcast by six stations worldwide. Basically, it is syncing the atomic clock time via radio transmission. This allows the watch to be as accurate as possible on a daily basis, assuming one is within range of a transmitter. (Not all countries and cities are within range.) The Multi-Band 6 feature is also referred to as “Wave Ceptor” and “Radio-Controlled,” and, as the Multi-Band 6 feature is usually paired with the Tough Solar feature, “Solar Radio.”

Can I use a G-Shock for scuba diving?

Yes, although Casio’s official water resistance chart might suggest otherwise, G-Shock watches can handle recreational scuba diving. Many people scuba dive with them, and you shouldn’t have any problems unless you are diving extremely deep. Casio says not to press the buttons on watches underwater, except for “Diver’s Watch 200M” models like the Frogman line. If you are going to dive to extreme depths regularly or just want the best rated water resistance on a G-Shock, then you should consider the Frogman series, which is the only G-Shock line that is ISO Diver certified for 200 meters, with buttons that are tested to work underwater. G-Shock tests new models with a machine that simulates water pressure at a 200-meter depth. Casio has also produced videos of real world 200-meter depth tests with the affordable DW-5600 and the high-end MRG-G1000.

Why are some G-Shock watches so expensive now?

G-Shock has been expanding its audience and market with more expensive timepieces, several of which are considered luxury models that cost around $1,000 or more. Several factors contribute to the higher prices of these high-end G-Shock watches: the use of premium materials, the inclusion of advanced features that require more engineering and electronics, more complex designs, a more advanced and labor-intensive manufacturing processes, production in Japan (versus the mass-produced models made in Thailand and China), and smaller production runs at Yamagata Casio’s Premium Production Line.

What is the difference between model XX-XXX-XX and XX-XXX-XXJF (or XX-XXX-XXCR, XX-XXX-XXDR, XX-XXX-XXER)?

Assuming all the characters before the last two extended ones in the example are the same, it is the exact same watch with the same features, and those last two characters refer to the market that the watch is meant to be sold in. “JF” stands for Japan. “JR” is (usually) for limited releases in Japan. “CR” and “DR” are for export outside Japan. “ER” is for Europe. While the watch itself is the same, it may come with different packaging and an instruction booklet in a different language, depending on where it is sold.

Where can I buy G-Shock watches at brick and mortar stores?

See locator.casio.com.

Where can I buy a G-Shock in Japan?

G-Shock watches are easy to find in Japan at many stores. We recommend any BIC Camera store, which offers prices below the MSRP. The official G-Shock store in Tokyo is G-Shock Store Odaiba at 1-7-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 135-0091.

When are new G-Shock watches released?

New G-Shock watches are released on a monthly basis. Casio usually announces new G-Shock models at the start of every month in Japan. These are usually unique color variations of existing models or special limited editions and collaboration models. There are also some completely new G-Shock models introduced throughout the year, and these all-new models seem to be increasing at a faster rate lately. Japan is usually the first country to announce and distribute the new releases to retailers, followed by other Asian countries a few weeks later, and then the U.S., Europe, and other areas, around a month after the Japan release. However, recently we have begun to see other countries releasing some new models at the same time as Japan, and even before Japan in some cases. In our articles, we mainly focus on Japan, Asia, and the U.S., and sometimes the U.K. and Europe. New releases for the Asia region are also usually released in the Middle East and Africa, as well as Oceania (including Australia and New Zealand). However, there may be some differences between regions, and some releases may only be released in certain countries. We recommend following your country’s official G-Shock site for additional release information.

Why are there so many online G-Shock sellers from Japan and Asia?

Because of the way new G-Shock releases are rolled out in Japan and Asia first, there are many Asian sellers that cater to western buyers on sites like Amazon and eBay. For those in the U.S., we suggest waiting for the North American releases for better prices and the possibility of buying from an authorized seller (and we regularly update our Amazon and eBay links to North American sellers when possible), but there are some models that are exclusive to Japan or Asia.

Why should I buy a G-Shock from Japan? Why shouldn’t I?

Reasons why you should buy a G-Shock from Japan: 1. You can get the newest models earlier. 2. Some models are not released outside of Japan, or outside of Asia, and it may be the only way to get them. Reasons why you shouldn’t buy a G-Shock from Japan: 1. Watches bought from Japan will probably not include a Casio warranty in your home country, so if the watch malfunctions outside of your return window, you will be responsible for paying for repairs. For this reason, we suggest buying the more expensive G-Shock models from authorized sellers in your home country (though it might be possible to buy an extended third-party warranty on Amazon and eBay if you are in the U.S.). 2. If the watch is due for a wider release, it may end up being available for cheaper in the U.S. or your home country later. 3. If a limited edition collaboration model is being released worldwide, it is usually cheaper to buy it in your home country.

Do G-Shock watches from Japan and Asia display functions and menus in English?

Yes, all G-Shock watches have English displays, including the models sold in Japan.

Where can I download G-Shock instruction manuals in English?

English G-Shock instruction manuals are available from Casio here. We have also compiled a list by model code here.

How can I avoid buying a fake G-Shock?

Do a lot of research before making a purchase and familiarize yourself with all the G-Shock models that you are interested in. If you know what the real model looks like, a fake G-Shock is usually easy to spot, but there are now a lot of higher-quality fakes that may require closer examination. They may look real from afar, but they will look somewhat off, with the lettering and logos, LCD display, case back, and other components looking bad and cheaply made in comparison to a real G-Shock. Stick to trusted and highly rated sellers, and buy from sources that have a good return policy. Beware of prices that look too good to be true. If you receive a fake watch, be sure to demand a return and refund, and report the seller to the platform you bought it on. In particular, beware of older DW-6900 A Bathing Ape collaborations, DW-5600 models like the DW-5600BB-1, the GA-2100 series, and unauthorized GA-110 and DW-6900 collaboration watches, which may use real G-Shock watches that are modified. (Update: Fakes are now rampant on shopping apps in Asia, such as Lazada and Shopee. The official Casio shops can be found on these apps, but there are also many sellers offering fakes of popular G-Shock models. The fakes are usually obvious from the extremely low prices, but we urge you to use extreme caution when buying from unfamiliar sellers on these apps.)

Will a G-Shock be under warranty if I buy it from Amazon or eBay?

Casio G-Shock watches come with a warranty card that is meant to be stamped by an authorized Casio dealer for the 1-year warranty. This card is often not stamped at all, but this is not a problem if the watch was sold by an authorized Casio reseller and you have a receipt that identifies the seller. Watches that are sold directly by Amazon.com (and not a third-party seller) include a 1-year Casio warranty. If it is an unknown third-party seller on Amazon, you should assume there is no Casio warranty included, but there may be some exceptions (see “Amazon Sellers who are Authorized Casio G-Shock Dealers“). Two sellers on Amazon who are well-known authorized Casio resellers are Altivo Timepieces and AZFINETIME.

Support staff at Casio America told us that new watches purchased on eBay from an authorized resellers are covered by a Casio warranty. Note that this applies to watches purchased from American sellers by customers residing in America, and that exported and imported watches may not be covered.

Where can I get my broken G-Shock serviced and repaired?

For North America, visit Casio’s service page here for information on contacting an authorized Casio service center. For other countries, visit world.casio.com.

Does G-Central sell G-Shock watches?

No, G-Central is just a news site and fan blog and does not sell any G-Shock watches or parts. G-Central curates a collection of G-Shock watches available on Amazon at amazon.com/shop/gcentralhq (affiliate link), but G-Central is not the seller of these watches.

What country is G-Central intended for?

G-Central reports on G-Shock news and releases from around the world and is aimed at an international audience. The site can be automatically translated into different languages with the Google Chrome web browser. For monthly new releases, we mainly focus on Japan, the Asia region, and the United States. We are aware that many of our readers are in other countries, and we also cover regional news that would be of interest to them. Since it is impractical for us to report detailed information (such as dates, prices, and availability) for every country where G-Shock is sold, we suggest following your country’s official G-Shock site for additional information on new releases. G-Central is meant to be a supplement to the official G-Shock websites and is not meant to be a replacement for them.

Is G-Central.com affiliated with Casio or G-Shock?

No, G-Central is independently owned and operated and is not an official representative of Casio, G-Shock, or any of its subsidiaries. G-Central does not have a business relationship with Casio or G-Shock and cannot contact them for you.

I read about a new G-Shock on G-Central, but I can’t find it for sale anywhere.

When new models are first announced, they are usually not available until a few weeks later (and sometimes longer if it is an early announcement). Please bookmark the page and check back later, as we are constantly updating previous posts with new information and active shopping links. Watches that are available from North American retailers with updated shopping links are added to the Featured category, but sometimes significant Japan-only releases that are available on eBay will also be in this category.

Also, it is possible that you read an older article, and the watch is no longer available. Many of the special color series are produced only for a limited time and then discontinued.

How can I contact G-Central?

Our email address is [email protected]

How can I support G-Central?

Please see How to Support G-Central.

Thank you for reading our FAQ. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.

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