Another new Carbon Core Guard model for 2019, the GST-B200 series offers a fresh update to the G-Shock G-STEEL line.
Along with the use of the newly designed carbon fiber reinforced case that provides a more compact style, another major difference from the previous generation G-STEEL GST-B100 is that the GST-B200 has an analog-digital display instead of a fully analog one. Major features include Tough Solar power and Bluetooth mobile link. As seen with the GA-2000, the use of the Carbon Core Guard case allows the GST-B200 to have a sleeker and more streamlined look than previous G-STEEL models.
The GST-B200 line will launch with three models. The GST-B200-1A has a silver body and bezel with a black resin band. The GST-B200B-1A has a black IP body and bezel with a black resin band. The GST-B200D-1A has a silver body and bezel with a stainless steel band.
According to Gshock.com, the overall diameter has been decreased by 2.6 mm compared to previous G-STEEL models while the dial has been increased by 2.8 mm. Also, the digital sub-display is an STN LCD display.
The G-STEEL GST-B200 series will be released in May 2019 in Japan with the GST-B200-1AJF (MSRP ¥48,600 JPY), GST-B200B-1AJF (MSRP ¥54,000 JPY), and GST-B200D-1AJF (MSRP ¥54,000 JPY). The GST-B200-1A, GST-B200B-1A, and GST-B200D-1A are also being released in other Asian countries and are expected to be released worldwide.
Update: The Casio International website added the GST-B200 models and full specifications in its G-STEEL section.
Update 2: Casio America announced the GSTB200D-1A (list price $350 USD) with the stainless steel band and the silver GSTB200-1A (list price ($280 USD) with the black polyurethane band for June 2019.
The full features include shock resistance, 200-meter water resistance, Tough Solar power, Bluetooth mobile link, Neobrite luminous hands, mineral glass, world time (39 cities + UTC, DST on/off, auto DST switching), 1/1000 second stopwatch (for first 60 minutes, 1/10 second after 60 minutes, 23:59’59”9 max, with elapsed and split time), 1/10 second countdown timer (24 hours max, setting range: 1 second to 24 hours with 1-second increments, 1-minute increments, and 1-hour increments), 5 multi-function alarms (with daily, 1 time, schedule), hourly time signal, hand shift feature, battery level indicator, full auto calendar, 12/24 hour format, button tone on/off, power saving mode, and full auto double LED light (Super Illuminator with 1.5/3 second afterglow).
The Bluetooth mobile link features for the GST-B200 include approximately 300 world time cities, alarm and timer settings, hand alignment correction, home city/world time city swapping, and the phone finder function.
The GST-B200 measures 53.3 x 49.2 x 14.5 millimeters. The models with a resin band weigh 87 grams each and the model with a stainless steel band weighs 177 grams. (For comparison, the previous generation GST-B100-1A with resin band measures 58.1 x 53.8 x 14.1 mm and weighs 101 grams, and the GST-B100D-1A with stainless steel bands weighs 185 grams.)
G-Shock G-STEEL GST-B200-1A
Silver body and bezel with black resin band.
G-Shock G-STEEL GST-B200B-1A
Black IP body and bezell with black resin band.
G-Shock G-STEEL GST-B200D-1A
Silver body and bezel with stainless steel band.
G-STEEL GST-B200 Carbon Core Guard Promo Video:
Photos via kakakumag.com
Well, at least the MT-G models still have multiband 6 :/.
Hi J
how does what this product has compare to multiband 6?
i don’t really know anything about these technologies except that my current watch has multiband 6
-G
Unrelated to this, but I have been trying to find the PRW-6600YBE-5JR for a while now. Some sites have it listed as out of stock, some as a preorder. Ebay had none listed. Has this watch been released yet? I have seen the other two 6600s in the lineup listed on ebay, but none of the khaki model. Are they ever going to make it to the us market? Do you think that casio will release a gold and leather version of the 6600? -Thank you for your time. -BOV
I see one listing on eBay right now. The model number (ending with JR) indicates it’s a limited model and I think it’s not being produced anymore so it may be hard to find at this point. No idea about a gold and leather version.
I Want one
For me, g-steel series has gone backwards with B200.
My first g-steel was S110 to with hybrid display of analog and digital. While i liked it very much, I always have been eyeing on B100 and its fully analog movement, and a touch of sophistication with jet engine/biohazard theme. And eventually I ended up purchasing B100D, which I considered the true version of g-steel because of its almost all-metal look completed with steel band.
But with B200, though still a great addition to current g-steel line-up, I personally think in terms of look, it is slightly inferior to the previous B100. The dial and complications are not as striking and well-designed as B100s, and by going back to hybrid/ana-digital display seems it wants to be placed along side mid-entry level of g-steel like my old S110.
Why the extra price for steel strap? Are the dials in the 200 and 200d exactly the same (other than the steel version does not have the G Shock logo in red which would have looked better in my opinion).
I’m guessing it costs more to manufacture a stainless steel band. Yes, dials are the same except for color variations.
I am lost between the silver body and black body (based on the rubber strap)
What do you think??
I think the silver gives it a more distinctive look, but it’s up to you!
I wasn’t sure about this watch, but I’m glad I got it for one reason specifically: The digital display can actually be read (though just barely) even by older eyes with no glasses (normally I need +3.5 diopter or better for reading glasses) and even underwater with goggles on. I’m in my early 60s, but I still spend a lot of time in the water, and this is my only digital display watch I can read without glasses.
Another odd thing about the watch that is not advertised: Unlike, say, the GSTS300, or a lot of the Edifice Bluetooth offerings, the second hand is not slaved to the digital stopwatch and timer. At first, I was disappointed by this, but then I realized it’s actually convenient, even though it’s more old-school: The analog display *just* tells the time. If you are racing to a meeting where you don’t want to even be 5 seconds late, you don’t have to wonder if you left the watch in stopwatch or timer mode.
Another plus is the lug design with respect to size. The GSTS300 is almost too big for my 6.5 inch wrist, and this watch — though larger — actually first better on my wrist. The fit and finish seems a bit better than the GSTS as well.
We’ll see how much I’m wearing it in a year or so, but after my first week with it, I’m very happy. The UI for the GSteel and Edifice lines do present some interesting engineering and display challenges, but I’m liking this for swimming and biking. Not sure I’d surf with it, because the finish might scratch– I have a beater GSTS for that which has held up well for bodyboarding, but it does accumulate hairline scratches from the sand, and I can’t really check elapsed times until I’m back on the beach with my prescription sunglasses on.