Casio G-Shock “Master of G” Buyer’s Guide

Update: G-Shock is releasing new Master of G models at a rapid pace. Please visit the following tags to see the latest articles about new Master of G watches.

Master of G: G-Shock’s professional line of watches with specialty functions
Frogman: Diving watches with ISO Diver’s 200M Water Resistance
Gravitymaster: Aviation pilot watches
Mudmaster: Mud-resistant analog-digital watches with sensors
Rangeman: Mud-resistant digital watches with sensors

This Master of G buyer’s guide covers the current models of Casio’s flagship G-Shock series of professional-grade watches. The history of the Master of G line goes back to 1985 with the introduction of the mud-resistant DW-5500C which was nicknamed the Mudman. The Frogman first appeared in 1993 as a large ISO 200M dive watch featuring an asymmetrical case design and was the first official “Man” series watch. It would see several design changes and feature some of the most iconic G-Shock cases. Casio indulged the collectors market with many limited models featuring unique color schemes, particularly with the GW-200 series, and that limited edition tradition continues with current models.

The Master of G line has always been about featuring the latest technology in G-Shock watches and that tradition continues with the current models. Master of G is also known as the “Professional Series” and consists of specialty watches that are targeted toward certain occupations and activities. Each model fits into one of three categories: land, sea, or air. Master of G watches are ruggedly stylish and have a certain prestige among G-shock enthusiasts. It should be noted that with the exception of the G-9100 Gulfman and the previous generation G-9000 Mudman, the current Master of G lineup is significantly larger and wider than standard G-Shock models like the DW-5600 or DW-6900.

G-Shock G-9300 Mudman

The G-9300 is the latest generation of the Mudman and adds Tough Solar, a digital compass, thermometer, and moon phase graph. In addition to being mud-resistant, it is also dust-resistant. The missing feature here compared to the rest of the current Master of G lineup is Multi-Band 6 radio wave time synchronization. There is also a Japanese model GW-9300-1JF (amazon) with Multi-Band 6 plus a carbon fiber insert band and keeper but it costs significantly more. The G-9300’s straightforward design, useful functions, and reasonable price make it a great watch for military use or for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors. The U.S. list price is $200.

See a list of all Mudman G-9300 releases including special editions here.

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G-Shock GW-9400 Rangeman

As the successor to the sensor-equipped GW-9200 Riseman, the GW-9400 Rangeman is an improvement in style and is one of the best-selling G-Shock watches. With its metal buttons, front-facing screws, and muscular build, the Rangeman looks like a G-Shock on steroids, but it has brains too. It’s billed by Casio as a survival watch, and its standout feature is the Triple Sensor with prsessure sensor (altimeter-barometer), compass, and thermometer. The Rangeman is known for its unique sensor button with a metal cover for protection. Each sensor has its own unique beep, so you can determine which mode you are in without looking at the watch. More specialty features include sunrise and sunset data, one touch time recording, and one touch elapsed time measurement. The Rangeman also has Tough Solar power, Multi-Band 6, and an LED backlight for illumination in the dark. In addition to its impressive technical features, the Rangeman is intended for those who expect their watch to take above average levels of impact and abuse. The Rangeman is also low temperature-resistant to 14 F (-10 C). List price is $300.

For all models including limited editions and imports, see our list of every Rangeman watch released.

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G-Shock GWN-1000 Gulfmaster

The GWN-1000 Gulfmaster is the ideal G-Shock for boaters and those who spend a lot of time on the ocean. The Gulfmaster features analog hands and an LCD display, the Triple Sensor like the Rangeman, and a tide graph and moon age data. With its large round maritime design that takes some cues from the aviation line, this watch may not look like the typical G-Shock at first glance, but rest assured it is has the usual high level of shock resistance. It also has Tough Solar power and Multi-Band 6 radio time syncing. What makes this model unique from other resin-bodied G-Shocks is that the stainless steel bezel part surrounding the glass is perfectly round and uniformly flat (though it does sit higher than the glass for protection), without any chunks of resin covering it. This gives the Gulfmaster a more traditional look than the typical G-Shock. The Gulfmaster is one of the larger G-Shock watches, but it looks a lot larger in print and wears comfortably with its soft band. The Gulfmaster’s unique analog-digital design actually comes from the Casio Pro Trek PRW-6000. They look very similar but the Pro Trek model is thinner, lacks shock protection and the tide graph, and only has 100M water resistance. The Gulfmaster has more features yet costs less than the PRW-6000, making it a great entry point into the higher-end of G-Shock watches.

The GWN-1000 Gulfmaster has a list price of $500 and is available in a variety of colors. There is also a new Gulfmaster model, the GN-1000 with a list price of $300. This battery-powered analog-digital model has a Twin Sensor (compass/thermometer) instead of the Triple Sensor and does not have Tough Solar or Multi-Band 6.

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G-Shock GWF-1000 Frogman

The current version of the beloved Frogman took on a significant design change from the previous GW-200. Its partially exposed stainless steel case is reminiscent of the early DW-8200 design, and it is significantly larger than the GW-200. Its price has also more than doubled with a list price of $700. What makes the Frogman so special? All G-Shocks are water resistant up to 200 meters but the Frogman has a screw-lock case back and is the only G-Shock with ISO 6425-compliant water resistance to 200 meters (“Diver’s 200M”). Also, the watch module is housed in a full metal stainless steel case under the resin exterior. The stainless steel bezel and case back are coated with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, providing extra resistance to scratches and corrosion. The Frogman is also made in Japan. The Frogman is one of the longest-running G-Shock series and has always been considered a premier model. Its limited edition versions are some of the most sought-after watches by G-Shock collectors. The current GWF-1000 Frogman has Tough Solar power and adds Multi-Band 6 for the first time. It also has tide and moon phase graphs and data memory for up to 10 logs.

See a list of all GWF-1000 Frogman models including special editions here

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G-Shock GWG-1000 Mudmaster

The simplest way to describe the Mudmaster is that it’s like an upgraded Rangeman in a tactical analog-digital form. It has a similar mud-resistant guarded button structure with gaskets in the cylinders and button shafts, and a screw lock crown. It also utilizes Alpha Gel at key points to add resistance to extreme vibration. It has the Triple Sensor Version 3 to measure direction bearing, temperature, altitude, and barometric pressure. Like other top-of-the-line analog G-Shock watches, it has a sapphire crystal. List price is $750. Until the GWG-1000, high-end analog G-Shock watches were aviation and luxury models. The Mudmaster is very large and tough-looking with its military-inspired styling. It is essentially the first G-Shock of its kind: the high-end tactical analog G-Shock.

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G-Shock GPR-B1000 Rangeman

The highly anticipated second-generation GPR-B1000 Rangeman was released in 2018. The uniquely large LCD display is capable of rendering graphics and maps and represents a new direction for G-Shock watches. The new Rangeman is equipped with both GPS tracking and Bluetooth smartphone connectivity. It can display the current location on a preset route or the bearing toward a destination, as well as being able to record track and point data. The GPR-B1000 is the world’s first solar-assisted GPS watch and is also chargeable with a wireless adapter featuring a micro-USB connection. Previous features like mud resistance, the Triple Sensor (altimeter-barometer, compass, thermometer), and sunrise/sunset data are still present, and a tide and moon graph is now available, and the watch is capable of syncing the time with GPS. Hardware upgrades include a carbon fiber insert band and a sapphire crystal. The GPR-B1000 much more than the GW-9400, making it the ultimate survival watch and one of the most advanced G-Shock watches.

GPRB1000-1B on Amazon GPR-B1000-1B on eBay
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G-Shock GPW-2000 Gravitymaster

The GPW-2000 Gravitymaster is the peak Gravitymaster aviation watch. It was first released in May 2017 with a surprisingly lower list price than the previous generation GPW-1000, despite having more features. Like the GPW-1000 below, the GPW-2000 has GPS hybrid timekeeping, Triple G Resist, a sapphire crystal, and a carbon fiber insert band. New features include Bluetooth smartphone link and 3-Way Sync with Multi-Band 6, GPS, or internet time servers. The GPW-2000 also has GPS positioning tracking through the G-Shock Connected smartphone app and can show latitude/longitude coordinates on its dial. Another new feature is a screwless band structure that will not come loose from vibration.

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G-Shock GWN-Q1000 Gulfmaster

The heavily upgraded GWN-Q1000 was launched in 2016 and is the first G-Shock to be equipped with a Quad Sensor which includes the altimeter-barometer, compass, thermometer, and now like the GWF-D1000 Frogman, a water depth meter for diving. Like the previous GWN-1000 Gulfmaster, this Tough Solar/Multi-Band 6 watch also has a tide graph and moon age data. Other key features include sunset/sunrise data and a carbon fiber reinforced case. List price is $850.

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G-Shock GPW-1000 Gravitymaster

The Gravitymaster name refers to several G-Shock aviation watches with the GPW-1000 representing the top of the line. The GPW-1000 is known for being the first G-Shock with GPS hybrid timekeeping. If the watch is out of range of the Multi-Band 6 radio transmitters, it can still sync the time through the reception of GPS satellite signals. It can also determine the time zone and DST setting automatically. This means the watch can sync anywhere in the world and makes it a good choice for world travelers, adventurers, and those living in remote locations. The GPW-1000 also has Triple G Resist, offering resistance to shock, g-forces, and heavy vibration. While its large analog display has the look of an aviation watch, its resin frame and resin band with carbon fiber insert makes it a rugged watch suitable for the outdoors. It also has a sapphire crystal and unlike other higher-end G-Shock aviation models, an LED light.

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G-Shock GWF-D1000 Frogman

The new GWF-D1000 Frogman was released in the summer of 2016 and features a new kind of Triple Sensor with an underwater depth meter, compass (that works underwater), and thermometer. Like the previous generation GWF-1000 it has tide and moon data, a full stainless steel inner case, and a screw-lock case back. Other new additions include a carbon fiber insert band and a sapphire crystal. The new Frogman is now one of the most expensive G-Shock watches but the new features represent the largest upgrade ever for the series and it is now one of the most technologically advanced G-Shock watches. With the release of the GWF-D1000 it is likely that the GWF-1000 may be discontinued but current stocks should maintain its availability for a while.

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Other Master of G Watches

G-Shock USA is listing many Gravitymaster aviation watches in its Master of G lineup, including the GA-1000, GA-1100, GWA-1000, and GWA-1100. To avoid redundancy we are keeping those models in our G-Shock Aviation Watches Guide.

Previous Master of G Watches

Previous Master of G models that are still available include the G-9000 Mudman (amazon) and the rust-resistant G-9100 Gulfman (amazon) with titanium metal parts. Compared to the other Master of G watches, these models are a smaller size that are more in line with the G-Shocks of the 1990s and 2000s.

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