The upcoming G-Shock GA-V01 series tends to provoke strong reactions in people, and it’s easy to see why. It’s safe to assume that Casio is not targeting most existing G-Shock fans (or people over 30) with this series, as the main priority lately seems to be expanding the customer base and attracting the younger generations, as well as countries that G-Shock is newer to, with attention-grabbing designs. Those without preconceived notions of what a G-Shock should look like may see the GA-V01 as a futuristic new style of watch that will match with trendy techwear or colorful streetwear, while older G-Shock fans may notice that many of its distinctive elements actually come from other G-Shock series, including classic and recent ones. It may be fair to say that the GA-V01 is more of a style-oriented watch for the youthful, but we can at least appreciate where it’s coming from.
Ball Prototype for Original G-Shock Testing:
The animated promotional videos (instagram.com) reference the original ball prototype that was used for shock resistance tests for the first G-Shock module, which lead to the floating module structure, also known as the hollow case structure. The special packaging case (in China) for the GA-V01 is in a ball shape that resembles the prototype, and the watch itself also resembles a ball with its spherical shape and spherical glass.
G-Shock DW-5000 and GX-56:
The four nubs on the front-side of the GA-V01 are similar to the four dimples on the bezel of the original DW-5000 and subsequent square series. The large GX-56 series also has reverse dimples.
G-Shock AW-500:
The GA-V01 has a hybrid analog-digital display and follows the lineage of the AW-500, which was the first analog-digital G-Shock series from 1989.
G-Shock GA-B001:
The GA-V01 has an integrated bezel and band structure made of two halves like the GA-B001 from 2022, which was another futuristic-looking yet more restrained series.
G-Shock GBA-900:
The fitness-oriented GBA-900 from 2021 also has two largish holes on the band for breathability. The doubled-holed band and double-tongued buckle of the GA-V01 is also similar to other G-Shock series including the GA-100/110 and many Master of G series.
G-Shock GA-700 and GA-110:
The hour markers being on the outside of the glass is perhaps what makes the GA-V01 so unusual-looking, but the shape of the hour markers are very similar to the large three-dimensional hour markers of the GA-700 from 2017. This style is also similar to the classic analog-digital GA-110 from 2010, which has been one of G-Shock’s best-selling series.
G-Shock GA-010:
The GA-V01 has an approximate 10-year battery life like the GA-010 from 2024, which was the first non-solar analog-digital model with a 10-year battery. Unlike that series which has only a single LED light, the GA-V01 has a double LED light for the dial and LCD backlight.
G-Shock GA-2100:
The GA-V01 has the same functions as the best-selling GA-2100 from 2019, but it does not have an analog day of week indicator.
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