What’s going on with the G-Shock 6900 series?

The G-Shock 6900 series, once a streetwear staple commonly seen on the wrists of celebrities in the 2000s (gq.com), appears to be on the decline when it comes to new releases. Until recently, the DW-6900 was often included in new color series along with other models.

The 6900 series is essentially the DW-6900, but it includes other models like the extra-large GD-X6900 and the enhanced GW-6900 with Tough Solar and Multi-Band 6. The DW-6900 made its debut in 1995, evolving from the round case of the military-favorite DW-6600 (the first G-Shock with an EL backlight and front-facing light button) and adding the “Triple Graph” style of the DW-5900. As of 2019, the DW-6900 was G-Shock’s top-selling base model of all time in Japan and the third best-selling model worldwide. As one of the “four masterpieces of G-Shock” according to Casio, we don’t expect it to ever be discontinued.

Limited edition DW-6900 watches still sell very well, like the recent John Mayer and Kid Cudi collaborations that sold out nearly instantly, and the GW6900-1 is still a popular model in the U.S. Casio introduced the metal-covered GM-6900 series with a stainless steel bezel in 2020 for the 25th anniversary of the DW-6900, and these models are still available.

It appears that the GD-X6900 series is no more, as the GD-X6900-1JF and GD-X6900-7JF, previously the only remaining active models, are now in “End of Production” (i.e. discontinued) status, according to G-Shock Japan. (The GDX6900-1 was available in the U.S. as recently as 2020.) The GD-X6900 was known for its extra-large size with Alpha Gel protection and its 10-year battery life. The GD-X6900 was the base for one of the biggest collaborations ever, the GD-X6900MNM-1 with rapper Eminem for the G-Shock 35th Anniversary in 2013. The last new GD-X6900 model was the GD-X6900FTR-1 collaboration with graffiti artist Futura in 2016.

G-Shock GD-X6900 discontinued according to G-Shock Japan. (Translated by Google Chrome)

Only two DW-6900 models were released in 2022 so far, the DW-6900PYU21-8 and DW-6900AL22-1, and they were limited to Southeast Asia. Mainstay models like the DW-6900-1VH (DW6900-1V in U.S.), DW-6900BB-1, and GW-6900-1 are expected to continue, and some previous special color models are still available in certain countries.

Judging by its exclusion from recent color series, it appears that the DW-6900 will be reserved mainly for limited edition collaborations going forward. The preference for analog displays and the overwhelming popularity of the GA-2100 series probably have something to do with this, and the current market conditions may not support the introduction of many new models from two classic digital lines (with the 5000-5600 series being the main one). This is not necessarily bad, as scarcity is likely to drive demand for the few that are released and make them all the more special. We aren’t ruling out the possibility of seeing new 6900 models later this year, and there are bound to be some for the upcoming G-Shock 40th Anniversary.

These popular 6900 models are still available.