Casio G-Shock GWR-B1000 Review & Complete Guide
There are watches and then there are watches. Today, there are countless watches of different brands, designs, and for different purposes. Some are built as elegant dress watches, others are meant to be tools that are truly helpful for the wearer.
The G-Shock is and always will be built as a tool first, and an accessory second.
The Casio G-Shock has become loved and appreciated for its durable and sporty design which handles virtually any harsh condition you may subject it to. This is what makes them so popular as they are, in particular, worn by people who need them to perform when necessary. This means being able to withstand shocks, bangs, extreme temperatures, mud, water, and everything in between.
Luckily, that’s exactly what the G-Shocks have proven to be able to do. The G-Shocks are built to last and have proven to be able to handle and perform in harsh conditions. Furthermore, they are also packed with functions that can come in handy when using them in the field. The functions vary
Because of G-Shock’s great success and popularity over the years, Casio has continued to release new versions and iterations so that anyone can find a watch that suits their taste and needs.
One of those watches is the Casio G-Shock GWR-B1000, and this is the watch we are reviewing in this article.
First things first, the Casio G-Shock GWR-B1000 is available in a few different iterations, namely color variations. At their core, they are still identical, but their design differences can be noticed at the end of their reference number, for example, GWR-B1000-1A1ER, GWR-B1000-1A1, and GWR-B1000X-1A.
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When thinking about the G-Shock, most people probably think about a black resin case with a bulky design, presented on a black resin strap, and whilst this is the iconic G-Shock design, Casio has, over the years, developed new iterations and variations that are a bit different from the classic design. All of those, however, stay true to the original ethos and concept of the G-Shock which is to be tough, robust, and packed with functions. So although the GWR-B1000 is a bit different in design, it is still very much a G-Shock in its soul.
In addition, its unique design is rather refreshing. In particular, if you are looking for a watch that offers exactly what you expect from a G-Shock, but with a different design. This model is known as the “Gravitymaster” as it is developed for pilots and other people working with aviation, and therefore has functions to reflect that.
Casio G-Shock GWR-B1000 case
Starting off with the case, the Casio G-Shock GWR-B1000 has a design that reminds of a classic mechanical watch, only it is not. With that said, it becomes a bit more versatile than the large and clunky G-Shocks we are used to.
The watch is presented with a carbon fiber bezel which is made from 52 layers. Beneath the bezel is a monocoque case. The monocoque case allows the watch to be more resistant to shocks, and whilst Casio has paid more attention to form here, they will never abandon the concept of function and performance when it comes to the G-Shock.
The benefit of carbon fiber is of course that it is extremely strong but at the same time very light. Furthermore, carbon fiber does not rust, either.
The watch has a diameter of 50.1mm, a lug-to-lug of 46.4mm, and a thickness of 16.9mm. With that said, it is by no means a small watch. In fact, it will have a great presence on the wrist and is most suitable for men with larger wrists who enjoy the feeling of being able to feel their watch on the wrist. But at the same time, its lightweight of 72 grams makes it slightly more discreet on the wrist.
In addition, its design also contributes to making it a bit more sleek thanks to the lug design which extends discreetly from the case.
On top of the bezel, Casio uses four screws. These screws look great and contribute a lot to the overall design of the watch. On the sides of the case, we have a total of 4 crowns/buttons. The regular crown is positioned at 3 o’clock, and on each side of it, we have push buttons. On the left side of the case at 8 o’clock, there is an additional button. The pushbuttons have protection, and the crown has a so-called “Smart Access”, technology, meaning it is screw-down.
Of course, this watch has a great water resistance of 200m/660 feet. On top of the case is a sapphire crystal which is a great thing seeing that many G-Shocks use plexiglass.
Casio G-Shock GWR-B1000 functions & dial
The watch is presented with an analog dial and not a digital screen like many of the other G-shocks. This is a nice feature because it makes the watch more of a traditional watch rather than a full-on tool.
This watch is a quartz watch, meaning it is powered by batteries. But Casio has incorporated its solar technology, meaning the batteries are charged via ambient and solar light, so replacing the battery is something that you technically won’t have to think about, so this is a nice bonus. The solar panels can be found on the dial, but are so discreetly executed that if you are not aware of their existence, you wouldn’t be able to tell.
The actual dial of the watch is sporty, offers great analog legibility, and has lots of interesting details.
First off, the hands are large and painted white with luminous material applied to them. The hour markers are raised and extend to the very edge of the dial. The dial also has different layers which provide more depth and makes it more interesting and appealing to look at.
For additional legibility, Casio has also equipped this watch with a backlight button which is activated using the button located under the 6 o’clock mark.
To make setting the different functions of the watch easier, Casio has made it possible to connect it to your phone using their app which is a really great idea. Simply download the G-Shock Connected app and you have detailed information about each of the different functions and how to operate them,
At 6 o’clock, we find an additional sub-dial, and this is used to display the time in a different time zone. This watch allows you to set this sub-dial to be your local time and the regular watch to display the second time zone. This is done by holding the upper right button for 3 seconds. Do it again and it goes back to normal. This button can also start a stopwatch with a quick double push.
The bottom right button synchronizes radio frequencies with a quick press, and if you hold it, the watch will correct the time according to the atomic clock on your phone. If you hold the button for 5 seconds, it will help you search for your phone by activating a sound on your phone.
The watch is also equipped with a timer where the main second-hand counts the seconds of the timer. The additional window displays hours and minutes.
It alohas a flight log that is accessed by pressing and holding the lower right button for 0.5 seconds. By doing so, information about your location is sent to the application. This gives you your exact GPS location, which is interesting considering that the watch itself does not have a GPS function. This of course means you need to have GPS activated on your phone. For some people, this function can be truly useful by keeping track of a log.
For your convenience, it also has an alarm clock and timer.
Strap
The watch is presented with a stylish black carbon fiber/resin strap. To remove the strap, you use a hexagon screwdriver. The strap is just as sporty and durable as the watch itself.
Specifications
- Total weight: 60 grams
- Thickness: 15.5mm
- Diameter: 51.4mm
- Lug to lug: 46.8
- Crystal: Mineral glass
- Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
- Strap: Resin
- Case: carbon fiber
- Accuracy: +-15 seconds/month
- Functions: 1/100th second Stopwatch, countdown timer, 5 alarms and 1 with snooze, hour, minutes, seconds, date, day, backlit illumination function, 24-hour countdown, auto calendar to 2099, 29 time zones, 48 cities.
- Diameter:50.1mm
- Lug to lug: 46.4mm
- Thickness: 16.9mm
Conclusion
The GWR-B1000 is a modern and refreshing take on the classic G-Shock watch. It offers everything we have come to love about the G-Shock such as functionality, robustness, durability, and performance, but it is presented in modern packaging with stylish design elements. The watch is also fully analog. These things come together to create a very appealing watch that works on more occasions than when you are out in the field and performing harsh and demanding tasks.
This is a watch that combines the best of both worlds and which will provide uncompromising quality and long-lasting durability.
The Casio G-Shock GWR-B1000 Review is available to order on Amazon.
