Casio’s Making a G-Shock Smartwatch, And It is Going To Be Powerful

Ryusuke Moriai, Casio’s Head of Watch Design, with the GMW-B5000V G-Shock watch. Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

A Casio G-Shock smartwatch is in growth.

That’s based on Casio’s head of watch design, Ryusuke Moriai, who instructed Digital Developments in an interview. The watch is just not but prepared for launch, and particulars are nonetheless strictly confidential, however we do know that when it’s launched, the G-Shock smartwatch will meet the strict toughness requirements important to any timepiece bearing the G-Shock identify.

Work on the smartwatch comes on the similar time design and supplies used within the G-Shock vary are additionally altering, however the rules that make a G-Shock a G-Shock watch — supreme toughness — are nonetheless on the coronary heart of all that Casio does, together with the exacting consideration to element that draws so many to the model.

Smartwatch growth

Casio already makes smartwatches and related conventional watches, they usually characterize a number of the greatest examples of each accessible at this time. To date, G-Shock watches have solely featured primary Bluetooth connectivity. However because the Professional Trek smartwatch and Casio’s Linked app show, the corporate is aware of what it’s doing within the related area.

I requested Moriai if a G-Shock smartwatch was coming:

“Sure, we have now began to develop a smartwatch,” he replied in his native Japanese language, which was translated for me. “I’m attempting my greatest to make one thing actually distinctive.”

When pushed for particulars, Moriai mentioned this was all he might say on the mission, and wouldn’t affirm if the watch would have a touchscreen. However seeing as there are already non-touchscreen related G-Shocks, it’s secure to presume he’s engaged on a touchscreen mannequin.

However will or not it’s an actual G-Shock if it does have a touchscreen? He continued to speak concerning the important components a G-Shock watch, together with a smartwatch, should have:

“There are three actually essential factors for a G-Shock: Shock resistance, waterproof, and longer battery life,” he mentioned. “It doesn’t must be Powerful Photo voltaic [the solar power system used on many existing G-Shock watches], however we’re taking a look at longer battery life than different manufacturers. We aren’t simply going to launch something with one of many capabilities, as a result of we don’t need it to vanish from the market.”

Casio’s Professional Trek WSD-F30 smartwatch successfully makes use of two screens for lengthy battery life — as much as a month in low-power mode — so we will speculate a model of this may occasionally even be used on the G-Shock smartwatch too. Concerning the water resistance, Moriai desires the G-Shock smartwatch to have the ability to deal with a depth of 200 meters — he referred to as this a “G-Shock rule.” For reference, most smartwatches at this time can stand up to 50 meters. The necessities to fulfill such a standards are very completely different, and an enormous technical problem for G-Shock.

Consideration to element

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

Moriai has been driving the design route of G-Shock watches since 2010, however has labored on G-Shock watches for the reason that model launched in 1983. He penned the unique Casio F-91W, and can also be liable for many G-Shock fashions together with the GA-100, and the enduring Frogman diver’s watch. He was in London to have fun the second anniversary of the G-Shock retailer on Carnaby Avenue, and to point out a brand new restricted version G-Shock — the GMW-B5000V.

A brand new Full Metallic 5000 Sequence watch, the V stands for Classic and refers back to the particular ion-plating (IP) coating that has been artificially aged, giving the physique a fantastic patina that’s half steampunk, and half homage to the longevity of this basic watch design. To realize the aged look, every particular person part is put in a barrel sharpening machine — which seems to be like a washer for watch elements — containing specially-made abrasive particles that give the initially gray IP elements their new, distinctive grain, end, and coloration.

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

Exploded view of the G-Shock GMW-B5000V watch. Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

The method isn’t an actual science and the end can grow to be too shiny, which isn’t the impact that’s desired. Casio is compelled to discard these elements and solely chooses the very best elements to construct the ultimate watch. It’s a strictly restricted version, and though a complete quantity has not been revealed, there are solely 300 made for the U.Okay.. It’s not simply the IP coating that makes it particular: Moriai identified the adverse show and the black buttons as two of his different favourite features.

The GMW-B5000V has Bluetooth connectivity and can hook up with Casio’s Linked app — the place a number of time zones and alarms may be set utilizing your telephone — plus it has Powerful Photo voltaic for energy, and makes use of Multi-band 6 radio waves for correct world time-keeping.

The time is true for a smartwatch

Casio’s G-Shock Gravitymaster watch. Andy Boxall/Digital Developments

Casio understands the watch business should evolve if it desires to outlive, and new supplies and manufacturing strategies are serving to it change the G-Shock vary, so it appeals to extra individuals. The brand new Gravitymaster, Mudmaster, and fashion-based GA-2000 fashions are all made utilizing carbon fiber, with the Gravitymaster utilizing a full carbon monocoque design. The slimmer, lighter building makes them attraction to extra individuals.

“We wish to make extra fashions which are appropriate for way of life and style,” Moriai mentioned.

Is that this a shift away from the acquainted powerful seems to be, and even the powerful building? Completely not — it’s a push in a brand new route, enabled by evolving expertise. The carbon monocoque Gravitymaster G-Shock watch represents the primary time Casio has not used a resin shock-resistant physique in its 35-year lifetime. Known as Carbon Core Guard, it does away with button guards and tank-like shapes, but nonetheless presents the identical required diploma of toughness. Developments in building imply the designs can even change, so is that this the top of the enduring powerful G-Shock look?

“Each of the kinds are crucial,” he mentioned. “We aren’t going to discontinue the enduring cumbersome G-Shock fashion. There may be now a slimmer fashion that can appeal to extra G-Shock followers.”

Mix a modern new carbon fiber monocoque design with Casio’s Linked app, its spectacular dual-screen expertise on the Professional Trek WSD-F30 smartwatch, total consideration to element, and promise to make a smartwatch that adheres to the G-Shock rules, and it’s clear all the things is coming collectively so it may well construct an thrilling, real G-Shock smartwatch.

On the time of writing there is no such thing as a launch date for the G-Shock related watch, and Moriai mentioned engineers and designers are at the moment deep in dialogue concerning the watch and its options itself. When the prospect is that this tantalizing, I’m ready to attend. If you’d like the brand new GMW-B5000V, it’s yours for $1,000, or 900 British kilos, by way of G Shock’s on-line and retail shops. Simply don’t wait too lengthy, as numbers are restricted.