Casio G-Shock GWG-2000-1A1DR Gray IP Black Analog-Digital Dial Black Resin Strap Men’s Watch Mud Resistant Barometer Altimeter G1175

I am a watch collector, and I indulge in G-Shocks. Before you continuing reading, beware, you might be tempted into getting this premium G-Shock – you are warned.

Since I also have the GWG-1000, I will tend to compare these watches. Don’t worry if you are not interested in the GWG-1000, it will just let you know where this lineage of Mudmaster is headed in the future…

Images: When there are two watches in the image, the left is GWG-1000, right is GWG-2000. Note: GWG-1000 in the images sports the Maharishi edition strap, standard is a green one.

1) Sapphire crystals are a standard on this watch. Per se, sapphire crystals are not overly expensive, perhaps ₹ 500-1000, but somehow only premium watches sport these crystals. For those who are not aware of sapphire, these are very hard crystals and will __not__ scratch with coins, keys, knives and a lot of daily items. Regular (non-premium) G-Shocks sport the mineral crystal, but I rarely, if ever, manage to scratch them because they are usually a few mm below the bezel which protects them.

2) All metal button construction. The pattern on the buttons is different between the watches, and I like the 1000 better. However, the shape of the buttons themselves are pretty unique in the 2000 and definitely look better. I thing I definitely do not like in the 2000 is the crevices and grooves where the buttons meet the body, it will be very difficult to clean.

3) Carbon core body in the latest version vs resin body in the older one. I am not worried about durability of the resin body at all, I think it will last decades as will the new material, the one advantage the carbon core body brings is that it makes the watch lighter.

4) Talking about weight, the size of 2000 is visibly smaller than the older one, diameter as well as thickness, which should reduce weight further. However, the 2000 now wears a steel bezel which negates some weight loss. However, GWG-2000 does feel lighter on the wrist.

5) The strap is resin for both, no Carbon Fiber love yet. Strap retainer for the 1000 is steel, 2000 is resin. I have never experienced broken strap retainers with even my lowest end G-Shocks, so I am not worried.

6) Module numbers for both are different (5463 for 1000, 5678 for 2000), and yet they have __exactly__ the same functions – Multiband 6 (of no use in India, of use only in China, Japan, Europe and North America), solar, Alti-Baro-Compass-Temp sensors, no GPS, no accelerometer, no SPO2 or Hearbeat, and the other pretty standard G-Shock features. There are no extraordinary features in this module that are unique or newly introduced – these sensors can be found on a number of Protrek and other sub-premium watches. It is surprising to see the module numbers are different even though they are exactly the same features, there could be a difference in module because of difference in LED used, 2000 has a much brighter LED.

7) These watches sport negative LCD screens, and they are __not__ my favourite as they are very difficult to read. However, the 2000 has a better contrast slightly greenish LCD and is much more legible in various lighting conditions, though nothing beats a positive display. This is one place where Casio weighs form over function.

8) The sub-hand is literally a Christmas tree in the 2000 version. The dial is more textured as well, and gives feeling of a circuit board when put at a certain angle.

9) Don’t be fooled by the dark hour-markets, they light up quite nicely when in dark. Overall I like the lume of 2000 better than 1000, it seems to “capture” more light quickly and shine brighter. However, don’t expect either watches to hold the brightness late into the night, my guess is 1-2 hours would be maximum they will hold up illuminating after being exposed to reasonable light.

10) Both are “Assembled in Thailand” as most Casio G-Shocks are, however the module are both Japanese.

11) Both watches have 4 independent motors that drive the second, minute, hour and the mode hand. Which means that when the hands need to move out of the way, or change to world time, the transition is pretty fast.

12) Hands moving out of the way is one more common feature in mid-high end watches – when you change the mode and there is something important to show on the digital screen, the hands will move out of the way and “park” themselves for a few seconds for you to see the LCD screen unhindered. Not a novelty anymore, but it is notable.

13) This is a Master of G watch (premium G-Shocks), so one does not usually talk about “value for money”, it is analogous to not asking fuel economy of a luxury car. The watch certainly commands very high premium, and well, it deserves most of it – the build quality, the premium-ness it oozes, the steely looks, the detailed work on the dial, bezel, caseback and strap…

Its a great watch, and certainly one of the collectible ones – if you are into that. However, I agree with most reviews, if you have the GWG-1000, it is not a massive upgrade, and you will survive your days without having to think too much of the new version. If you don’t own a GWG-1000, you may still not get the GWG-2000 and wait for, another 4 years before the GWG-3000 comes out (yes, there was a 5 year gap between 1000 and 2000).

My thoughts on what I expect from the next iteration, whenever that happens:
1) Carbon fiber and fully user-changeable straps
2) GPS – though this will necessitate a bigger digital screen, so very low chances
3) Bluetooth for sure
4) Stepcounter, its a small thing to add (I suppose)
5) Mode customization to hide some modes (a feature some Timex digital watches have, and I love!)
6) Multiple quick swappable time-zones (also much like Timex again)
7) More alarms, 12 maybe (why not, one of their training stopwatches from years ago already provides this)
8) Repeatable and multi timers (not new in Casio)
I know it is asking a lot. But setting a high goal hopefully gets us somewhere near. 🙂

Fun Facts:
There are ₹ 600 watches which are copies of GWG-1000 (and perhaps now the newer iteration) – big, chunky and, well, handsome in a way. Someday I want to try them out. Someday…

Note: I am not just in premium watches, I enjoy the F91W and CA53 with equal love (sometimes more). I really am into watches!

great watch, dealing with Amazon wasn’t easy

Hit somebody with this watch their skull might break but the watch wont. This watch is so strong. No need to care about battery either. Only drawback is its weight and if you are used to a smart watch then this watch will feel like a dumbell on your wrist.

I went down to my local shopping center and checked out this watch. They were asking 1.5k for it and wouldn’t budge. I decided to take a risk and went for the cheapest seller on Amazon. Having only reviews from India I was a little skeptical but they all seemed happy and legit. Long story short, great seller, fast delivery, authentic and fantastic price. Love it!

This watch is proper. It’s beautiful, rugged, no nonsense and loaded. The barometer functionality is sublime. Altimeter readout is significantly more accurate than Apple Watch and phone compass. If you ride/hike/explore trails, it’s a no brainer. The readability of time in all conditions is optimal. It’s a big watch and yet somehow understated for what it is. It’s one of the 3 best Casio watches out there + a respected watch in horology because of its impeccable utilitarian nature. It’s not a watch to show off to others, but to use and feel delighted every time you read time/check sensor data for quick reference/set timer.

On the cons side of things — the temperature readout is affected by body temperature, solar panels and steel bezel resulting in upto a 2-3 degree of inaccurate reading, which is not a small deviation but not too big either.