40th anniversary 5000-line timepieces deliver high strength and reduced weight
TOKYO, November 10, 2023 — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the release of new additions to its line of shock-resistant G-SHOCK watches, designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the G-SHOCK brand. The new GCW-B5000UN, available in two models, joins the 5000 line, inheriting the iconic form of the very first G-SHOCK and employing carbon materials to achieve both high strength and reduced weight.
With the 1983 launch of the DW-5000C — the first-ever G-SHOCK — the brand established an entirely new product category: the “tough watch.” Out of a never-ending passion to deliver toughness, in recent years more G-SHOCK watches have employed carbon materials, which deliver strength seven times that of stainless steel, as well as light weight. Today, G-SHOCK watches are made with resin, metal, or carbon, with more than one of these materials sometimes combined in a single model.
The new GCW-B5000UN joins the 5000 line of watches that inherit the iconic shape of the first G-SHOCK. Now, however, it achieves the shock-resistant form with components made using carbon materials created in different production processes.
The timepiece employs different types of carbon materials for the case, bezel, band, and clasp to accommodate the watch’s complex structure, achieving a light weight, at just approximately 65 g, 61% lighter than its full-metal predecessor, the GMW-B5000D made with stainless steel, which weighed around 167 g.*1
*1 Weights are catalog-specified values.
Forged carbon,*2 which enables molding with a high degree of flexibility, is used for the bezel and band, while multilayer carbon is employed for the clasp’s folding arm due to its high bending strength. Also, the monocoque case and integrated case back are made with carbon fiber-reinforced resin.
The design combines the G-SHOCK never-ending commitment to innovation with imagery inspired by the unfathomable, infinite expanse of outer space with a motif inspired by the Big Bang and galactic planets. The two-model lineup offers a choice between purple, featuring mixed-color molding with opal specks,*2 and basic black. Features including a G-SHOCK 40th anniversary logo designed by graphic artist Eric Haze engraved on the underside add extra-special touches.
*2 Due to the characteristics of forged carbon, a composite material produced by molding a mixture of carbon fiber and resin, there are individual differences in the pattern, color tone, and distribution/amount of opal specks on the surface of each part (bezel, band, and clasp) for each timepiece. Opal specks are not included in the clasp components.
Specifications
| Construction | Shock-resistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Resistance | 200 meters | |
| Radio Frequency | 77.5 kHz (DCF77: Germany); 60 kHz (MSF: UK); 60 kHz (WWVB: USA); 40 kHz (JJY: Fukushima, Japan) / 60 kHz (JJY: Kyushu, Japan); 68.5 kHz (BPC: China) | |
| Radio Wave Reception | Automatic reception up to six times a day (except for use in China: up to five times a day), manual reception | |
| Communication Specifications | Communication Standard | Bluetooth® low energy |
| Signal Range | Up to 2 meters (may differ depending on surrounding conditions) | |
| World Time | 5 world times selected from 39 cities (39 time zones,*auto summer time (DST) switching) and Coordinated Universal Time, home time/world time city swapping * May be updated when connected to a smartphone. | |
| Stopwatch | 1/100 second (00’00”00 to 59’59”99) / 1 second (1:00’00” to 23:59’59”); measuring capacity: 23:59’59.99″; measuring modes: elapsed time, split time, 1st and 2nd place times | |
| Countdown Timer | Measuring unit: 1 second (maximum 24 hours) | |
| Alarm | 5 daily alarms (with 1 snooze alarm); hourly time signal | |
| Mobile Link Features*1 (Wireless linking with Bluetooth® devices) | Auto time adjustment Easy watch setting Approximately 300 world time cities + user-added point Time & place Reminder Phone finder | |
| Other Functions | Date/month display swapping, day display (in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian or Russian), full auto-calendar, 12/24-hour format, button operation tone on/off, full auto LED backlight (Super Illuminator and afterglow: 2/4 seconds, fade-in/fade-out afterglow), low battery alert | |
| Power Source | Tough Solar power system (solar-charging system) | |
| Continuous Operation | About 10 months after full charge, using all functions but without solar charging About 22 months with the power-saving function ON after full charge | |
| Size of Case | 49.1 × 45.0 × 14.5 mm | |
| Total Weight | Approx. 65g | |
*1 Requires downloading the dedicated CASIO WATCHES app.
・The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is under license.