2023 marks a number of landmark anniversaries for famous watches, and among them is the 40th anniversary of the Casio G-Shock. While many timepieces have been around for multiple decades and have made the transformation from tools to fashion items, arguably no watch has enjoyed a more diverse or multi-faceted existence than the humble G-Shock. From military personnel and first responders to professional athletes and celebrities, Casio’s G-Shock has worked its way onto the wrists of countless individuals from nearly all walks of life, and its pioneering design has made an indelible mark on both the watch industry and popular culture. Celebrating the story of Casio’s groundbreaking timepiece is a new book written by aBlogtoWatch’s very own Ariel Adams, which is titled “G-SHOCK” and chronicles the spirit and trajectory of this remarkable line of watches.
Born during the early 1980s, when wristwatches were still largely fragile items, the Casio G-Shock set a new standard for durability, and this benchmark still stands as the gold standard to this day. With that in mind, Casio’s G-Shock series exists as a bit of an enigma within the industry, as it exists at prices that range from under a hundred dollars to more than five figures, and G-Shock watches are worn by virtually every possible type of person, regardless of their age, profession, wealth, or even their interest in watches. You are just as likely to see a G-Shock on the wrist of an active military soldier as you are on the wrist of an actor or fashion designer, and as a result of this widespread appeal, G-Shock watches have quite literally been worn everywhere from red carpet events to outer space.
“The story of how the Casio G-Shock was first invented is one that has been told a number of times, but a lesser-known and arguably more interesting story is exactly how this line of watches has evolved over the years and the different ways that it has been integrated into our culture. Many people are familiar with the story of G-Shock inventor Kikuo Ibe and Project Team Tough, where they created a series of watches wrapped in spheres of armor and dropped them out of a window to test for shock resistance. However, in my opinion, the most interesting thing about the G-Shock is not necessarily how it was first created, but what it has become, and this is the topic of focus for the book.” — Ariel Adams, aBlogtoWatch Founder and Author of “G-SHOCK”
Published by Rizzoli, “G-SHOCK” is a hardcover book that measures 9.25” by 12.25” and spans 256 pages with 175 color photographs that celebrate the story and evolution of Casio’s legendary G-Shock line of timepieces. Chapters cover a history of the technology and innovation of G-Shock watches, behind-the-scenes imagery from the brand’s headquarters in Japan, interviews with diehard G-Shock collectors, and imagery from famous advertisements and collaborations with various sports figures, fashion designers, musicians, and artists. Additionally, rather than being just a compilation of Casio’s own materials, “G-SHOCK” features in-depth written content and exclusive live photos to create the most comprehensive book about G-Shock watches that has even been written in the English language.
Part of what makes the Casio G-Shock so unique within horology is that it continues to expand its role within people’s lives and redefine its relevance within our culture. Unlike many of the pioneering watches from history that made their contributions to the industry during the formative years of the mechanical wristwatch and now largely exist solely as luxury items and status symbols, the G-Shock continues to remain the go-to option for those who simply need ultra-durable timepiece, yet it is also a watch that is fiercely pursued by countless highly passionate collectors. Priced at $65 USD, “G-SHOCK” by Ariel Adams will officially go on sale in October 2023, although the book is currently available for pre-order now from both Rizzoli’s own bookstore, along with most other major online retail sources, such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Powels, and Target (among a number of others that cater to both the US and UK). Lastly, there will be a formal launch event held in New York City that is planned for sometime in October, so keep an eye out for additional details as we get closer to the official release date. For more information on the new G-SHOCK book, please visit the publisher’s website.
