“G-Shock MOVE” is currently the name of the sub-collection of Casio G-Shock watches with some type of fitness tracking or monitoring features. The G-Shock MOVE family evolved naturally from the fact that G-Shock is both dabbling (or fully submerged) in the activity-tracking smartwatch market, as well as the fact that more and more people are showing interest in using their G-Shock watches for more than just time-telling functionality. The current top of the G-Shock MOVE collection is a fully G-Shock durability-compliant smartwatch known as the G-Shock GSWH1000 (aBlogtoWatch review here). Next is the hybrid G-Shock GBD-H1000 (aBlogtoWatch review here) which uses a high-contrast, low-energy-use MiP (memory in pixel) screen, and also includes a heart-rate monitor in addition to Bluetooth connectivity. Even more entry-level but also with Bluetooth connectivity and an excellent MIPS screens is this reference GBD200 (GBD200-1) that is new for this year and has a very aggressive $150 USD price point.
You might recall the Casio watch that immediately preceded the GBD200, the Casio G-Shock G-Lide GBX100 (aBlogtoWatch review here). The GBX100 is technically part of the G-Shock MOVE family but is mostly positioned as a water/surfing watch given its dedicated tide chart indicator. With a similar profile and even lower price, this Casio G-Shock MOVE GBD200 offers the same value but in a slightly more mainstream package that I think a lot of people will enjoy.
While it is common for users of more expensive Casio watches to need to pick up the instructions and learn some new things, at this price point, most G-Shock buyers are getting products with features they have long been familiar with. With the GBD200, consumers have yet another experience to get to know Casio’s new operating system that goes with the new screen system and Bluetooth connectivity technology. The new system does require some learning and is clearly part of a larger new user interface eco-system that Casio is using nowadays.
The new operating system offers a lot of interesting fitness features that become available once you pair the watch with your phone. The watch doesn’t have a lot of internal sensors (aside from a step-counter accelerometer which is still on the newer side for G-Shock), but it does pair with your smartphone and makes use of things such as GPS, which your phone can use. GPS combined with other data allows the watch and related G-Shock smartphone app to track your fitness activities in a way that is an interesting and satisfying mixture between a fully independent smartwatch (that requires daily charging) and a classic G-Shock. One of the newer features that the watch operating system has is interval timers. This allows the user to manually set a repeating series of specific countdown times that are a key part of many types of modern workouts ranging from Crossfit to boxing.
The entire package is handsomely framed in a very wearable product that is also among the thinner G-Shock watches Casio has engineered. Retaining all the durability and 200-meter water resistance of other G-Shock watches, the GBD200 is just 15mm-thick, 45.9mm-wide, and with a 49.4mm lug-to-lug distance. The horizontal lines on the side of the case through the pushers actually act to visually make the GBD200 even thinner when on the wrist. The entire timepiece and matching resin strap weigh just 73 grams.
The newer MiP screens, Bluetooth connectivity, design, and affordable price point make fresh Casio watches like the G-Shock MOVE GBD200 really attractive to those seeking a more engaging exercise-tracking experience but with a traditional-style G-Shock product. Casio still needs to design in some more flair with the information screen designs, but their high-contrast and ease-to-read-in-direct-sunlight MiP screen dials really are the future. Exercise enthusiasts on a budget or those just wanting a simple way to experiment with the latest Casio G-Shock user interface experience are going to enjoy the G-Shock MOVE GBD200-1 and family of watches. Price is just $150 USD. Learn more on the Casio website.
