G-SHOCK turns 35: Some key figures from the brand’s history

G-SHOCK turns 35: Some key figures from the brand’s history

Here are some key dates and figures from the history of the Japanese watch brand, from its origins and innovations to its now legendary models.

Casio_Limited_Edition_Red_O
The New 35th Anniversary Limited Edition RED OUT Series by G-SHOCK.

Casio’s iconic G-SHOCK watch brand celebrates its 35th anniversary this year with special events and releases including a series of limited-edition matte red models. Here are some key dates and figures from the history of the Japanese watch brand, from its origins and innovations to its now legendary models.

1983: After two years of research and development, Casio engineer Kikuo Ibe created the high-resistance G-SHOCK watch. His motto was “Never give up.” The watch underwent some unusual testing, with some 200 prototypes thrown off the top of a Tokyo building.

1993: Ten years after creating the original G-SHOCK watch, the brand presented the “DW-6300,” the first model boasting water-resistance to 200 meters — good news for divers!

2002: G-SHOCK watches got the Tough Solar charging system, turning light into power, as well as automatic time calibration via radio signals.

50 million: The number of G-SHOCK watches shipped worldwide by the end of 2010.

-58°C: Temperature to which the “GPW-2000 Gravitymaster” is resistant. The watch was sent into the stratosphere on a weather balloon, soaring some 44.1km above the ground, exposed to temperatures of -58°C. The watch was still intact when it returned to Earth.

2010: A turning point for the brand, with carbon fiber added to the strap of a G-SOCK watch, boosting resistance once again.

2012: G-SHOCK introduced Bluetooth tethering to smartphones. This further simplified time calibration.

100 million: G-SHOCK watches sold worldwide as of August 31, 2017, after 35 years on the market.

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