Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Casio’s G-SHOCK Iconic Styles collection brings together five signature design families, but it is not a set of five watches launched in the 1980s. The 5000 and 5600 families carry the closest lineage to the original 1983 G-SHOCK; the DW-6900, GA-110 and GA-2100 are later designs from 1995, 2010 and 2019.
What is the G-SHOCK Iconic Styles collection?
Casio America presents Iconic Styles as five G-SHOCK design families: 5000, 5600, 6900, 110 and 2100. Casio’s editorial describes stainless-steel iterations of the DW-5600, DW-6900, GA-110 and GA-2100, and names four featured models: DW-5600UBB-1, DW-6900U-1, GA-110-1A and GA-2100-1A1.
The five family names are groupings, not a promise that every watch is steel or that all four named models form one identical sales bundle. Casio does not provide a complete model-by-model specification or live stock list on the editorial page; check the official listing for your region for current variants and availability.
Which G-SHOCK models are actually from the 1980s?
5000 and 5600: the direct square-design lineage
The original DW-5000C launched in 1983 and established G-SHOCK’s square design. Casio credits engineer Kikuo Ibe with developing its shock-resistant construction. The DW-5600 inherits that square form, while the 5000 family represents the original design lineage. These are the families in Iconic Styles most directly connected to the 1980s origin.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- Rugged & Sporty Design – Matte black finish with bold digital display, built for tactical, military, and extreme sports enthusiasts.
- High-Brightness LED Backlight – Features Super Illuminator LED with a light guide plate, ensuring exceptional visibility in low-light conditions.
- 200M Water Resistance – Engineered for swimming, snorkeling, and outdoor adventures, this shock-resistant watch is ready for action.
- Extended 7-Year Battery Life – Powered by a CR2025 battery, offering years of reliable performance without frequent replacements.
- Shock-Resistant Structure – Built to withstand extreme conditions, making it ideal for sports, military, and rugged outdoor use.
Casio’s account of the DW-5000C’s original design goals was survival of a 10-meter drop, resistance to 10 atmospheres of water pressure, and a 10-year battery life. Those are historical design goals for the original watch, not current specifications for every Iconic Styles model.
6900: a 1990s design
Casio dates the DW-6900’s introduction to 1995. Its round face, triple-graph display and oversized front button distinguish it from the square 5000 and 5600 styles. The family’s 1990s origin is also reflected in Casio’s separate 2025 DW-6900 anniversary series, which marks “SINCE 1995” on the LCD when the backlight is on.
Rank #2
- Shock-Resistant Durability: Built to withstand the toughest conditions, this G-Shock watch features a rugged resin case and bezel, perfect for outdoor adventures and extreme sports.
- 200M Water Resistance: Designed for water enthusiasts, it’s suitable for scuba diving, swimming, and snorkeling, providing reliable protection up to 200 meters.
- Electro-Luminescent Backlight: The blue-green EL backlight with afterglow ensures clear visibility of the time, day, and date, even in complete darkness.
- Precision Stopwatch & Countdown Timer: Measure elapsed and split times with the 1/100-second stopwatch, or set up a countdown timer with up to a 24-hour range, ideal for timing workouts or daily tasks.
- Multi-Alarm with Flash Alert: Stay on schedule with a customizable alarm, hourly chime, and flash alert that combines light and sound for added convenience.
110 and 2100: later interpretations
The GA-110 arrived in 2010. Casio describes its oversized layered dial as having gear-shaped hands, a rivet-style case and four dial layers. The GA-2100 followed in 2019, pairing an analog-digital display with an octagonal bezel. Casio says its Carbon Core Guard structure enabled the slimmest G-SHOCK profile at the time of release; that is a release-era comparison, not a claim that it remains the slimmest today.
How the five styles differ
| Family | Design and display | Historical context |
|---|---|---|
| 5000 | Original square G-SHOCK design | DW-5000C debuted in 1983 |
| 5600 | Square case design inherited from the original | Direct design lineage to the 1983 DW-5000C |
| 6900 | Round face, triple-graph display and prominent front button | Introduced in 1995 |
| 110 | Oversized, layered dial with gear-shaped hands | Introduced in 2010 |
| 2100 | Octagonal bezel and analog-digital display | Released in 2019 |
This is a design-family comparison, not a full specification chart for each current model. The official editorial does not state a comparable current price, dimensions or feature set for all five families.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Super Matte Finish, Shock Resistant, 200M water resistance, LED light (Super illuminator), World time, Stopwatch, Countdown timer, 5 daily alarms, Hourly time signal, Hand shift feature
- Full auto-calendar, 12/24-hour format, Analog: 2 hands (hour, minute (hand moves every 20 seconds)), Digital: Hour, minute, second, pm, month, date, day, Approx. battery life: 5 years on CR2016
- Quartz Movement
- Case Diameter: 52.8mm
- Water resistant 200m (660ft): in general, suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not diving
Does Iconic Styles include the original DW-5000C?
No. The named Iconic Styles products are later models, including the DW-5600UBB-1, not the original DW-5000C. For a distinct reproduction of that original, Casio announced the DW-5000R on November 28, 2024. Casio describes it as a re-creation of the 1983 DW-5000C, with details such as the original band length and dimple positions, a flat-topped bezel, colored face accents, a stainless-steel center case and screw-lock case back.
The DW-5000R also updates the original with a high-brightness LED backlight and bezel and band made from bio-based resin. Casio says the watch is produced at Yamagata Casio, which it calls G-SHOCK’s “mother factory.” It is a separate release, not one of the four named Iconic Styles products.
Rank #4
- Band Size: Mens-Standard
- Shock Resistant
- Auto LED Light with Afterglow
- Magnetic Resistant
Which one should you look at?
- For the closest visual link to the 1983 square: compare the 5000 and 5600 families. The DW-5000R is the separate option if you specifically want Casio’s re-creation of the original.
- For a round, instantly distinctive face: the 6900 family’s triple graphs and front button set it apart from the square styles.
- For a large, complex-looking dial: the 110 family emphasizes layered, gear-inspired details.
- For an octagonal analog-digital design: consider the 2100 family, a newer design with its own lineage rather than a 1980s launch.
These distinctions describe design and heritage, not a hands-on performance ranking. Confirm the exact model suffix, regional availability and specifications on the relevant Casio market page before choosing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Sport Type: Scuba Diving
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute
