Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The three watches compared here—the black GD-B500-1, white GD-B500-7 and light-gray GD-B500S-8—share a compact case, step tracking and Bluetooth features. The practical choice comes down mainly to color and display: the first two use negative displays, while the S-8 has a positive mirror display whose readability can vary with lighting and viewing angle. This is a comparison of these three variants, not the entire regional lineup; Casio also lists the GD-B500S-3.
How the three GD-B500 models differ
| Model | Appearance and display | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| GD-B500-1 | Black case and strap; negative digital display | Fratello Watches author Jorg Weppelink preferred it as a sports watch among the three. |
| GD-B500-7 | White case and strap; negative digital display | Offers the same shared functions in a brighter colorway. |
| GD-B500S-8 | Light-gray case, bezel and strap, translucent connectors, orange buttons; positive mirror display | The display’s mirror effect changes with lighting and viewing angle. |
These distinctions are based on Fratello’s hands-on comparison, published July 17, 2024. [Fratello Watches]
Which one should you choose?
Choose the GD-B500-1 for a dark, understated sports look
The black model was Weppelink’s preferred choice for wearing as a sports watch. Its negative display is shared with the white GD-B500-7, so the main distinction from that watch is the all-black look rather than a different feature set.
Choose the GD-B500-7 for a brighter colorway
The white version keeps the negative display and shared functions while changing the visual impression. It is the straightforward option if you want a light-colored case and strap without the S-8’s mirror display.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#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.
Choose the GD-B500S-8 if you like the gray-and-orange design
The S-8 is visually the most distinctive of these three, with translucent strap connectors and orange buttons as well as its positive mirror display. That display may suit you if you value its reflective look, but it is worth considering the conditions in which you will usually check the time.
What the S-8 mirror display looks like in use
Weppelink reported that under artificial office lighting the display looked mirror-like and was readable only from a particular angle; in natural light, he found the mirror effect diminished and the display clearer. He wrote: “Under the artificial light in the Fratello office, the display looks like a mirror and can only be read if you place the watch at a certain angle.” This is one reviewer’s observation, not a standardized visibility test, so your experience may differ with lighting and viewing angle. [Fratello Watches]
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.
Shared fit, construction and core specifications
Casio lists the GD-B500-1 at 46.3 × 41.5 × 11 mm and 45 g, with a resin case and band, shock-resistant construction and 200-meter water resistance. Its listed battery life is approximately two years on a CR2016 cell. Casio also specifies an adjustable band for 145–200 mm wrists and a compact, three-tier LCD layout. These are the manufacturer’s specifications for the GD-B500-1, not independent measurements or a claim that each of the three variants was separately measured. [Casio GD-B500-1 specifications]
In his hands-on account, Weppelink described all three watches as light and easy to wear, noting that the angled strap connectors helped the strap wrap around the wrist. He found the resin strap less flexible and comfortable than straps on some more expensive models, though he said it did not greatly affect comfort. These are his impressions rather than a fit test across different wrists. [Fratello Watches]
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
Step tracking and Bluetooth features
Casio describes an accelerometer-based step tracker for the series, with a graph showing progress toward a step goal. Bluetooth pairing with the CASIO WATCHES app supports automatic time correction and watch configuration. Casio also lists app functions including world-time cities, step life-log data, stopwatch-data transfer, time-and-place information and a phone finder. [Casio GD-B500-1 specifications] [Casio GD-B500 series]
Weppelink’s article describes additional watch functions: a step-goal range from 1,000 to 50,000 steps in 1,000-step increments, reminders, and a six-level graph of hourly steps across the previous seven hours. It also reports 200-record lap memory, five daily alarms, a 60-minute timer, adjustable LED-backlight duration, a low-battery alert and a power-saving function. These details are attributed to his hands-on article rather than treated here as independently confirmed manual specifications. [Fratello Watches]
Rank #4
- Band Size: Mens-Standard
- Shock Resistant
- Auto LED Light with Afterglow
- Magnetic Resistant
The cited comparison does not establish that one variant tracks steps more accurately than another, or how accurately any of them count steps. The shared tracker is a feature distinction, not evidence of comparative measurement performance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Prices in the 2024 hands-on article
Fratello reported prices of €119 for the GD-B500-1 and GD-B500-7, and €129 for the GD-B500S-8, in its article published July 17, 2024. Those are historical article figures, not current quotes or confirmation of present availability. Prices and regional model availability can vary; check that a listing names the exact model suffix, particularly for the GD-B500S-8, rather than assuming another S-series colorway is equivalent. [Fratello Watches]
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.
