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Time+Tide’s August 29, 2021 roundup selected six G-Shocks for their distinctive looks, materials, collaborations or features. It was a subjective snapshot, not an objective durability test or a current buying guide: its prices and stock comments describe the period when the article appeared.
The selection ranges from the familiar 5000-series square to a GA2100 special edition, a KITH collaboration, a high-end MR-G and Casio’s Wear OS smartwatch. As author Thor Svaboe put it, “G-Shocks have become an integral part of pop culture and are a testament to Casio reinventing the essence of digital cool, year after year.”
What made these six G-Shocks stand out?
Svaboe’s choices reflect different kinds of appeal: color and finish, collaboration identity, premium construction, and wearable technology. The list is best read as a record of what caught one watch writer’s eye in 2021, rather than as a ranking based on shared performance criteria.
| Model in the 2021 roundup | What the article highlighted | Price or production detail reported in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Casio GMWB5000-RD-4 | Red-ion-plated metal take on the classic square, with Bluetooth, solar power and a linked bracelet | About US$600; article-era price |
| G-Shock CasiOak Jellyfish Rainbow, IFLW x The Dial Artist | Playful special edition based on the transparent “jelly-clear” GA2100 | €549; article-era price |
| KITH x G-Shock GM-6900 Rainbow | Rainbow finish, blue dial and KITH-branded light button | US$400 initial price; the article said it was sold out at publication |
| Casio G-Shock MRGB2000BS3A Hana-Basara | Premium MR-G with a multicolored finish, bronze-gold-toned plated titanium case, dark green bracelet and Cobarion bezel | US$8,000 and 400 pieces; claims reported by the 2021 article |
| Casio G-Shock GSW-H1000 | Wear OS smartwatch with outdoor activity and step-tracking use cases | US$699; article-era price; 200 m depth rating as reported by the article |
| G-Shock Full Metal GMWB5000-TER | Colorful square-format full-metal watch featuring a multicolored bracelet and Super-TIX 20AFG titanium alloy | US$1,700; the article said development of the alloy involved six years of research |
All listed prices are historical figures from the 2021 roundup, not current offers. The same applies to its sellout comment and limited-edition count; the roundup does not establish present availability or current market value.
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- 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.
Classic squares with a colorful metal twist
GMWB5000-RD-4: a red-plated take on the 5000-series
The GMWB5000-RD-4 keeps the recognizable square outline while replacing the familiar resin look with a metal case and linked bracelet. Svaboe described its red ion plating as shifting from purple in sunlight to dark burgundy at night, making changing light part of the watch’s appeal.
The article gives a case width of 43.2 mm and thickness of 12.9 mm, and calls out Bluetooth and solar power. Those dimensions and features are as described in the 2021 article; they are not a substitute for checking the specifications of a particular listing.
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.
GMWB5000-TER: a square in multicolored titanium alloy
The GMWB5000-TER offers another metal-square interpretation, this time with a multicolored bracelet and Super-TIX 20AFG titanium alloy. The roundup links the material to six years of research and gives an article-era price of US$1,700. That figure should be understood as the price reported in 2021, not a current retail or resale valuation.
Collaborations that put color first
Jellyfish Rainbow: a GA2100 special edition
The CasiOak Jellyfish Rainbow, credited to IFLW x The Dial Artist, starts with the transparent, “jelly-clear” GA2100 design. Its appeal in the roundup is primarily visual: a playful, vivid treatment set against the broader popularity of the GA2100 form. The article reported €549 in 2021.
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- 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
KITH x GM-6900 Rainbow: a streetwear statement
The KITH collaboration applies a rainbow finish to the GM-6900, paired with a blue dial and a KITH-branded light button. Svaboe presented it as an attention-grabbing streetwear accessory rather than a restrained everyday design. The article said the initial price was US$400 and that the watch was already sold out when the piece appeared; neither statement confirms today’s availability or secondary-market pricing.
MR-G Hana-Basara: the premium-material outlier
The MRGB2000BS3A Hana-Basara sits at the luxury end of the selection. Its combination of multicolored finishing, bronze-gold-toned plated titanium case, dark green bracelet and Cobarion bezel gives it a markedly different character from the resin-forward and streetwear-oriented pieces.
Rank #4
- Band Size: Mens-Standard
- Shock Resistant
- Auto LED Light with Afterglow
- Magnetic Resistant
The 2021 roundup described the model as limited to 400 pieces and reported a US$8,000 price. These are claims made in that article, not confirmation of current production status, remaining stock or what collectors pay now.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.GSW-H1000: the smartwatch in a style-led list
The GSW-H1000 is the selection’s clearest departure from the traditional “bullet-proof everyday timekeeper” idea. Rather than focusing only on a rugged digital-watch look, the 2021 article emphasizes Wear OS by Google, outdoor activity use and step tracking. It also reports a 200 m depth rating and a price of US$699 at the time.
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- Sport Type: Scuba Diving
That makes the GSW-H1000 useful as a contrast within the roundup: the other choices are chiefly defined by appearance, materials or collaboration, while this one is included for smartwatch functionality. The article’s description is a historical snapshot and does not establish its present software support, compatibility or availability.
How to read the 2021 list today
- For a familiar silhouette with a material change: the two GMWB5000 squares preserve the classic shape while emphasizing metal finishes and, in the TER’s case, titanium alloy.
- For playful or fashion-led color: the Jellyfish Rainbow and KITH GM-6900 Rainbow make their collaborations and vivid treatments central to their appeal.
- For premium construction: the Hana-Basara was the roundup’s high-end MR-G, with its distinctive case, bracelet and bezel materials.
- For wearable features: the GSW-H1000 is the smartwatch choice, rather than simply another colorful conventional G-Shock.
“Coolest” remains an editorial judgment: the six watches do not share one material, feature set, price tier or design language. Anyone considering one now should confirm the exact model reference, condition, seller and current price through a fresh listing check; the roundup itself cannot answer those questions.
Quick Recap
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.
