G-Shock collector - early G's

The world's first G-Shock watch

The DW-5000 was launched in April of 1983. It came in two versions; the DW-5000C-1A and the DW-5000C-1B.

The DW-5000C-1A is the more common version. It is easily identified by the red border on the crystal. The bezel screws, pushers and band clasp are silver. The lettering on the bezel is white.

DW-5000C-1A

DW-5000C-1B

The first Wide-Temp LC G-Shock

The WW-5100 was launched in November of 1983. It used module 491, rather than module 240 (found in the DW-5000). Module 491 was nearly identicle to 240. All of the functions were the same. The main difference was that module 491 had a liquid crystal display specifically designed to withstand extreme temperatures. The watch could operate normally within a temperature range of -30ºC and 50ºC (-22º F to 122º F). This stronger LCD did not leave room for a light; the only drawback of the WW-5100.

Like the DW-5000, the WW-5100 also came in two versions. There was the WW-5100C-1 and the WW-5100C-9.

WW-5100C-1

The WW-5100C-1 is easily identified by the thick gray/silver border around the outer perimeter of the crystal. The pushers, bezel screws and strap clasp are silver. The lettering on the bezel is white.

WW-5100C-9

The WW-5100C-9 is extremely rare. The thick border on the outer perimeter of the crystal is gold. The pushers, bezel screws and band clasp are gold. The letters on the bezel are gold.

At the beginning of 1984 sales of the WW-5100 were sluggish. Production had likely ceased on the DW-5000. The G-Shock line came very close to an end. Soon a hero would be born to save the G-Shock line. This hero would be named the DW-5200.

The DW-5200 aka "HERO"

In June of 1984, Casio made a last ditch effort to save the G-Shock line by launching the DW-5200. Production had ceased on the DW-5000 and WW-5100. Many 5000s and 5100s had been marked down because no one was buying them. Casio USA sent thousands to Puerto Rico and other countries where they were sold for less than their U.S. MSRP. Casio knew that the G-Shock watches were superior to its competitors, yet the line was a failure in Japan and sales were minimal in the U.S. If the DW-5200 did not succeed, there is no question the G-Shock history would have ended in 1984. Thanks to a bit of brilliant marketing, DW-5200 sales took off. Casio aired a commercial showing a hockey player violently striking a DW-5200 with a hockey stick. The watch sailed through the air and was caught by a goalie at the net. The goalie opened his glove to reveal the watch running. To make the commercial even more of a success, a national news agency aired a special on products that did or did not live up to advertisers' claims. The hockey commercial was recreated for the G-Shock. The watch passed with flying colors. Americans were moving away from the thin frail watches. Excercising and sports were becoming more popular than ever. The timing and exposure was perfect for the DW-5200. Sales grew and it became a success.

There were two versions of the DW-5200. There was the DW-5200C-1 and the DW-5200C-9.

DW-5200C-1

DW-5200C-9

The DW-5200 was such a success that it would be sold alongside later models and outlive nearly all of them. The next model to follow was the DW-5300.

The WW-5300

In December of 1984, Casio launched the WW-5300. This watch was identical to the WW-5100, with the exception of the graphics on the crystal. Following the success of the DW-5200, Casio thought it would be a good time to try the even more extreme and tough Wide-Temp LC G-Shock.

WW-5300

While the DW-5200 enjoyed success, the WW-5300 did not. Sales were minimal and the model was quickly scrapped. Casio still believed they were on to something. Casio's next attempt to expand the G-Shock market would be the DW-5400

DW-5400
Casio's First Round G-Shock

The DW-5400 was launched in May of 1985. It was the first time Casio strayed from the basic original square design. The DW-5400 came in two versions. There was the DW-5400C-1 and the DW-5400C-9.

DW-5400C-1

DW-5400C-9

DW-5500
Casio's first Mud Resist G-Shock (a.k.a. G-Shock II)

In July of 1985, Casio launched the DW-5500C. This watch had the same module 240 as the DW-5000 and DW-5200. The bezel incorporated large buttons intended for covering the pushers and preventing mud and dust from getting under the bezel. The buttons were large so that they could be pushed with gloves on or while the watch was filthy.

DW-5500C

The DW-5500 was decades ahead of its time. The public just wasn't ready. Sales were horrible. Production ceased almost immediately. Because of this, a complete DW-5500 is extremely rare and valuable.

DW-5600

The Most Diversified Old G