Hands-On: The G-Shock Master Of G Mudmaster GWG-B1000 Is Nothing Short Of Impressive
Casio announced the release of the new and updated Mudmaster in September of 2023. The highly anticipated new series of Mudmasters promised not only a new case construction but also some firsts in terms of functionality. We had a chance to go hands-on with two new Mudmaster GWG-B1000 models in green and red. After reviewing the Rangeman and Mudman recently, it was nice to see if the new Mudmaster is the true Master of G. Reading through the description of all the Mudmaster GWG-B1000 is capable of, you would think you would not need another watch to keep you alive during your adventures. It’s time to find out if that is true!
Straight out of the box, the two G-Shock Master of G Mudmaster GWG-B1000 models look very much like G-Shocks. To be more precise, they look a lot like the Mudmaster GWG-1000 models that came before. But a quick check will reveal some significant differences. These watches also take design cues from the Mudmaster GWG-2000 that Nacho reviewed in 2022. That is probably the watch that is closest in terms of looks. But this new GWG-B1000 has some functional tricks that make it a more complete offering than any previous ones.
Understanding the Casio G-Shock Mudmaster
When Casio introduced the G-Shock Mudmaster series in 2015, it quickly became a popular line of adventurer’s watches. This high-end “Master of G” series presented an instantly recognizable style and combined it with various functions to help you out during your toughest of adventures. Since its introduction, the Mudmaster has seen three different generations. We covered the three different generations of Mudmaster and showed the functional differences and how they stylistically evolved. Regarding the latter, the Mudmaster style is easy to recognize.
The same is true of the new GWG-B1000. Although it is the successor to the GWG-1000 from 2015, it’s too easy to say that it is a visually updated version with Bluetooth as an added functionality. No, the new model is much closer to the newer GWG-2000 introduced in 2021. Maybe the best way to describe it is as a combination of both watches that adds plenty of style.
The exterior of the new Mudmaster GWG-B1000
Let’s start with the exterior. The new Mudmaster GWG-B1000. The case measures an impressive 52.1mm wide, 58.7mm long, and 16.2mm thick. It makes the watch slightly smaller than the 54.4 × 61.2 × 16.1mm case of the GWG-2000. But as you will understand, we are talking about a big watch. Despite its size, the new Mudmaster weighs only 114 grams. It is eight grams heavier than its more luxurious brother, which comes with a carbon bezel. Both watches feature a Carbon Core Guard case made of carbon fiber-reinforced resin. Unlike the GWG-2000, this new Mudmaster uses bio-based resin for the case, bezel parts, and band.
The bezel ring is made of stainless steel, and the bezel guards are placed on top. The upper and lower bezel guards are stainless steel and feature a DLC coating, while the guards on the left and right sides of the case are made of carbon fiber-reinforced resin. On the green model (GWG-B1000-3A), they are green, whereas on the red model (GWG-B1000-1A4), they are black. The side guards protect the crown on the right side and the buttons on either side of the case. The cylindrical button shafts are made from stainless steel and protected by gaskets to ensure that mud and dust can cause no harm to the watch.
The many different functions of the GWG-B1000 on display
The dial features a combination of analog and digital displays. The design is in line with what we have come to know from the Mudmaster series. But there are aesthetic and practical updates to the design. The aesthetic changes are far from revolutionary. Let’s say that if you liked the Mudmaster before, these GWG-B1000 models will feel familiar. When it comes to the functional side of things, there are some important changes. The new Mudmaster is the first G-Shock to feature Tough Solar power, the Triple Sensor (altimeter-barometer, compass, thermometer), and a Bluetooth smartphone link. The watch is also equipped with Multi Band 6 for automatic radio time correction if you are within range of the transmitters.
These features make this GWG-B1000 the most complete G-Shock in terms of functionality. As a result of all the functions, the G-Shock designers also changed the dial layout. As you can see, the sub-dial on the left side of the dial indicates the altitude or the barometric pressure differences. Both were previously indicated by the combination of the seconds hand and the dial or bezel markers. The right sub-dial indicates the bearing to a saved location that you can enter in either the Bearing Memory or Location Memory. But that’s not all. In timekeeping mode, the left sub-dial also indicates the battery level.
Understanding the different options takes time
Does this all sound complex? In all honesty, getting familiar with all the different functions and how to find and activate them takes some practice. The centrally mounted hands show the time. That one is easy. But the hands also have different functions in the different modes. Scrolling through the different functions on the digital display at 6 o’clock takes a manual. Thankfully, if you’ve ever had a G-Shock, the basics are easy. Using the lower-left pusher, you can scroll through the full menu. The other pushers let you adjust the different functions within a menu, but they also activate other specific functions. The fifth pusher at 6 o’clock activates the double-LED light that illuminates the dial and LCD.
Overall, seeing what this new Mudmaster has in store can be overwhelming. It would take an article to sum up all the different functions. G-Shock UK has created a 10-minute video showing the different functions and how to access them. It says something about the extensive range of functions available. That is why I will sum up some of the most important ones. Quite a few of the important functions are accessible by connecting the watch to your phone. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, you can access these functions via the Casio Watches smartphone app.
The Bluetooth connection to your phone adds a ton of functions
The app provides the standard functions of automatic and one-touch time correction, automatic switching to summer time (DST) with around 300 world cities, a phone finder, alarm and timer settings, hand-alignment correction, and a time/place log. However, the advanced functions include a Mission Log and a Location Indicator. The first records your route waypoints and their altitudes, and the second shows the bearing and distance to a preprogrammed location on the watch. The advanced functions include automatic altitude calibration and settings for the altimeter, barometer, and compass.
The GWG-B1000 also features a Bearing Memory. It records the current bearing, and the bearing indicator points to the recorded bearing angle. When activated, the seconds hand points north to help you out. With the help of the mentioned Location Indicator, the watch can save your current position in the Location Memory. Additionally, it can save the bearing indicator points to the location, while the seconds hand points north, and the LCD shows the distance to the location. Although you can only store one location at a time, you can change the location with the help of a map on the smartphone app. It means you can be flexible and change the specifics during your adventures.
Personalize your Mudmaster so it suits your adventures perfectly
As with other Master of G models, you can change the sequence of the different modes. On top of that, you can delete certain modes if you don’t need them during your missions. As the GWG-B1000 is equipped with Tough Solar, the watch is fully operational through solar power alone. There is no need to charge it via USB. Just make sure that you place it in the sunlight regularly, and the watch will remain fully operational. Depending on how often you use Triple Sensor functions, you might have to do that more often as they use the most energy of all the different functions.
Are you still with me? The new Mudmaster also has a lot of functions that we know from other Mudmaster models; the altimeter has a 30-record manual memory, and it can automatically record data for one record of high altitude, low altitude, cumulative ascent, and cumulative descent. On top of that, the watch has the same stopwatch and timer functions as many other G-Shocks. They include a 24-hour stopwatch (accurate to 1/100th of a second), split time (first- and second-place times), and a 60-minute countdown timer. The watch can display 38 time zones and the time in 55 cities plus UTC. Lastly, the watch has five alarms without a snooze alarm. So, if you love sleeping, set the five alarms if needed.
Wearing the new Mudmaster GWG-B1000
All jokes aside, this is a serious piece of kit. That’s why it only makes sense that the watch has a sapphire crystal and that the strap keeper is made of stainless steel instead of the usual resin. Did I mention that the watch is water resistant to 200 meters and shock resistant, just like all G-Shocks? In the abundance of functions and features, those characteristics are easily forgotten but quite essential to mention. It’s also essential to give an impression of wearing these new Mudmasters. The first thing that stands out is the size of the two watches. But with a watch like this, I do not mind it at all. It serves an adventure-driven purpose, so the size is almost mandatory. It allows you to read all the necessary info easily.
On top of that, I am always impressed by how G-Shock manages to make these large watches so wearable. I said the same thing about the latest Rangeman and Mudman models and will say it again. I am a big guy, and on my 19cm wrist, these watches feel right at home if placed in the right context. In these photos, you see the watch on my colleague Daan’s wrist. He has smaller 17cm wrists, so the watch looks bigger on him. But regardless of your wrist size, these watches are big for a purpose, not just for size’s sake.
Take your time, and the purpose of the new Mudmaster will reveal itself
I usually do not plan many adventures that need a Mudmaster, but I enjoyed wearing these watches for a few days during my much less exciting urban adventures. After working out how to set the time, which wasn’t too hard, it was time to play around with the different functions. And as I already mentioned, what these Mudmasters have in store is nothing short of impressive. Therefore, it can also be daunting to find out every specific detail. That’s why you need to sit down and take your time. After initially scrolling through the functions, I sat down and watched the G-Shock UK video and checked the manual. That makes things much clearer and opens up a world of wonder.
And that’s also when you better understand what this watch is made for. Sure, if you love the looks of the watch and use some of the functions of the Mudmaster as your daily wearer, it can be a great purchase at €799. It makes it a high-end G-Shock that has a significant price tag. But if you use the watch to its full potential for any outdoor adventures you have planned, that will lead to great admiration for what Casio has created with the new G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-B1000. This is an incredibly impressive tool watch for the most extreme and adventurous mission you will embark on.
Final thoughts on the new G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-B1000
The new G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-B1000 is a worthy addition to the brand’s Master of G lineup. It comes at the same price as the GWG-2000. You can opt for that model if you want a slightly lighter option with a carbon bezel. But if you prefer the added functions that come with the Bluetooth connection to your phone, this new GWG-B1000 is the way to go. I would prioritize the latter if I were looking for an adventurer’s watch for the most extreme personal and professional missions.
I believe this new Mudmaster is the king of the Master of G series. It’s a series that continues to impress me again and again. I said in my review of the Rangeman GPR-H1000 that it would be my pick whenever I go on an extensive adventure in the wilderness. Well, forget I said that because what this new Mudmaster GWG-B1000 offers is unbeatable if you are tempted to buy an adventurer’s watch. I would look no further than this new Mudmaster unless the brand decides to create a watch that is even more impressive. Honestly, that seems impossible at this point unless Casio can somehow add rocket boosters or a teleportation device. That’s how complete and impressive this new Mudmaster is!
For more information, visit the official G-Shock website. Feel free to share your thoughts on the new Mudmaster GWG-B1000 models in the comments section.
