Hands-On With Three ’80s-Inspired Casio G-Shock GD-B500 Models
What happens if you elongate the design of a G-Shock “Square”? You get the new GD-B500 series. No, I’m just kidding. That’s an unfair and cheeky observation. However, the G-Shock Square is an immediate association as it is such an iconic silhouette. As a result, it’s tempting to compare any square or rectangular digital watch to the Square. But that would be selling the new GD-B500 models short because they have a lot going for them that people will love. These new fitness-focused models present a slim profile and modest proportions that are perfect for both men’s and women’s wrists. That makes this an interesting series, and I had the chance to take it for a spin.
At first, I didn’t know what to make of the new G-Shock GD-B500 series. But that was due to my brain making the wrong connection. I first had to unsee the G-Shock Square before I started appreciating the new GD-B500 series for what it is. It’s the same effect the G-Shock 5500 series had. You see, while fairly square, it’s not the Square, and you have to get used to it for a bit. Only after doing so can you fairly assess what the watches have to offer. After taking a longer look, I noticed that the design of the GD-B500 series is rather different from the famous Square models. The shape and size are different, and they are the slimmest and lightest men’s G-Shock models currently in the collection. It is a super interesting series that will surely find its way to fans.
The G-Shock GD-B500 series
G-Shock first announced the GD-B500 series this March with a black, white, and neon green model as part of the first drop. Of the first three models, we had the first two in for review. Additionally, we had a chance to review a third model in light gray with white, translucent, and orange accents. It’s an interesting combination of colors. On top of that, the positive display has a mirror finish that changes presence in different light conditions. It’s an intriguing watch that became very popular with G-Shock fans. But we’ll get to the details in a bit.
First, let’s take a look at some specs. Each of these three watches features a glass fiber-reinforced resin case that measures 41.5mm wide, 46.3mm long, and 11mm thick. If you know something about G-Shock, you will know that these are very modest proportions. On top of that, the 11mm thickness means that the GD-B500 is thinner than the popular “CasiOak” GA-2100 (11.8mm) and the stainless steel GST-B600 models (11.4mm).
That makes this series the thinnest to date. With a total weight of only 45 grams, the GD-B5000 models are also the lightest men’s G-Shocks available, making these watches great wrist companions for sporty activities.
Functions focused on fitness and running
As with all G-Shocks, the watches are shock resistant, and these three are water resistant to 200 meters. Furthermore, they are all equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and a step tracker. The tracker lets you set a daily goal with a minimum of 1,000 steps and a maximum of 50,000 in increments of 1,000.
Additionally, you can set reminders to ensure you will start working on your daily goal. In the step-count mode, the watch also displays a six-level graph indicating the number of steps taken in the past seven hours with the current hour placed next to the total-step counter.
The sports-focused functions continue with a lap memory that displays lap times and split times. The watch can store 200 lap times, which is impressive. In terms of practicality, it is easier to scroll through many lap times in the app on your phone. You can delete old records through the app, creating room for new achievements.
The new Casio module 3552
But you know that is not where it ends. In addition to the sports-focused functions, the Casio module 3552 that powers the watch also features the standard set of G-Shock functions, some of which can also be used for sports. They include five daily alarms, a 60-minute timer, a stopwatch accurate to 1/100th of a second, and an LED backlight with an adjustable duration of one and a half or three seconds.
The watch’s battery life is approximately two years, and the power-saving function can help extend it. In addition, the watch will let you know when it is time to change batteries via a low-battery alert. Lastly, you can adjust the sound of the hourly time signal and the buttons.
The three different G-Shock GD-B500 models
As mentioned, we have three different models with distinct presences here for review. The first was the stealthy black GD-B500-1, which has a negative display. It has a black case and resin strap that can be adjusted from 14.5 to 20 centimeters. Of course, the straps on the other two offer the same adjustability. The second model, the GD-B500-7, has an all-white look except for the negative display and gray text on the bezel. The third and last model is the GD-B500S-8, which features a white case with a light gray bezel and strap, translucent strap connectors, and orange buttons.
The quirky detail of this watch is its positive mirror display. Depending on the light conditions, the display will go from being an almost full mirror to a regular positive display. 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. But the mirror effect lessens if you walk into natural light, and the display reveals itself nicely.
I was puzzled when I first looked at the display under artificial light. But as soon as I took the watch into the sunlight, my frown turned into a smile. It’s a nice party trick that is certainly not for everyone. But as this quirky model has (temporarily) sold out, it proved to be a popular pick. This last model is also only available through the official G-Shock websites in certain markets.
Wearing the G-Shock GD-B500 models
On the wrist, these three watches show that the G-Shock Square associations stop at their ’80s-inspired style. The elongated case and display have a character of their own. A funky detail is how the lugs transfer into the strap connector. It defines the technical look of these watches, which seem to come straight from a 1980s science-fiction movie. I had to get used to the look, but after wearing all three models for a bit, I started liking the quirky design details more and more.
Additionally, the three watches are real featherweights, and combined with their slim profile and modest overall size, they are very easy to wear. The strap connectors also increase the wearing comfort by placing the resin strap at an angle so it wraps nicely around your wrist.
The strap features one keeper, allowing you to move around to your preferred position easily. This resin strap is not as flexible and comfortable as some on pricier models, but this doesn’t greatly impact comfort.
What I love about these new models is how easy it is to use the different functions on the wrist. Thanks to the four buttons on the right and left sides of the case, it is super simple to scroll through the different modes and use them. The lower-left button lets you switch between modes, whereas the top-left and bottom-right buttons will activate and reset the different functions. The top-right button activates the LED backlight on all three models, allowing the wearer to check the display in lower-light conditions.
Final thoughts on the new G-Shock GD-B500 models
After getting used to the new G-Shock GD-B500 models, I quickly started appreciating the watches for their quirky looks, great wearability, and sports-focused functions. When picking a favorite, my heart ultimately went to the mirror display of the light gray model. It adds a fun dimension to the watch that some people will love. But when it comes to functionality, the black-and-white models are the ones to go for. I would pick the all-black model as my go-to sports watch out of the three.
All three variants benefit from their modest size, slim profile, and great functions. These new models will be attractive for both men and women who enjoy walking and running or want a built-in step counter. Smartwatches will compete with these in terms of functionality. But these G-Shocks have two important things going for them.
First, they are more affordable than most smartwatches out there. The black GD-B500-1 and white GD-B500-7 are available for €119. The light gray GD-B500S-8 is slightly more expensive at €129. Secondly, I don’t know any smartwatches that can compete with the quirky ’80s-inspired looks of these G-Shocks. It’s a style statement that I would gladly pick over a smartwatch any day of the week.
For more information, visit the official G-Shock website. Also, please tell us your favorite of the three new models in the comments below.
