The Casio G-Shock is built to take it all. Water, shock, and sometimes even the muddiest of mud. However, although the G-Shock is usually built with 200m water-resistance (and is shock resistant), they are not usually designed specifically for diving.
So, I thought I would take a look at some of the best G-Shocks for diving. Watches with features you will use while out on the water, but also diving specific functions.
Casio has called this specific range of G-Shock dive watches – the Frogman. There are some very specific limited edition models or the more affordable frogman at the top.
Product overview
Casio G-Shock GWF1000B-1 Frogman
Water resistant to 200m (660ft) ISO Compliant dive watch
Triple Sensor: Digital Compass, Thermometer & Depth meter
The most obvious place to start this review is with the G-Shock Frogman. This G-Shock diver watch is built for diving with a depth meter, a compass bearing sensor that even works underwater, a thermometer, and tide and moon age data. It also has automatic horizon compensation.
If that was not enough, Casio have also given this watch the blessing of their Tough solar, and Multi-Band 6 atomic timekeeping. So, you won’t have to worry about the battery giving out, and the time will always be exactly right!
The water resistance is the standard 200m as with all G-Shocks, however, this one is ISO compliant which means that it has been tested for the rigors of diving and is really meant for that purpose. This means that the watch includes a screw-lock case back, and is built with a stainless steel body.
Casio have not forgotten their G-Shock roots, so have also included the other standard digital watch features like: alarms, timezones, auto calendar, stopwatch, countdown and super illuminator with afterglow. And it has built-in shock resistance like any other in their G-Shock range.
Specifications
Water resistant to 200m (660ft) ISO Compliant dive watch
Triple Sensor: Digital Compass, Thermometer & Depth meter
Moon and tide data
Alarm, 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown timer, hourly time signal, auto calendar, and 12- and 24-hour formats
If you want a slightly different version of the G-Shock Frogman with blue accents, instead of red, then you can go for the rarer Japanese import. It has all the same functions and hallmarks of the G-Shock Frogman above but looks a little different. For example, as with many upmarket Japanese versions, this one comes with a carbon fiber insert band, diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating back case, and blue ion plating on the screws and sensor.
This model is far more expensive but comes with a sapphire crystal glass, which is far more scratch-resistant.
There are also additional diving functions not on the other Frogman, such as data logs of 20 dives with dive time, start time, max depth and lowest temperature on the dive.
Specifications
Water resistant to 200m (660ft) ISO Compliant dive watch
Triple Sensor: Digital Compass, Thermometer & Depth meter
Moon and tide data
Dive time, Alarm, 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown timer, hourly time signal, auto calendar, and 12- and 24-hour formats
Casio G-Shock GWF-D1000ARR-1JR Frogman Antarctic Research ROV
This red, limited edition version of the Frogman is dedicated to Antarctic research. The watch was developed in conjunction with Antarctic researchers for use as a navigational device in underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) by a Professor at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.
It has a stunning style to it and includes not only the unique color combo but also a map of Antarctica on the band. a DLC coating on the case back and a sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating on both sides. It also has an ascent rate alarm to alerts you when the rate of ascent is 10 meters per minute or faster. As well as dive logs with various dive date (dive time, depth, temperature).
Don’t forget this watch is ISO Compliant for diving so is water resistant to 200m and shock resistant too.
This G-Shock dive watch is for those really wanting to stand out from the crowd!
Specifications
Water resistance: 200m (660ft) ISO Compliant dive watch
Triple Sensor: Digital Compass, Thermometer & Depth meter
Moon and tide data
Alarm, 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown timer, hourly time signal, auto calendar, and 12- and 24-hour formats
Casio G-Shock GF-8251K-7JR Frogman - Love The Sea and The Earth 25th Anniversary
The G-Shock Frogman range is clearly one Casio loves to make limited edition models for. And this Love The Sea model is another stand out addition to the Frogman range that was made for the Japanese market!
This particular model was made in collaboration with the International Cetacean Education Research Center ICERC. It features a textured band surface with a whale pattern printed on it and has blue ion plating on the bezel. Although this watch has all the usual Frogman features, it does not have the extra dive logs that the two models above have.
It is a little smaller than the Frogman models above at 52mm which might be something those with smaller wrists are going to love.
Specifications
Water resistant to 200m (660ft) ISO Compliant dive watch
Triple Sensor: Digital Compass, Thermometer & Depth meter
Moon and tide data
Alarm, 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown timer, hourly time signal, auto calendar, and 12- and 24-hour formats
