View the Casio G-Shock GXW-56-1BJF photo gallery.

The new Casio G-Shock GXW-56 — and its American counterpart, the GX-56 — are proof that huge is the new big. With a case 55.5mm wide at its widest point, and 17.5mm high, the GXW-56 is the biggest G-Shock ever made. (Yes, they are even larger than the venerable Frogman.)

(Before going any further, I want to point out the differences between the GXW and the GX. The GXW is the Japanese version and has multi-band atomic timekeeping. The GX is the American version which is less expensive, and has all the features of the GXW except atomic time calibration. This review focuses specifically on a GXW-56-1BJF which I imported from Japan in order to get atomic time calibration, but most of what I cover here pertains to the GX, as well.)

The thinking behind the GXW-56 (and the GX-56) is that, in the overall scheme of things, typical G-Shocks simply aren't all that big anymore. Yes, they are certainly bigger than your average timepiece, but if you look at the watches that are really driving the trends right now, G-Shocks don't completely dominate in terms of size. So in order to maintain their status as trend-setters (and make no mistake — G-Shocks are as much about fashion as they are toughness; if you don't believe me, read my coverage of Shock the World), it was time for G-Shocks to take the next step.

Fortunately, Casio decided to do something constructive with all that extra space in the case: they filled it with aGEL which they describe like this:

aGEL® is a soft silicone gel material with outstanding shock-absorbing characteristics.

So what is this mysterious new aGEL material? aGEL, or Alpha GEL, is the brand name for the soft silicone gel material which was first made famous by Asics Gel running shoes, and it helps to make the GXW-56 even more shock and vibration resistant than your standard G-Shock.

But the GXW-56 isn't all about size. It also has the functionality and features that we've come to expect from G-Shocks. Here's an exhaustive list:

Casio G-Shocks play many roles: fashion icons, hardcore tool watches, respectable divers, etc. Today, we look at something of a new phase for the G-Shock line in the form of a “multi role fighter.” The Casio G-Shock GW-2000 sports aviation styling while retaining the GMT features of many of its older siblings. The GW-2000 combines the radio controlled technology which Casio is now famous for with a refreshed style more reminiscent of the MR-G series.

Let's take a look at the details:

• Mineral glass crystal.
• 47mm at the widest point (wears more like 43mm).
• 15m thick.
• Radio controlled atomic calibrated module.
• Solar powered.
• Stopwatch with a resolution of 1/20^th of a second.
• 24-hour countdown timer.
• Alarm.
• Multiple timezones.
• Perpetual calendar (with day and date).
• Water-resistant to 200 meters (about 650 feet).
• Neobright luminous paint.

If there's any one company that continues to innovate, it has to be Casio. Their newest Pathfinder/Protrek, the PRW-5000, takes their kitchen-sink feature list and completely rethinks to design with an emphasis on analog hands.

Let's start with the features:

• Solar powered.
• Atomic timekeeping, six bands: US, UK, Germany, China, Japan (2x).
• Altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer.
• Wold time, stopwatch, countdown timer, five alarms.
• Low temperature resistant down to -10C.
• Water resistant to 100m (330ft).
• Mineral crystal, fixed stainless steel bezel.
• Casio movement 5114 (PDF), with self-correcting hands.
• 49mm across, 14.6mm thick, 85g on the 22mm resin strap.
• List price of $450.

Please read on for the full review.

As big Pathfinder fans here at WatchReport, we're happy to report that the new PAW-5000-1 will ship this April for $450. Departing somewhat from the dominant style of "mostly digital face", the new model sports a reduced-size digital screen and more dive-watch-style face. Somehow, it works for us. Casio PR has promised to try and get us a review unit, so keep an eye out for a full review. Here's a list of specifications to pique your interest in the meantime:

• Tough solar power.
• Six-band radio set timekeeping.
• Water resistant to 100m (330ft).
• Plastic case, urethane band.
• Triple sensor (temperature, altimeter/barometer, compass).
• Resistant to low temperatures.
• New tough movement, as seen in the GS-1200 and the MTG-1500, where it can check and correct the position of the hands. A very cool piece of engineering.
• The second hand doubles as a compass needle. Clever, huh?

The watch hasn't been officially announced in the USA yet, but keep an eye on Casio's website for the announcement.

By Paul Hubbard

A review today of a women's watch from Casio's Baby-G series that does it all. The LWA-M140-7ACF is quite the powerhouse, packed into a casually-styled look that belies its inner geek:

• Tough solar power (the dial is a solar panel).
• 5-band atomic timekeeping (US, UK, Japan, Germany).
• Water resistant (depth not specified).
• Mineral crystal.
• 34.6mm by 11.5mm, 25g.
• LED backlight.
• World time: 29 time zones, 48 cities.
• Alarm.
• 60 minute countdown timer.
• 1 hour stopwatch.
• 12 month power reserve with low-power modes and low-battery warning.
• Casio module 4739 (PDF of manual).

Please read on for the full review.

Today's review is Casio's latest in their Frogman line of G-Shock dive watches. These are the first in that line to have atomic timekeeping and solar power. Let's take a look and see what you get for a list price of $725!

Specifications:

• Water resistant to 200m (660ft).
• Dedicated dive timer with surface interval measurement and logbook.
• Tide graph and moon phase (based on UTC offset and lunitidal interval).
• DLC-coated stainless steel case, integral rubber strap with double-tang buckle.
• World time in 48 cities (31 time zones).
• Automatic and manual EL backlight.
• Six-band radio reception (Japan, US, China, UK, Germany).
• Machined aluminum bezel with stainless steel screws on the face.
• 24 hour countdown timer.
• Five alarms.
• 26 month power reserve with H/M/L display of charge.
• 58.3mm by 53mm by 18mm, 115g.

Please read on for the full review and pictures.

View the Citizen Chrono-Time AT Photo Album.

The choice for an "always right" (solar-powered, atomic time synchronized) dress watch has, up to now, been somewhat limited. Apart from the Japan-only Seiko Brightz, the only watches in this space have been from Casio (and their Oceanus brand). The Casio watches that fit the technical specs (e.g. G-Shock GW-2500BD) can't really be classed as dress watches, and the Oceanus watches (like the OCW-S1000 "Manta") are expensive and have limited availability (indeed, Casio in the UK has abandoned the Oceanus brand). But now Citizen has entered the stage with the Chrono-Time AT -- the first watch using the new Citizen H610 caliber.

There are four models to choose from, one of which is the limited edition Rose Gold model reviewed here (the UK version is reviewed; some details may vary by region). The basic specifications are:

• Solar power with 240-day power reserve.
• Atomic time synchronization across four regions (US, Europe, China, Japan).
• Sapphire glass.
• Rose Gold plated with leather strap and two-part folding clasp.
• Hour, minute, second hands.
• Chronograph minute and second hands.
• Second time zone (24 hour subdial).
• Date and time zone indicator.
• Alarm.
• Perpetual calendar.
• Circular slide rule in the bezel.
• Weight: 97g (including strap).
• Diameter: 36mm (51mm top to bottom including lugs).
• Thickness: 13mm.
• Water resistant to 200m (~650 feet).
• 5 year warranty.

On the wrist, the rose gold is subtle and the whole watch looks sophisticated without too much bling (although it might appear otherwise from the official photographs – another reason why on-the-wrist is not the same as on-the-screen). I should point out that my wrists are quite small, so the watch looks bigger than it really is (it's only slightly larger that my Breitling Aerospace).

After our news item about the GW-2500 generated a lot of email, we contacted Casio PR and got one to review. This review is of the GW-2500BD-1A version, which is the black-plated metal with a bracelet. There are also versions with non-plated case and a rubber strap. Due to the use of Flash, I can't link to the product page, but you can find them all on the G-Shock site under 'Classic.' The GW-2500 is the flagship of the aviation-inspired watches introduced at Basel 2009:

• Highly legible dial and enlarged, high-contrast hands with numeric six and twelve on the dial for fast orientation.
• Six-band radio receiver ('atomic' timekeeping) paired with solar power for zero-maintentance timekeeping.
• Three reverse-LCD displays for complex functions such as alarms, countdown timers, multiple timezones, stopwatch, day, date and seconds.
• Automatic orange LED illumination at six o'clock on the dial, triggered by proper wrist movement in the dark for hands-free light.
• Ion-plated stainless steel case and bracelet.
• Hardened mineral crystal.
• As with all G-Shocks, it's waterproof to 200m (660ft) and designed to survive just about anything.

Read on the for the full review and more pictures!

Today's review is of the Casio Edifice EQW-M1000DB-1ACR, introduced at Basel 2009. It's a multifunction analog quartz watch with an unusual dial.

Specifications:

• Six-band atomic set (Japan, US, UK, Germany and China - state of the art).
• Tough solar power. This is Casio's G-Shock technology, meaning its shock-resistant solar power with a rechargeable battery.  
• Five motors driving the various hands and dials.
• World time (29 cities, as seen around the chapter ring). 
• Daily alarm.
• 1/20th of a second stopwatch.
• Countdown timer.
• PVD-plated tachemeter bezel.
• Stainless steel case, and solid-link bracelet with push release.
• Mineral crystal.

Keep reading for the rest of the review and pictures.

View the Casio G-Shock GW-M5600BC photo gallery.

Sometimes the only way to really know how much you like a particular watch is to simply see how much you wear it. I've had plenty of watches which I thought I was going to love -- watches with all the right features and materials -- but that ended up getting almost no wrist time whatsoever for one reason or another. And then I've had watches which I didn't really expect to care for all that much, but that I found myself reaching for over and over. The Casio G-Shock GW-M5600BC turned out to be the latter.

The features of the G-Shock GW-M5600BC are pretty consistent with almost every G-Shock I review:

• Solar powered (with battery indicator and power-saving function).
• 5-band atomic (calibrates with all atomic clocks in the world except the new one in China)
• World time (48 cities).
• Stopwatch with a resolution of 1/100th of a second.
• Countdown timer (max 60 minutes).
• Five daily alarms (one with snooze option).
• Electroluminescent backlight.
• Perpetual calendar (day and date are visible simultaneously, which I really like).
• Waterproof to 200 meters, or about 650 feet.

The Casio G-Shock GW-M5600BC certainly isn't all that much to look at which is why I never expected to become so attached to it. The case is the standard retro G-Shock square with the corners cut off and the traditional four small stainless steel buttons. It has an inverted LCD (white on black) which, on the one hand, sets it apart from most of its G-Shock siblings, but on the other, makes it more difficult to read than modules with regular LCDs. The overall look is so much that of a standard and anachronistic G-Shock that the only comment I've ever gotten on it was from a Rolex-wearing doctor who said something along the lines of "Wow, they still make those things?"