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:

I just got back from Casio's 2010 Shock the World press event in New York, and I have plenty to show. We all had a blast checking out some new G-Shock models, meeting folks from Casio (and Casio's PR team), rubbing elbows with celebrities, and hanging out at what turned out to be a pretty wild concert.

Here are the highlights:

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 you like your watches big, bold, and durable, then the new GA100 line of G-Shocks will make your day. Available in white, yellow, and black, you get the "basic" G-Shock feature set in a new, larger case for a list price of only $99:

• Water resistant to 200m (660ft).
• Resin case, mineral crystal.
• Anti-magnetic case structure.
• Servo controlled hour and minute hands with 4-LCD digital displays.
• 1/1000th of a second stopwatch with unique "Speed" dial (tachometer).
• 48 city world time, stopwatch, countdown timer, five alarms.
• Casio module 5081 (PDF) with a 2 year battery life.
• LED dial illumination, automatic or manual with adjustable time duration.
• 51mm across by 17mm thick, 65g, 22mm strap. (A bit larger than most G-Shocks, but quite light in weight.)

Please read on for the rest of the review and pictures.

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.

One thing you can always count on is for Casio to introduce new and interesting features and products in the G-Shock line. Today let's look at the G-Rescue G7900A-7, introduced in May of 2009:

• Inspired by search and rescue teams (thus the name).
• Bigger buttons for gloved use -- largest ever on a g-shock.
• Back case shock absorbers (pictured below).
• Low temperature rated display (-4°F/-20°C).

And of course the long list of normal g-shock features:

• Water resistant to 200m (660ft).
• Auto and manual electroluminescent backlight.
• Flash alert (backlight flashes with the alarm).
• World time.
• Five alarms.
• Two stopwatches.
• Moon and tide graph.

Please read on for the full review.

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!

Up for review today is the Casio Baby-G BGA100-8B. It's a G-Shock for women, if the rhinestone-accented pink dial and heart-shaped window didn't already tip you off. As with the forthcoming mini line, Casio has scaled down the full G-Shock requirements for the Baby-G line:

• Water resistant to 100m (330ft) vs 200m.
• Battery powered instead of solar.
• Manual versus radio-set.
• Accuracy 30 seconds per month versus 15.

The rest of the specifications are equivalent:

• LED backlight.
• World time (29 time zones, 27 cities).
• Four daily alarms and one more with snooze.
• 60-minute countdown timer.
• 60-minute stopwatch.
• Two-year battery life.
• Clear grey case and band, thorn buckle, steel bezel, mineral crystal.
• 39mm by 13mm, 42g.
• Casio movement 5059 (PDF of manual).

Please read on for more.

Casio has announced it is bringing the popular G-Shock Mini line to the USA. These are popular G-Shock styles designed to find a home with women buyers. They are available in a wide selection of "feminine" colors and sizes that span three models which are probably very familiar if you know the current G-Shock line.

Shigenori Itoh, the vice president of Casio watches, was quoted in the press release saying, "We are thrilled to offer fashionable water and shock resistant watches for chic active women everywhere... The G-Shock Mini makes our G-Shock toughness and technology a highly sought-after women’s fashion accessory." All three models will include conventional features like an alarm, 100m water resistance, auto backlight, world time, and a chronograph. The G-Shock Mini will be available nationwide at department stores and carries a $95 MSRP. Read on for a link to the press release and additional pictures.