Back in the G-Shock World

After flirting with vintage G-Shock watches and learning about resin rot, I cashed out, making about a $30 profit on a $1 watch + battery, and forgot about them for a while.

When Casio added a step tracker to some of their watches, I decided to dip a toe (or rather, a wrist) back in the G-Shock waters.

I’ve had an Apple Watch, a Fitbit watch, and even a Pebble watch (some people still remember them), and the most useful thing to me was the pedometer.

There are only a few G-Shocks with a step tracker. I chose the budget-minded GBD800 ($100) – part of the G-SQUAD exercise-oriented line. It has the usual suite of timer and alarm settings, but no ABC (altimeter, barometer, compass) functions. To get those with a pedometer, you have to step up to the GGB100 Mudmaster, which costs almost four times more.

Casio G-Shock GBD800-UC3. Source: TCM.

G-Shocks, Resin Rot, and Avoiding an Obsession

Browsing a garage sale, I examined a plastic bag full of watches. It was mostly junky stuff, including a lightweight piece that said “Rolex” on it, but there was also one Casio G-Shock.

Before it all fell apart. Casio G-Shock DW6800. Source: TCM

Not that I needed another watch, but I had been casually looking at new Casio G-Shocks, which have a reputation for toughness at affordable prices. This one, however, had been sitting in the sun all morning and when I picked it up, the plasticky looking watch felt like it was melting. I ended up paying a dollar for it, the price helped by the fact that the bezel surrounding the watch face cracked in my hand while talking with the seller.