I used to hate G-Shock watches.
To me, they were a symbol of the common man, the great unwashed. The watch you'd buy if you knew nothing about watches. The default choice. The watch you wear when you're not really wearing a watch. The clayton of watches. The Bieber of watches.
The very sight of them made me cringe. The large obnoxious size, the small unstyled 8-segment digits, the garish text, the clash of colours, the chunky edges, the cheap plastic feel.
Now I'm not a mechanical watch snob, but I do own a few digital watches from brands like Suunto, Garmin, Polar. And when my Finnish made Suunto (my do everything outdoors watch) died after 10 years, I thought I'd replace it with another.
While browsing Amazon, a square G-Shock appeared as a recommendation - a GW5610J-1. It was only $80, and solar - so I'd never need to change a battery. I thought, "what the hell, I'll probably just wear it gardening" and I grabbed it.
Then I put it on my wrist.
And it filled me with nostalgia - I remember owning my first G-Shock in the 80s - and it was great! Yes, it's big. And plastic. And garish. And I love it.
So, I've just ordered a Rangeman, and will be seriously looking at the new Frogman.
Everyone should have at least one G-Shock in their collection - because they will change your perception of watches.
To me, they were a symbol of the common man, the great unwashed. The watch you'd buy if you knew nothing about watches. The default choice. The watch you wear when you're not really wearing a watch. The clayton of watches. The Bieber of watches.
The very sight of them made me cringe. The large obnoxious size, the small unstyled 8-segment digits, the garish text, the clash of colours, the chunky edges, the cheap plastic feel.
Now I'm not a mechanical watch snob, but I do own a few digital watches from brands like Suunto, Garmin, Polar. And when my Finnish made Suunto (my do everything outdoors watch) died after 10 years, I thought I'd replace it with another.
While browsing Amazon, a square G-Shock appeared as a recommendation - a GW5610J-1. It was only $80, and solar - so I'd never need to change a battery. I thought, "what the hell, I'll probably just wear it gardening" and I grabbed it.
Then I put it on my wrist.
And it filled me with nostalgia - I remember owning my first G-Shock in the 80s - and it was great! Yes, it's big. And plastic. And garish. And I love it.
So, I've just ordered a Rangeman, and will be seriously looking at the new Frogman.
Everyone should have at least one G-Shock in their collection - because they will change your perception of watches.