In March 2011 Casio released the GDF-100. It’s a remarkable looking watch. Although the GDF-100 has adopted the strap style of the new X-Large series, the case of the watch somehow does remind me more to the vintage Skyforce models, probably because of the asymmetric shape, caused by the sensor on the left side of the case.
If Casio would have brought a 2nd generation Riseman around 2000, it probably would have looked like this. And the Riseman was the first model that comes to my mind when I heard about this new twin sensor model. With the revival of the Master of G line, now even regenerating of the new models combined with the trend of bigger G-Shock models, it would not have been strange if Casio had called this model the new Riseman, probably even with a new G(W)-9400 model number. Casio did not choose for this approach, but I think it would not be strange to compare this watch to the G-9200 Riseman.
Two basic models were introduced worldwide, a black version with orange lettering and accents and reversed display with amber digits and this “Crimson Red” version, also with a negative display and black accents and lettering. I have a weakness for red models so I bought the red version, but frankly, the black version looks also great.
While, as far as I know, all sensors found on Casio watches are located at the side, the sensors are facing to the front of the GDF-100. You can recognize the sensors as the four little black (on this model) points on the protrusion on the left.
On a good barometric watch, you always find a thermometer. Barometric sensors can be very accurate, but the readout not only depends on the atmospheric pressure, but also on the environmental temperature (temperature drift). If you know the temperature of the sensor, you can compensate the temperature drift of the barometric sensor.
There are some notable differences between the G-9200 Riseman and the GDF-100. You would probably not notice at immediately, but the GDF-100 is controlled by only 4 buttons and the G-9200 is controlled by no less than 6 buttons. This is not really a big problem, as the original DW-9100 Riseman was also controlled by 4 buttons. I think if you look at the front side of the watch for the first time, you might wonder: “4 buttons? But I see a light button”. It is indeed a bit strange. There is no upper right button. Instead there is a little raised structure that looks a bit like the sensor. It seems not to have any function.
Actually the missing upper right button makes it a little different to operate. Sometimes the light button takes over the function that you might expect from the upper right button, like scrolling backwards. Personally I rather would have seen a classic 4 button control of the functions and optional the light button as the 5th button. The 6 button control of the G-9200 is a little over the top I guess. The lower right button is also used for direct access to the Altimeter from Timekeeping Mode.
Another visual thing missing on the GDF-100 is the Barograph. The GDF-100 has a “Trend Graph”. It’s the round graphic area on the top right of the display. In Barometer mode, it will display the “Barometric Pressure Differential Pointer”, which shows the trend of the barometric pressure, compared to the last measured point. When the Barometer function is activated on the GDF-100, it starts reading the barometric pressure every 5 seconds for the first 3 minutes and from then one reading every two minutes. The readings on the Altimeter function are the same. I had to deep out the G-9200 manual (module 3148) and compare it on the 3255 module of the GDF-100. On the Riseman the barometer keeps reading every 5 seconds after the function in activated. The Altimeter can be set to every 5 seconds or every 2 minutes updating.
Taking barometric readings (both the Barometer function as the Altimeter functions use barometric readings) consumes energy from the battery. I think the frequent updating of the barometric readings on the Riseman is not a real problem, as the watch is Tough Solar, which means it can store a lot of energy in it’s rechargeable battery, and can be recharged time after time again, while the GDF-100 uses a conventional battery. Casio was smart enough to equip this watch with the CR2025 battery, which can hold much more energy than the usual CR2016, though Tough Solar would have been better, but also more expensive.
The Altimeter function does calculate the altitude with the barometric changes. This means the barometric sensor is very sensitive. It can detect altitude changes of 5 meters, which is the accuracy of the readings. Although Casio promoted this watch with a spectacular “Decent” video, the 5m increments and the 2 minutes measuring intervals (after 3 minutes) are probably not useful for parachutists and other people who need an accurate and fast altimeter. The Altimeter function is a fine tool for hikers, skiers and snowboarders, who want to keep track of their altitude. I think the 5m increments are fine for these sports. If you really need a good altimeter, you can look out for a Suunto, but such an Altimeter of course has it’s price.
Note that the Altimeter function accuracy, how expensive your Altimeter watch might be, needs a stable Barometric pressure. If there are severe weather changes on the way, the barometric pressure might drop fast, causing very inaccurate readouts. Also note that you have to adjust the altitude of your Altimeter, before you are going to use it. I have seen owners asking why their Altimeter was so much off. Well, in all cases the owner did not know how a barometric Altimeter worked.
What other functions do you find beside the Barometer and Altimeter function on the GDF-100. The watch has a World Time mode with 31 time zones and 48 cities to choose from, a 24 hour Stopwatch function, a 24 hour Countdown Timer and an Alarm function with 5 alarms and a hourly chime. A nice thing is that the time is always visible in the upper display in every function (except Timekeeping function of course).
Compared with the G-9200 the GDF-100 has less functionality. There is no recorder function, it is not Tough Solar and there is Barograph, only a barometric trend indicator. If you are a fan of the 90’s look, you probably will love the GDF-100 over the G-9200. The visibility on the G-9200 is okay, but the digits in the main display and the seconds display are relative big and very good readable, even though it's a negative display.
If you look around good, you’ll see that prices for both the G-9200 as the GDF-100 vary a lot, though, the Tough Solar feature and better functions on the Riseman pay off. I do not know the retail prices for the G-9200, as it is not released in the US and Europe (we had the Waveceptor version GW-9200), but a basic Riseman can be found already for around €120.-. The recommended retail price f the GDF-100 is in Europe €139.-, but if you look around well, you’ll find them for much lower prices than you’ll find the a basic Riseman. I found mine in Singapore for €85.-, which is probably not the lowest, but a great price. For that price the GDF-100 is worth it’s money compared to the Riseman.
I pretty much love the classic metal MR-G series, that were introduced in 1996. In the past years I have found several of these models for affordable prices. At their release they were pretty expensive. At that time a MR-G model costed around €400, which would probably more than double now if you convert that price to the nowadays market (it was almost about my monthly income around that time).
From Left to right: MRG-100, MRG-110, MRG-210 and MRG-120.
It’s not that I do not like the new MR-G models. Frankly I do like most, specially the MRG-7000 models and higher (to me the MRG-2000 and -3000 series looked a little too much like the higher end metal G-Shocks and hence not really worth the price tag of €1000.- or higher).
I think the current MR-G line has a totally different target group than mine. They are, with my spending pattern, not even close to affordable to me, but if you, as a consumer, are looking for a high end watch in the same category as the Omega Speedmaster, etc, this might be a reasonable series to look at too. Maybe I might find some in about 15 years for a than affordable price. As I will be approaching my 60 life year, it might be that my interest might have migrated to the higher end watches and that my spending spree might have been slowed down.
Today’s MR-G model is the MRG-110-7, released November 1996. I was highly convinced that I owned this watch, when my friend Neil offered me one last year. A quick look at my website G-Peopleland learned me I was wrong. There was a hiatus. I bought a MRG-100 earlier from him, and also I bought a MRG-210. There was my mistake. The MRG-210, released November 1997) has also a square case. The MRG-210 has more functions and 5 button (one 5th light button) operation, while the MRG-110 has only a 4 button operation.
In function I think the MRG-110 is more made for me. Despite it’s Telememo, ID data and vital statistics, the MRG-210 only has a Stopwatch, where the MRG-110 has a Stopwatch function and a Countdown Timer function. The upper right button is the light button, so the Split function in Stopwatch models done by the Adjust button (upper left). Not the ideal position for this function, but you probably get used to this pretty fast if you need this function often.
The MRG-110 shares the same module as the MRG-100, module1569. The MRG-100 is by the way released outside Japan as DW-8900. The only difference is the plastic face plate part, which is white in the Japanese version and gray in the overseas version. At the MRG-110 the plastic part of the faceplate is also white. Personally I love this color design. It is a nice contrast to the full metal case and also it makes the text pretty clear. The texts indicate if certain functions are toggled on. Then toggled on a horizontal black bar digit appears under the text. There is an indicator for the Alarm function, the Hourly Chime, the Split function in Stopwatch Mode and the Auto Repeat function in the Countdown Timer Mode. This last function might not easy to find. If you are in Adjust Mode of the Count Down Timer (the digits are flashing), press the upper right button and you will see the Auto Repeat indicator appear (or disappear if it was activated).
The MR-G feels quite heavy. Some may see this as a disadvantage, but from a lot classic 90‘s MR-G owners I learned that most people like the way you can feel the quality back in the weight of the watch. Pessimists can always complain that you walk skewed to the left when you wear such a watch, but we are talking a watch that weights about 150 grams here.
The weight of a MR-G watch is mainly the result of the use of solid links in the bracelet. The bracelet can easily be resized by driving out a split pin and taking out the link. You need the proper tools of course.
The finish of the watch is from what I know brushed stainless steel. It looks pretty nice, but you you can also see the wear of the watch easily, as you can see on my photo’s. I bought this watch used, so I knew what to expect. While wearing, I think the condition of this more than 15 years old watch is very good.
Classic MR-G models wear very comfortable, because of the hard rubber back protector. This allows a space between the back of the watch and the wrist. As there are no ventilation holes, I recommend to take the watch of at night as there is no ventilation.
As the newer MR-G models are far from affordable for me and I think for a lot of G-Shock enthusiasts, the classic MR-G series are a nice alternative. For me a price under €300 can be considered affordable, but I normally use the definition of the Poor Mans Watch Forum (PMWF), who state that an affordable watch is priced lower than $1000.-. Classic MR-G models of the 90’s can be found regularly for sale on watch forums and eBay. They are also often priced very wallet friendly. You often find them under €100.-. I bought this MR-G together with my GWS-900-4JR Speedpass. I am not sure what I paid for the two, but I got this one for far under €100, rather think around $70.-. For that price I think it is totally worth for what you get.
If you are interested in buying a MRG-110 or another classic MR-G model, keep in mind these models are slightly smaller than the usual basic G-Shocks of that time (and quite smaller than the current X-Large models). Although my preference goes to the larger G-Shocks, I still love these little gems with their unique full metal look and their heavy and quality feel.
