Sunday, April 25, 2010

#15 Clubbing Style G

In November 2005 Casio released the "Club Style" series. Three models were released. The DW-5600RC and DW-6900RC were looking pretty much the same. Negative display, a multi colored denim strap and a copper/yellow ring around the display. The strap pretty fast became known as "puke straps". The DW-6900RC and DW-5600RC was sold for a long time for ultra low prices. I do not know for Japan, but it seemed a pretty unpopular series outside Japan.
The third model does not look much like the 5600 and 6900. The only thing they have in common is the negative display. If I'm correct the G-7501 is actually the only model in the G(L)-7500 series with a negative display. Also does this model not have the letters RC in the model name. It's just G-7501-9JF or G-7501-9DR.
When you look at the photo's and know a bit of interpreting model numbers, you might think "-9JF? That watch isn't yellow". The color is not easy to describe. It is not white, it's more a kind of creme. It's more yellow than the "Stormtrooper" Mudman. You might even think about Café au Lait.
The -9JF suffix might refer to the display. The display plate, that is placed over the display has a gold tone. I think it looks actually very good. A nice accent is that there is a thin red line around the crystal on this display plate.
I always wanted to have this model, but unlike the 5600 and 6900, this model wasn't sold for low prices in east Asia. It was also only available for a very short time, which suggests this watch was very popular in East Asia. The only seller outside Japan, who sold this watch for a longer period, was MSG-Distributors. The price was around the original suggested retail price. ¥13500, about $130.-. Since I have to add intercontinental shipping and the package would also have a 90% chance of ending up at the customs, the price was pretty high for my, considering a basic G-7500 would cost me not more than  €50.-.
Many times I had put my finger on the "Buy It Now" button,  but I didn't dare to risk the relative huge customs fees over this watch (around €40.-). Then in March 2007 I discovered that my friend Klaus in Germany was also looking for this watch. In contrary to the Netherlands, packages normally just arrive in Germany. I informed him where he could get one. A few weeks later he already received the watch.
I know that this model is Klaus his favorite watch. I actually had asked him two years ago if he could write an article about this model. He agreed, but it didn't happen yet.  I could have asked him to write for now, but he just became a proud father of a son. I think he has his hands full for now.
The G-7501 is a special version of the G-7500. I recently wrote an article about a G-Lide GL-7500. The main difference between the models is that the G-7500 has a Telememo Function, where the GL-7500 version has the Tidegraph with Moonphase function. A bit disappointing is that on the basic model there is also only a 60 minute countdown timer. The timer has an auto-repeat and a rest function. This means you can use the timer for interval exercises (like 4 minutes run, 1 minute walk).
The back of the watch shows an ant, carrying a turntable. I'm pretty sure that must be a Technics SL1200MKII.No club can do without them. Vinyl is still my favorite sound carrier.

For a G-Shock with a negative display, the EL backlight is kind of dim. Of course it is not needed to be very bright. In dark conditions this EL is pretty discrete.
Bram comes home from hour guest parents:
"Hi dad, stop taking photographs and start preparing dinner".
This model is hard to find now. I don't know actually what kind of price tag would be placed on this one. I got mine brand new, but without box and manual. No problem for me, as I got boxes enough. I paid about $76.- for this beauty. I got it from the same seller that helped me to get my Men In Yellow collection complete with my M.I.Y. Fisherman. I am very happy that I finally (after more than 4 years) have this model in my collection.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Sjors,

great post there with the fantastic pictures. How does the vibration alarm pull off? Is the vibration strong? And does it come with chime or can we just use the vibration without the chime?

Just wondering abit here. Cause I see the model being sold in my vicinity but definitely not the RC series. It's in dark blue if I remember clearly and no negative display.

CQ

Unknown said...

Hello Matthew,

Thank you for your comment.

This model is probably the hardest 7500 model made. The model you are referring to is a G-Lide version. These came in turquoise, light blue, red and yellow. The turquoise version is a quite dark, so I think you mean that model.

The vibration is strong enough to get noticed. It's a kind of silent alarm. The chime is turned off when the vibration alarms is turned on.

Kind regards,

Sjors

Gary near NYC said...

Nice in depth exposé of a terrific watch. When I saw this, I was already familiar with the G-7510. However, the G-7501 appealed to me so much more. Trying to find one seemed hopeless. On Yahoo Japan I'd seen a few badly beaten up ones, and one that a guy converted to all black.

Anyway, the day finally came and I now own it. I have to say that it is even better looking in person. Such an unusual looking G-Shock and with capable functions. It's an excellent contrast to the GL-7500.