G-Shock #14: The Dawn of the 25th Anniversary, GW-5525A-1DR

In 2003 I noticed that Casio released special Anniversary models for their 20th anniversary. I was relative new in collecting G-Shocks, but I managed to get hold of the DW-5000MJL-1JF. Unlike the DW-1983-1 and the DW-5000SP, the 20th anniversary DW-5000 model looked different from the originalDW-5000C. But with the red face, it looked pretty cool.

As the first G-Shock was  launched in 1983, I suspected that 2008 would become a special year, as it would be G-Shock’s 25th anniversary. I didn’t expect that the celebration would start one year earlier.

I think it was March 2007 when I had some e-mail exchange with Katsu Higuchi-san. I probably had received one or more G-Shocks that I had ordered from him. He told me he had been to a watch congress in Tokyo and he had great news for me. Casio was going to release a special series of watches for the 25th anniversary.

He soon sent me some press photo’s about what later would be known as the “Dawn Black” series. Black watches with a greenish gold display and gold accents. As the series were scheduled for May 2007, I had time to save extra money (by simply not buying G-Shocks). I asked Katsu-san to order a set for me and started saving.

Finally the series was released at the end of May. The series were packed in a special box. It looked like a flight case, the type you see musicians with. Actually the panels are made of cardboard.

The initial Dawn Black series were all Tough solar models. The series consist of the AWG-525-1AJF, GW-225A-1JF Frogman, GW-5625A-1JF, GW-9025A-1JF Mudman and the GW-5525A-1JF. Besides the gold display and gold accents, also the buckle and back are made of gold colored metal.

In September 2007 the initial release was followed by a second “Dawn Black” release. These models were only sold outside Japan. These were the G-9025A-1DR Mudman and the G-9025-1DR Gulfman. Also the GW-5525A-1DR and the GW-225A-1DR were released in South East Asia and the US. In Europe the GW-9025A-1DR was available in limited numbers. The last three models were exactly the same as the Japanese market models, but were packed in a special 25th Anniversary package. Like the logo on the back of all the 25th anniversary models, was this tin designed by Eric Haze.

The watch I feature here today is the GW-5525A-1DR. This watch did not only come in a different package as the Japanese models, it also contained a special gift. When the tin was opened you found a nice looking G-Shock necklace with a dog tag.

This dog tag shows on one side the G-Shock logo, on the other side you’ll find the special 25th anniversary logo by Eric Haze in red, white, black and gold. I wish I could have bought a second GW-5525A, because I like this necklace and wanted to keep one mint for my collection. This model was sold in large quantities in the US. You could get them in department stores for relative low prices, mostly around $80.-, much lower than the original GW-5500 would cost you.

You could also find them on eBay. The problem for me with ordering from the US is that packages end up at the customs. I don’t mind paying tax (it would be around €12.- for this watch), but the parcel service adds €17.50 for handing it over to the customs and receive it back. This makes importing cheap G-Shocks from the US pretty expensive. Luckily I found one, slightly used, on the sales forum on WatchUSeek. As I was planning in wearing this watch, it was not a problem to me. I don’t know what I paid for it, but it was a good deal, probably around $80.- shipped.

When the package arrived, the watch looked unworn. Often you can see the imprint of the buckle on the strap when the watch is worn, but I couldn’t find this imprint on this one. As I decided to wear this watch, it is now in a good, but worn state. The necklace was too cool not to wear. I have worn it often, though I had to look for it today.

The GW-5525A is a very nice model. It is shaped after the DW-5500C, released in 1986. The DW-5500C was the second G-Shock model that broke with the traditional square design. The DW-5400, released three months earlier than the DW-5500C, had a round bezel (like the DW-5700). The DW-5500C had a Mud Resist housing and Casio nicknamed this model “Mudman” and considered this the “Master of G”. Although not really as big as later ‘90s models, the DW-5500C was quite larger than his older DW-5X00C brothers. Most eye catching is the wider strap, which makes this model look streamlined. It’s pretty hard to see where the strap ends and where the case starts. A nice extra on the wider strap is that the watch wears very comfortable.

 Of the current Mud Resistant models, the 5500 models have the easiest button control. The parts that cover the buttons feel softer than the covers of the current Mudman models and the GX(W)-56 models. Nice detail is the ADJUST button cover. Some G-Shock models have a recessed Adjust button, to avoid accidentally entering setting mode. The normal buttons on the GW-5525A have a ribbed grip, while the Adjust button has a smooth(er) surface with a single dot at the point where the button is.

 

The GW-5525A -1DR does have the same looks as the DW-5500C, but has been equipped with the latest technology, including a 5 band Waveceptor function and a Tough Solar energy source. The Waveceptor function is Casio’s name for an Atomic Time Receiver.

Before 2006 you could only buy G-Shocks that could receive the two Japannese signals and the US signal, or G-Shocks that could receive one or two European signals (Mainflingen, Germany and Anthorn, UK). With the GW-9000 Mudman, Casio released in 2006 the first 5 band Waveceptor model, followed by the GW-5500 models in 2007. Still a sytrange idea that 5 and 6 band Waveceptor models are now common, but that the first was released less than 5 years ago. A is a little pity that the GW-5625A-1JF is a modle that only receives the signal from the two Japanese transmitters (Fukuoka/Saga and Fukushima) and the US transmitter (in Fort Collins).

 

The GW-5525A has the following functions on-board: 48 cities World Time, 1000 hour stopwatch, a 60 minutes Countdown Timer and 5 Alarms and a Hourly Signal. It’s a pity there is only a 60 minute Countdown Timer on board, but all other functions are more than perfect. Interesting is that Alarm 1 can be set to a Snooze Alarm or a normal Alarm. Normally is the Alarm with the highest number automatically the Snooze Alarm.

The GW-5525A was sold in large quantities in the US, but it is already almost 4 years ago that it was sold. Finding one now will be hard. Back in 2007 this model sold out in the US in a few months. As they were sold at a relative low price in department stores like Macy’s and Wallmart, most of these would have been bought by regular customers who probably still wear this watch, as it is pretty complete and also very comfortable. If you want one, you probably will have to look in Japan. At the moment there are three available at Yahoo Auctions varying in price from 7000 to 20000 yen. Casio has not produced a new GW-5500 model for a long time, but Casio still releases non-Atomic 5500 models, which can have different modules, solar and not solar, but same comfortable wear. These can be good alternatives to this GW-5525A-1DR.

Intermezzo #13: Wind and snot. A ride on my bike.

Let me take you on last Saturday bike ride. For those who don't know, my bike is a very nice Cube LTD Team 2006. My Cube dealer has serviced my bike into tip-top condition. It rides like a bird.
My broken radius kept me off my bike for more than a half year, but this summer vacation I carefully started riding again. What is left over of my radius is poking into my under arm muscles. I guess I got to get used to it. I think the pain will get lesser and eventually disappear when I ride a lot. The Coastal Marathon is in a few weeks. I support the last runner and I want to know if I still can ride the bike for a longer period.
It was quite a busy week at my work. I had to start up a lot of experiments, because the summer school vacation just finished. My legs felt still pretty tired and stiff when Bram jumped on my bed around 8:00. Maybe I should ride only a short round.

Normally there is a south-west wind here, but I read in the morning paper that there is today a weak north east wind. That's interesting. Normally I have the wind in my back when I ride northwards. Riding against the wind has it advantages. When you get tired, simply turn around and get the wind in the back.
Middelburg:

I had no idea which route I would ride, but I started riding in the direction of Veere. Aargh. My legs are stiff, I feel my knees. THis is probably going to be a short round. Middelburg - Veere - Vrouwenpolder - Middelburg.

Veere:

Indeed, there is a slight north wind, but nothing special. My legs are still pretty stiff, but I have no pain in my arm anymore. Lets go to Vrouwenpolder.

Dike to Vrouwenpolder:

My legs feel actually better. A group of elderly people were riding with electric bikes through the small forest to the dike.

Challenge 1: try to pass them safely before the next bend of the small cycling path. Accelerating... Feels good. With 25 km/h I ride the slope of the dike. It feels good if I am on top.

Challenge 2: Off road. With 25km/h I navigate my bike over the top of the dike (the cycling path lies slightly lower, about 5 meters on the left). No pain in my arm, while there is no track on the dike, it's a pretty rough ride with holes. Interesting.

Further on the dike I hear some noise behind me. A swarm of road bikers is gaining on me at high speed. I look at my GPS. I am riding 28 km/h. No way I can out-ride them. I have a steady heartbeat of 165 bpm. A half minute later I'm in delusion that I'm in the Vuelta. Road riders before me, road riders next to me and road riders behind me. And all very close. If I stretch out my hands I can easily touch them. Panting, commands...four letter words, not worth to repeat. Two slower bikes are almost rolled flat by the black and white tornado. What's the fun of riding at these speeds so close in a group? As fast as they appeared, they disappear in the distance. I can look over 1 kilometer before me. Several other cyclists have the same strange experience as I had and see them desolating being flushed out of the peloton. I feel good. I see the peleton ride through the tunnel at Vrouwenpolder and they race northwards to the Veersegat dam (marked Oost Westweg on the map) . That's interesting. I can do that too.

North Sea dike Noord Beveland, viewing the Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier:

I am a bit surprised. At sea this is not a weak to moderate wind. It's hard to keep my pace up to 20 km/h. The air is remarkably clear. I am thirsty. I have ridden 50 minutes. About 17.5 kilometers from home. I could go back. In the distance I see the island Schouwen-Duiveland. Far in the distance I see the firehouse of Westerschouwen. This firehouse is bright red and white, which is clearly visible above the dunes. For about 5 minutes I keep looking at the firehouse, while I rehydrate myself.
"I can do it, I can do it". I hear the little voice in my head. I get on my bike and ride to the barrier. As I got on the first section, the wind is merciless. My speed dropped under the 20 kilometers per hour. My Heart Rate Monitor shows this is not easy. From time to time the alarm sounds. Moderate wind. Well, it more feels like a small storm. I try to get everything out of the closet. Nothing helps. The speed now even drops more. I have to be happy with an average speed of 16.5 km/h. Why did I do this? After about a kilometer I can only see the lonely road before me and behind me. I am the only cyclist riding north. Only a few times cyclists pass me southwards. They look like high speed trains, no matter what bikes they ride on.

Neeltje Jans:

Finally I arrive at Neeltje Jans. The road to this artificial island rises. That's not fair. Isn't the wind enough. Finally I can descent and see I have to follow a detour, because the lock is open. One tiny yacht wants to enter the Eastern Scheldt. Murphy's law. After riding around the lock there is a long straight road, where only walkers and bikes are allowed.

There are a lot of windmills here. I have to ride almost under this one. It's unbelievably high. No idea how big it is. 30m? 60m? 100m? The sound of the wings is terrifying. I try to accelerate. Somehow I am imagining what would happen if a wing would break off. It happened several months ago somewhere else. Somehow I never feel fine when riding so close to these mills.
Of course, the wind did not stop, but I see another challenge. The highway is situated on a dike, that is about 8 meters higher. There is a steep slope to the top of the dike. The view above is great, but I am a play-ball of the wind again. Neeltje-Jans is an artificial island. It is known for it's unique nature. But probably not on the side I am riding. All I see is asphalt, a bit of concrete and uh... asphalt.
I might be complaining about the wind, the sky is almost clear and my GW-5525A gets a lot of sunlight to recharge it's batteries.
On the north of Neeltje Jans the Barrier continues in two parts. In the last part the wind exactly against me. 14.5 kilometers per hour. I can't make it more. Three young women had visited Neeltje Jans. Carefully I pass them. Though it looks like I'm crawling over the road, it also looks like the women are standing still on their bikes, while I am sure they must be moving forward. A few hundred meters further the scene repeats when I pass a boy and a girl. It seems that my speed is not as slow as it looks. Finally, finally... I reach land on Schouwen-Duiveland.

Schouwen-Duiveland:

A couple jumps aside as I ride off road into the dunes. I did not mean to fright them. There was more than 3 meters between us. A road is embedded in the dunes and leads behind the dunes to Westerschouwen. With great speed I descent from the dunes. A kilometer later someone funny has put a 8 meter high pimple in the road. Every normal person would have put the road around it. Pretty tired from riding the long barrier against the wind, I noticed my legs enjoy climbing the pimple. And what goes up...

Since my arrival there is no notice of the light house. I continue my trip into the forests in the dunes. This is fun. At least in the beginning. The trees catch all the wind, and I gain pretty much speed riding up and down the hills. Until I notice I am not alone. No problem you should think. Everyone goes up and down. Most of them are elderly people (70+) with a poor feeling of direction and position of the road. They discovered en masse the joy of electric bicycles. As Evil Knevils they ride uphill, to continue with a snail speed when riding down, left, right and middle of the path. At random choice. Stop without warning and block the road with their bike, to wait for those who came behind. Keep on the right at a bend with no sight in a forest? Never heard of it. This is not why I fight myself uphill. I like to enjoy descending at high speed.

After riding an half hour in the forest (my brakes seem to work terrific) I sit down on bench and write Eva an SMS:

"They should forbid electrical bicycles in the dunes, specially for elderly people." Eva shows the message to my mother in law that was visiting our house. I'm out of the testament....
I must have biked quite some time, until I found a parking place I recognize. I decide to ride the other direction, back into the forest. At the end the road rises pretty steep. I end up in a flock of kickbikes. The kickbikes followed the wrong road. They cannot ride over the sand trails. They turn around.
Actually there are interesting things to see as the kickbikes are left. While I observe a panorama tower, suddenly a few people crawl out of a small concrete box at the side of the road. It appeared to be an old army shelter. It is "Open Monument Day" and it was possible to visit the shelter. I choose to climb the panorama tower.
It was a long climb, but it provides a great view over the island. The sun is shining, so though there is a hard wind (haven't we met before) it is quite pleasant on top.

Finally, when I look north, I can see the firehouse. It was not possible to ride straight to it, so I decided this was close enough. The view is very beautiful, but I can't stay forever.
With a speed running up to 38 km/h I cross the barrier and dams back to Middelelburg. Unfortunately I ran out of water. It felt like riding in the desert. I'm thirsty. I see my heart rate run up and a headache is coming up. Early signs of shortage of body fluids. I had to call home for ravitaillement.

Sint Laurens:

Finally, 8 km from home I get a fresh bidon with water. The bidon is empty before I get home. At home I drunk at least 1.5 liter water in the next hour. Trip distance: 68 km, time on bike 3h15m.

Well, I think I'm in shape for the coastal marathon in a few weeks. A bit stiff here and there. A colleague of my made a frame for my sign board. It says something like "broom bike", which is the Dutch expression for last "support of last runner". In the last years I got often the question where my broom was. Well, I fixed that.
All photo's, except the photo's of my bike, were made with the crappy camera of my iPhone. Sorry for the poor quality.