G-Shock #30: GW-T5030C-1JR: the ONE Watch

Introduction by Sjors: You might expect a 2 week stop after the trilogy of Resist Black last week, but I had still something up my sleeve. After the GW-T5030C was announced, I got several messages from G-Shock collectors if I knew where to find these. I might not be the only collector who got these questions. One thing was very cool. One of these very limited watches was going to The Netherlands, but not to me. My friend Isezumi had traced one in Japan and bought it. I couldn't resist to ask him to write an article about this watch, which he was very glad to do. So today, another guest article on 50 Gs. Don't forget to look at the "Making of.."

After owning my first G-Shock in the late ‘90s, I had a hiatus from digital watches for over a decade: that was until last year. I wanted to buy myself a present for my birthday in June and accidentally stumbled upon the GWX-8900K-7JR I.C.E.R.C. model which blew me away at the very first sight. However, I would not be me if I did not do some thorough research first which (inevitably in hindsight) led me to the G-Shock part of the forum called Watchuseek (WUS): the point of no return for many a visitor and not any different for me.

I spent a lot of my time on WUS and Google soaking up all kinds of information and had already made up for myself that I loved the round models and could not care less about the squares even though they are referred to as the original and classic G-Shock (with very good reason): I had a hand full of G-Shocks at that moment and was quite happy.

That is when it happened: the release of the Rising Red 30th Anniversary series which consisted of 4 regular models and one limited to 200 Frogman model. The GW-M5630A-4 was the first time I really liked a square: the great contrasting colors, marvelous display and extremely good fit. I wanted it and I got it. Not soon thereafter I saw the Hundreds square GW-M5610TH-1 and I had to get it as well.


So now I was only 2 squares in and I was already longing for the modern square, the GW-5000-1. The prices dropped and I was ready to make my move when all of a sudden I read a vague wish, rumor, expectation or whatever you want to call it on WUS: Casio could perhaps release a 30th Anniversary model of the modern square. People were wildly speculating about what would be the next Anniversary models and although a screw back a la DW-5000C was high on the public want list, there were some (you know who you are) that wanted something along the lines of an offspring of the TW-7000 and GW-5000-1: the TW-5000. I decided to wait for the next batches of releases: I would be satisfied with just a a 30th Anniversary GW-5000 if it was going to be released.

Syncing...

Then the week of Baselworld 2013 arrived and the forums were buzzing with something new: an unknown (to me at least) Japanese site was linked with the announcement of the upcoming GW-T5030C-1JR as an addition to the already announced Resist Black series! Casio had somehow listened to the wishful thinkings and creative mock-ups on WUS by releasing this titanium version of the GW-5000-1 which it shares the 3159 module with. But...

Yes, there always is a but and this one has a bit to do with the price: ¥ 136,500, quite a hefty sum. What does it bring at such a price? Well, it is advertised as a sort of collaboration containing a bag of the luxury brand Porter by Yoshida Co Ltd. Apart from the very nice bag there is nothing on the watch itself that suggests it being a collaboration.

The GW-T5030C-1JR is limited to 200 pieces worldwide which are numbered xxx/200 (mine is 185/200) on the case back: the second square with a screw back and that in the same 30th Anniversary series! The logo is in 3D which looks and feels very awesome.

This is where the cool, sexy and expensive part of the watch is the most discernible: TITANIUM!!! It is 6-4 grade titanium alloy which is made up of 90% Titanium, 6% Aluminum and 4% Vanadium: the stronger and stiffer of the two must commonly used types of titanium. The bezel screws, buttons, buckle, case, case back and keeper are all made of this alloy: of which the buttons, buckle and keeper are brown copper and the case and case back are dark grey. On the other the buckle springs, buckle spring rods, e-clips for buttons and spring rods are all made of steel. This all makes the watch feel so light weighing in at a mere 56 grams, in shrill contrast to the 75 grams of the GW-5000-1. I cannot stop being amazed by this...

And the screen. It resembles the pixellated screen of the GW-M5630-4, but has a more brown gold tint to it which gives it a very smooth look. It contrasts and transitions very nicely into the solar panel around it and the gold-grey honeycomb structure around that.

The resin is very soft and comfortable, quite different from the DW-5600BB-1 I have. Another difference is the color of the resin which is especially noticeable in direct (sun) light: it is a bit lighter black with a very feint shimmer of brown gold. The coloring of the lettering is a very pleasant combination of brown and gold reminding me of my first G-Shock: the DW-003-1.

Summed up, the GW-T5030C-1JR is more than worth it for me: the classic G-Shock look and feel infused with high grade materials, technology and last but not least nostalgia. I for one will be wearing it with formal and office attire and if I can obtain another copy (or enough spare parts) I will be wearing this as a daily wearer/beater as well. For someone just having started last year buying and collecting, I can say I have found my holy grail and have less of a urge to buy watches anymore.

Is it my exit watch? Who knows, but I will keep it for the rest of my life as the One Watch.
My advice: get it while you still can!

Thanks to all that made this article happen: 

you know who you are... ;-)

Intermezzo #65: Prelude to the "Resist Black" Trilogy.

In March 2013 Casio announced the third series to celebrate their 30th Anniversary, The RESIST BLACK series. It would be released in April 19, the exact date of G-Shock's 30th anniversary.

There have been many models and 2 series of watches celebrating G-Shock's 30th anniversary, but frankly I, and I guess a lot of G-Shock enthusiasts and collectors too, have waited for the, now, iconic Anniversary "Project Team Tough" model. Casio decided not only to release a DW-5000 model, but choose two other classic G-Shock designs to go along with it.

The production of these models were limited, but not very. 10,500 pieces were made of each model, so it must be pretty easy to get one of those. For the record, of the DW-5025SP were 2008 pieces made and a fast search learned me that at the moment there are still 3 on auction in Japan. 

When I received my set, I noticed that my co-author Doug had bought the DW-5030C-1JR and co-author Chris (a.k.a. Chrisek. writing here as Christofono) had also bought a complete set. While chatting or FaceTiming with Doug, we came to the idea to do a "Triple Feature" together. Chris immediately was enthusiast too. I think he was even the first author to complete his article.

So here is where you find these three articles:

Doug: DW-5030C-1JR

Chrisek: GW-5530C-1JR

Sjors: DW-6930C-1JR

Now, that's a lot to read and a lot of eye candy. To keep the stories as authentic as possible, we did not discuss or talk about these models on beforehand. This might of course lead that things are mentioned double in the articles, but on the other hand, these articles must also be possible to read as single articles, outside the triple feature concept. I like to thank my fellow writers Doug and Chris for the cooperation and the fun of making this happen. It took a lot of time, but I think it shows of and it was fully worth it.

G-Shock #29: Resist Black DW-5030C.

A few months ago, I saw the models being released for G-Shock’s 30th Anniversary, and was immediately drawn towards the DW-5030C. When these limited edition Project Team Tough anniversary models come out, they are typically VERY limited, and extremely hard to acquire. I dropped a note to Seiya to see if he had any, he quickly replied he didn't, but would notify me when they become available. Shortly after, I received an invoice, promptly paid, and 2 days later my mailman brought me a package from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Like the original Casio Packaging of 30 years ago, it is no frills. Simple cardboard box with off white coloring and the 30th Anniversary design. The box looks like, and is designed to look like it has been sitting for 30 years. It reminds me of an old Baseball Cooperstown Collectible packaging. Some folks on the forums were disappointed with the Cardboard instead of the tin, or hard case, but I like it very much. Sliding off the sleeve reveals a 2 piece cardboard box. Opening the top is a slot where the watch sits in plastic wrapping with tags, and adhesives to keep its Rose Gold Steel keeper and Black polished Screwback finish intact. Pulling the watch out reveals it's paperwork underneath it, written in Japanese. The DW-5030C offers the classic Module # 3421. I like simplicity in my Classic type collectibles, and this watch does not disappoint. No Atomic or Solar, simple old fashioned battery power.

Pulling the watch out of the plastic, removing the tags and putting them to the side, I am so impressed by the very classic charm this watch has. The display shows a coppery aged finish, it's got gold lettering on the front of the bezel. The inlay is black with gold bricks and lettering showing the button operations. In a very understated and non-distracting red it shows "Project Team Tough" below the Hour. The Display shows the Day of the week, month and date in the small box on the upper right, the time which could read in 12/24 hour format and the seconds. Holding the alarm on/off button shows an EL Hourly flash indicator. The buttons are Rose Gold as well as the Keeper. The Keeper shows 3 stars and "Since 1983" engraved into it. The Stainless Steel Screwback Case is a polished black and shows the 30th Anniversary logo engraved. The buckle is the same polished black as the back case. It has that great stainless steel weight to it to let you know it is there.

I debated keeping the plastic attached to this and storing it in the box to look at occasionally. Strapping it on my wrist, my decision was made easily, this will be sitting in my watch box and will be worn occasionally, I like it too much. This collection reminds me of a retro version 25th Anniversary Dawn Black collection. 


I tend to be a bit old school when it comes to my squares, I do not like them at all without the screw backs. I took out my DW-5600C and GW-5000 and this fit in perfectly in the middle. I have my old school classic 901 module with my DW-5600C. I have its updated completely modern version with all its bells and whistles. I have included photos of all three. The thing I love about the squares over time is the style stand the test of time (No Pun). These watches fit in just as easily today as they did 30 years ago when the G-Shock was first introduced. They continue to represent what they did years ago…toughness. Now with so many models there is a G-shock to suit anybody. Here’s to another 30 years!