Vintage Casio G-Shock DW-8030G-1V

This is the Casio G-Shock model DW-8030G-1V.

This series was issued in 1995. This model that I have is the export version, thus having the Illuminator moniker instead of Fox Fire at the 6 o'clock position just below the LCD screen. This is the G (gold) version of the standard DW-8000-1, hence the gold lettering as oppose to the red on the DW-8000-1 (G-Shock and LIGHT).

This watch uses Casio Module 1180.

This module have the following functions:

Timekeeping Mode: Hour, minutes, seconds, am/pm, month, date, day of week.

Time system switchable between 12-hour and 24-hour formats.

Calendar system: Auto-calendar pre-programmed from 1995 to 2039

Alarm Mode: Daily alarm, hourly time signal

Countdown Alarm Mode:

Measuring unit: 1 second

Input range: 1 second to 24 hours

Others: Auto-repeat function, repeat function

Stopwatch Mode:

Measuring units: 1/100 second

Measuring capacity: 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59.99 seconds

Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time and two finishes

Battery: One CR2016 lithium battery

This watch is impact resistant (it IS a G-Shock) and water resistant to 200m. It has EL backlight function (selection by the center button) which also activates 'Time to Get Tough' accross the upper half of the screen.

What is interesting about this watch is that it has a demo mode where the watch will demo the 'Time To Get Tough'. To access this mode, one just has to press the mode button for 3 seconds. (It is the lower left button :) )

Time To Get Tough

The case back. It is the standard SS plate held by 4 tiny screws. It is matte with the standard vertical brushing. This watch was made in Japan (Japan M). The normal markings are there, module no., model no., manufacturer, water resistant, shock resistant and stainless steel back.

The buckle is gold in colour (but I doubt it is gold). It is made in Japan and the engraving looks good.

The strap on this watch is pretty stiff and feels stronger than the straps on the newer G-Shock model. It is smooth on the exterior and feels good. It wears well. Internal markings: 413 H1, 413 H2. The insides of the strap has the ridges at the side of the strap to prevent the watch from rotating on the wrist.

The 'G' button is the light button.

Another interesting thing about this watch is that it does not have a button at the top right hand of the watch. As can be seen in the picture below, the cutout is there but it has not been punched out. In standard Casio G-Shock that button would be for the light on/off function (which this watch does not have) or the lap/ reset button. The other interesting is that the bezel is different from the standard bezel as it is textured on the bottom half. I don't remember seeing this on my other G-Shocks.

So how does the watch wear? Well it is a big watch, measuring 49.5 mm across and 53 mm top to bottom. It is thick, 18 mm in fact. It is heavy. But once on the wrist, it is ok. It is not something you would wear to office on a daily basis as it would snag your shirt cuff. I like it and would get another. The display is clear, although it has a gold tint and the EL is very good, and the 'Time To Get Tough' does somehow motivate you when the going gets tough.

The only problem I have with the watch is that the display has clouded over time. I have cleaned the the display, but that it another story. :)

Michael Lau's NY FAT Gardener G-Shock DW-6900AS

The DW-6900AS, NY FAT Gardener model, designed by Michael Lau.
It was fair priced, though, the Michel Lau were already at release (April 2005) not cheap. Although the official sales price of 12000 yen, the price on internet (eBay) was around $150 ex. shipping.
The watch was for sale for a similar price shipped, so it was a good deal. My problem was that I had spend a lot of money in the summer holidays. It looks like spending the summer holidays at home is much more expensive that traveling to a an exotic destination. Luckily the seller knew how much I like this model and he agreed to hold the watch for a week, when I got my salary.
This model was mainly sold in Hong Kong. It was often offered with a Michael Lau NY FAT "Gardener Shock" vinyl mini figure. This mini figure was released on May 20th, the same day the NY FAT G-Shock was released in Hong Kong.
The website on the box does not exist anymore... In January 2007 I already obtained the Gardener Shock mini figure.
Micahel Lau is pioneer designer of Urban Vinal Toys. In 1998 Michel Lau published Gardener comics in the East Touch Magazine. He decided to make the characters of his comics in 12"and 6"vinyl as the Gardeners series.

In his series you find children, graffiti artists, basketball players, rappers, DJ's, snowboarders and skateboarders. They wear clothes inspired on popular street fashion, like Nike, Bathing Ape, etc. As fashion designer artist he knows a lot of people, like James Lavelle (designer, Mo-Wax label boss, U.N.K.L.E.) and Hardy Blechman (owner of Maharishi). These people have showed up in the Gardeners series and also did Michael Jordan.

The small mini figure (normally the mini figures are 6", this one is 4.25") wears a NY FAT logo T-Shirt and a big resin watch. I presume this watch (it is very small) represents the DW-6900AS.Although small, the figure is very good detailed, as you can see here on the pockets and the watch strap.
The DW-6900AS came with the face protector. This face protector is rarely seen on DW-6900 models. It makes this watch look very sturdy. Also it's scheme with grey lettering makes the watch looks somewhat stealth.
You might expect this watch is a Foxfire, because the watch is rated water resist 20 Bar, but on top of the face it shows Illuminator.
On the strap the NY FAT logo and the Gardeners logo (a spray painted G) are shown.

An graffiti artist is shown on the label. This figure also returns in the backlight.

The Gardener logo is also etched in the back.
From the side you can already see the impressive backlight design.It is one of the most impressive EL backlight designs I know. I think that 50% of the display is red.
You might think it is hard reading time, bit the backlight if this model does not disturb at al,
The Michael Lau will be kept safe in collection. Below you can see my garden table in the back yard at the end of the 50 Gs photo's I made Friday.

"Taxi Driver" G-Shock DW-6900H-9

In January 2001 I obtained my first "Taxi Driver", the DW-6900H-9. It was before I discovered international auction websites.




Later I managed to get a new one and also a new red version (Red Zone) . I think if you look for one good enough, you will still find one for a nice price in Germany, though after 8 years hunting, I notice they become more scarce now. No wonder, it is a 1995 release.
When released, the G-Shock brand was just launched on the European market (October 1994). It seems there was a huge demand yellow watches. Also the DW-6630B-9 has been sold in huge numbers. Casio gave names for the G-Shock models (they actually recently stopped doing this). This one is called Taxi Driver.
I think the guy responsible for giving names to G-Shock models must have been a fan of the TV show Taxi. I was a fan of the show also, and also loved the music ("Angela" by Bob James, features on the album "Touchdown", which is somewhere in my record collection)
It might be possible the DW-6900H was originally only produced for the Japanese market. While overseas models show ILLUMINATOR and WATER-200M-RESIST in the dial, this model shows FOX FIRE and WATER-20 BAR- RESIST.
On the straps there are some tattoo like prints. One is of a spider web, the other a skull and bones on a cross.
The watch was designed for "Slashers", and sometimes also nicknamed Slasher (Japan). With Slasher Casio means board riders, like Snowboarders and skateboarders. "The soul foot in motion"appears to be US slang used by "Slashers. I always thought it was some kind of Engrish for runners.
A nice detail on this watch is the black resin buckle. It's made of a very hard kind of polyurethane. It is very comfortable on the wrist, because it feels warm. The combination with the black strap keeper makes a nice sharp contrast to the "Positive Yellow"straps and bezel.
I noticed there is one drawback with the resin buckle. Once a model with a resin buckle was sent to me in a paper envelope. Though the buckles are very strong and hard, mine didn't survive the stamp machine. When opening the envelope, the buckle crumbled out of the envelope in many pieces.
The DW-6900 is always been my favorite basic model. I still remember when I saw my first DW-6900. It was worn by a barman in Antwerp somewhere Autumn 2000. I had a little talk with that guy and I immediately knew for sure I had to get myself one too.
It doesn't not only look nice, this DW-6900 wears very comfortable. As far as I know all European DW-6900H models released in 1995 have the Japan M stamp. In 2005 there was a re-release of this model, which actually looked exactly the same. Only the back differs. The re-release is made in Malaysia.
One of the coolest things of the DW-6900 in general is the EL Backlight. It is very bright (it probably also consumes quite some battery energy). The face of the DW-6900 is probably best known from the movie Mission Impossible II. Ethan Hunt wears a heavily modded DW-6900, which appears full screen a few times in the movie.

Men in Yellow Frogman G-Shock DW-8200Y-9T

So I started unpacking. Instead of one box, I found three boxes. And it was not Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) yet for months. In the first box I found my Frogman. The bright beautiful yellow. To my big surprise I found two other G-Shock's in the other bags too. I was completely amazed. A small letter told me they were gifts. Awesome.Somehow colored versions of the DW-8200 look bigger too me. I happen to own a DW-8200GF-4JF Metallic Red Frogman too. I cannot explain, but that model also looks bigger than the basic version too.
Since I got my MIY Frogman it has gotten a lot of wrist time. I pretty much like yellow and red G-Shock's. This Frog looks very big and looks quite nice on my wrist. It's also a bit heavy. Probably because the case is not made of the regular titanium, but of stainless steel. It gives you also the feel that you wear a big watch.
The Men In Yellow series were released in March 1998. It followed the Men In Black series, that were released October 1997. Where MIB were a big wink to the movie, the MIY series were the start of a new kind of series on their own. Every Men In... serie were Master of G models in a certain color pattern. From all Men In... series, the MIY series always attracted me the most. I managed to get almost all MIY models. Only the Fisherman unfortunately is missing in my collection.
My MIY Frogman is pretty much used. Not that it's in bad shape, but it has signs of wear. Of course also because I wear it also from time to time. I have been looking out for new straps and maybe a new bezel for it, but unfortunately I haven't run into them. I have other plans in the near future, but when I have bought those G's I will dig into Yahoo JP to find a pair of straps and a bezel for my Frog. It would be great to have my Frog in like new state.
In 2000 the last Men in ... series were released. The Men In White Gray. In that time the term Master of G slowly disappeared, until suddenly in 2006 Casio revives the term for the new G-9000 Mudman model. In 2007 the G-9100 Gulfman was revived and lately totally unexpected the Riseman celebrated it's comeback!
Barely the Riseman was released or the rumor of an orange Riseman appears. Not soon later (in fact less than 10 minutes) I found out that a new Men In Rescue Orange will be released in September. Awesome! Go Casio, Go!!!

Black Knight G-Shock DW-8200BK-1JF Real Black Frogman

I love all my frogs but this DW-8200BK-1JF Real Black is always in the top three. Its unique pink display, black bezel and rarity make it a truly collectible item. When I got my first Real Black frog for collection, I originally planned to buy one more for wear but it ended up with four but none for wear!

I know it was quite ridiculous for buying four holy grails but didn't wear even one. So some months ago, I decided to take out one for wear. Don't laugh! It is already a big step forward to me.

I really love it and it occupies 70% of my wrist time if I wear a G's.

In my heart now, G's is no longer an ordinary electronic watch, it is my collection. Frogman? It is the starting point of all my other G's collections.