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WATCH NEWS
October 15, 2020
The "AW-500," originally released in 1989, is reissued, with a full-metal model also launched | G-SHOCK
G-SHOCK | G-SHOCK
G-SHOCK's First Analog/Digital Combination Watch Reissued and Refined
The "AW-500," G-SHOCK's first analog and digital combination model released in 1989, is reissued in a full-metal version, the "AWM-500D/AWM-500GD," and a resin version, the "AW-500E/AW-500BB," recreated from original blueprints. Both will be released on Friday, November 20, 2020.
Text by OZAKI Sayaka | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi
The "AW-500's" Supple Form Recreated in Full Metal and Resin
Following the debut of the first model in 1983, G-SHOCK had only released square digital models. The "AW-500" was developed with the concept of an "analog watch with hands that will never fall off," marking a new endeavor for the brand. It overturned the conventional wisdom that analog watches, with their numerous mechanical components like hands and gears, were inherently fragile to impact. By reducing the weight of the main unit, shock resistance was improved in this analog-digital combination watch.
The newly released "AWM-500D/AWM-500GD" are radio-controlled, solar-powered models that inherit the form of the "AW-500" while being fully metalized. Applying the technology cultivated during the development of the "GMW-B5000D" (2018), which recreated the shape of the first G-SHOCK in full metal, a buffer of fine resin is used between the metal case and bezel to achieve the full-metal construction. The supple form of the "AW-500" is reproduced by giving rounded edges to the band links that connect to the case. Furthermore, by meticulously applying different surface treatments such as hairline and mirror finishes to each part of the bezel, the metallic texture is fully brought out.
AWM-500D / AWM-500GD
- Ref. | AWM-500D-1AJF, AWM-500D-1A8JF, AWM-500GD-9AJF
- Movement | Tough Solar (Solar charging system)
- Continuous operation time | Approx. 28 months with power saving
- Functions | Radio wave reception, World Time: 48 cities (31 time zones, UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) with daylight saving time setting function), home city swapping function, Stopwatch (1/100 second, 60-minute timer, split), Timer (1-second unit, set unit: 1 second, maximum set: 100 minutes), Alarm (5 daily alarms, hourly time signal), Hand shift feature, Battery indicator display, Power saving function, Full auto-calendar, 12/24-hour format switching, Operation sound ON/OFF switching function, Double LED light (Full auto light, Super illuminator, afterglow function, selectable afterglow duration (1.5 seconds/3 seconds))
- Case material | Stainless Steel
- Case size | 51.8 × 44.5 × 14.2 mm
- Bracelet material | Stainless Steel
- Water resistance | 20 bar
- Price | ¥66,000 (AWM-500D-1AJF, AWM-500D-1A8JF), ¥74,800 (AWM-500GD-9AJF) *All prices include tax
Simultaneously released is the resin reissue model "AW-500E/AW-500BB," redesigned based on the paper blueprints from that era. Faithfully adhering to the original, it features a combination of a black base with white indexes and minute hands, and red hour hands. Additionally, three models offer new arrangements on the "AW-500": an all-black version and a red version.
AW-500E / AW-500BB
- Ref. | AW-500E-1EJF, AW-500BB-1EJF, AW-500BB-4EJF
- Power source | Battery (CR2016)
- Battery life | Approx. 7 years
- Functions | 1/100-second stopwatch (00'00"00 to 59'59"99), 1-second (1:00'00" to 23:59'59"); 24-hour timer, Dual time, Alarm, EL backlight (with afterglow), Full auto-calendar, 12/24-hour format switching
- Case material | Resin
- Case size | 55.2 × 47.7 × 14.7 mm
- Strap material | Resin
- Water resistance | 20 bar
- Price | ¥14,300 (AW-500E-1EJF, AW-500BB-1EJF, AW-500BB-4EJF) *All prices include tax
Inquiries
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Customer Service Center
Tel. 03-5334-4869 (Watch inquiries only)
https://g-shock.jp