Master of G
Encyclopedia
The Master of G series is a collection of G-Shock
watches produced by Japanese
electronics and wristwatch manufacturer Casio
in the late 1990s. There were several models in the range, as these were designed for use in harsh environments, and many were designed to showcase a new form of technology
that Casio would eventually introduce into the G-Shock and ProTrek outdoor ranges, such as the Tough Solar
power source, altimeter function and digital compass
.
model, however at this stage the watch was not called a Frogman. The Frogman
was a heavy divers model that featured a unique asymmetrical design of thick rubber shielding around a self-contained module, with titanium screw-back case—an unusually high-cost design. A thick double-tang resin strap and multitude of digital features including dive timing completed a competent diver's watch. The Frogman proved to be very popular, and this is presumably one of the key reasons why at some point between then and 1995 Casio decided to produce more high-end premium models, and with them limited edition colour variants that, due to their scarcity, have in some cases become very valuable indeed.
It seems that the last of the "first wave" of Masters watches ceased production around 2000, but there are signs Casio is keen to keep the range alive, not just with limited edition releases but with re-designs of some of the old Masters, such as the new Mudman
models released in 2006, followed by new Gulfman models in 2007.
Three of the current Masters of G have been included in a new collection launched on February 2009, the Men In Rusty Black (MIRB) series. The watches under this theme, which include the Riseman (GW-9200MS), the Frogman (GW-200MS) and the Mudman (G-9000MS), are said to feature a military-inspired look.
designs Casio produces, usually suited for those with larger wrists. They almost always named with a "man" suffix, after the initial Frogman model which itself was named for scuba divers. Three models, the Mudman
, Gaussman and Raysman all feature a thick rubber outer layer that surrounds the buttons and case completely, ensuring they offer mud-resistance. The Gaussman was also ISO-certified anti-magnetic.
Most models consist of a steel case surrounded by a thick neoprene
or polyurethane
bezel and outer protection. All models except the earliest Frogmen feature Casio's Illuminator display lighting system and are water resistant to 20 atmospheres (20bar/200metres), and are thus suitable for scuba-diving except at depths requiring helium-oxygen gas.
Some of the modules incorporate highly advanced functions. The Riseman featured twin sensors that measured both temperature
and atmospheric pressure
, thus allowing it to serve as a barometer
and altimeter
. The Raysman was the first model to make use of Tough Solar
technology to power its functions, the Wademan featured a digital compass
, the Fisherman
helped introduce the now-common tide graph and moonphase readouts, and the Antman was the first watch Casio made that received an atomic signal that calibrated its timekeeping with atomic clock transponders in Japan
.
Today, it is not unusual for two or more of these features to be found in a single Master of G model i.e. the current GW-9200 Riseman has Tough Solar to power its radio-calibrated timekeeping and thermometer/altimeter/barometer functions; the GWF-1000 Frogman and GW-9110 Gulfman both feature solar power, radio timekeeping and tide and moon phase indicators. The current Mudman, designated as the GW-9300, has one of the most extensive feature sets by far, with mud/dust resistance, solar power, radio timekeeping, moon phase display, thermometer and digital compass functions.
) condition command a premium. Prices are sometimes higher outside of Japan, not least because many models were produced only for the domestic market rather than for North America and Europe.
There have been several limited editions of the Masters series, and depending on their scarcity these command some of the highest prices for any of Casio watches. The Men in Black and Men in Yellow series are black and yellow versions of the Masters and typically command anywhere between two and three times the resale value of the regular versions. Some models such as the "Brazilian" Frogman and A.R.T.P.I Wademan are even scarcer and can command even higher prices, though their value is hard to predict as there are limited numbers and the price is largely determined by demand from individual collectors.
Although not always available, all models are usually valued at 500 USD or less, providing an affordable alternative to the collecting of prestige watches.
G-Shock
G-Shock is a brand of watches manufactured by Casio, known for its resistance to shocks . They were, and continue to be, designed primarily for sports, military, and outdoor adventure oriented activity; for example, practically all G-Shocks have some kind of stopwatch feature, countdown timer,...
watches produced by Japanese
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
electronics and wristwatch manufacturer Casio
Casio
is a multinational electronic devices manufacturing company founded in 1946, with its headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Casio is best known for its electronic products, such as calculators, audio equipment, PDAs, cameras, musical instruments, and watches...
in the late 1990s. There were several models in the range, as these were designed for use in harsh environments, and many were designed to showcase a new form of technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
that Casio would eventually introduce into the G-Shock and ProTrek outdoor ranges, such as the Tough Solar
Tough Solar
Tough Solar is the name given by Casio to the solar powered battery charging system used in its G-Shock line of watches....
power source, altimeter function and digital compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
.
History
The Master of G series began in 1985 with the G-Shock II, model number DW-5500C. This was a classic square G-Shock, but the bezel contained softer parts and slipped over the buttons. This way Casio created a Mud Resistant structure. The DW-5500C was therefore nicknamed "Mudman". It took until November before Casio came up with the FrogmanFrogman
A frogman is someone who is trained to scuba diving or swim underwater in a military capacity which can include combat. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver or combatant diver or combat swimmer....
model, however at this stage the watch was not called a Frogman. The Frogman
Frogman
A frogman is someone who is trained to scuba diving or swim underwater in a military capacity which can include combat. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver or combatant diver or combat swimmer....
was a heavy divers model that featured a unique asymmetrical design of thick rubber shielding around a self-contained module, with titanium screw-back case—an unusually high-cost design. A thick double-tang resin strap and multitude of digital features including dive timing completed a competent diver's watch. The Frogman proved to be very popular, and this is presumably one of the key reasons why at some point between then and 1995 Casio decided to produce more high-end premium models, and with them limited edition colour variants that, due to their scarcity, have in some cases become very valuable indeed.
It seems that the last of the "first wave" of Masters watches ceased production around 2000, but there are signs Casio is keen to keep the range alive, not just with limited edition releases but with re-designs of some of the old Masters, such as the new Mudman
Mudman
Mudman may refer to:* Kim Jones , an American performance artist also known as Mudman.* Casio G-Shock Mudman, a watch* Mudman, a character in the World Heroes series of games....
models released in 2006, followed by new Gulfman models in 2007.
Three of the current Masters of G have been included in a new collection launched on February 2009, the Men In Rusty Black (MIRB) series. The watches under this theme, which include the Riseman (GW-9200MS), the Frogman (GW-200MS) and the Mudman (G-9000MS), are said to feature a military-inspired look.
Models
- Antman, discontinued -
- Codename, discontinued -
- Fisherman, discontinued -
- FrogmanCasio G-Shock FrogmanThe Frogman is a high-end model of the Casio G-Shock line of watches. It was one of the first models of the "Master of G" line, a line of G-Shock watches designed for special uses. The Frogman has an asymmetric shape and is attached eccentrically on its straps...
, current models are GWF-1000 (atomic)and GF-1000 (non-atomic) - Seaman, discontinued
- Gaussman, discontinued -
- Gulfman, current model is GW-9110 (atomic)
- Lungman, discontinued -
- Mudman, current models are GW-9300 (atomic) and G-9300 (non-atomic)
- Raysman, discontinued -
- Revman, discontinued -
- Riseman, current models are GW-9200 (atomic) and G-9200 (non-atomic)
- Wademan, discontinued -
Characteristics
Master of G series watches are invariably amongst the largest G-ShockG-Shock
G-Shock is a brand of watches manufactured by Casio, known for its resistance to shocks . They were, and continue to be, designed primarily for sports, military, and outdoor adventure oriented activity; for example, practically all G-Shocks have some kind of stopwatch feature, countdown timer,...
designs Casio produces, usually suited for those with larger wrists. They almost always named with a "man" suffix, after the initial Frogman model which itself was named for scuba divers. Three models, the Mudman
Mudman
Mudman may refer to:* Kim Jones , an American performance artist also known as Mudman.* Casio G-Shock Mudman, a watch* Mudman, a character in the World Heroes series of games....
, Gaussman and Raysman all feature a thick rubber outer layer that surrounds the buttons and case completely, ensuring they offer mud-resistance. The Gaussman was also ISO-certified anti-magnetic.
Most models consist of a steel case surrounded by a thick neoprene
Neoprene
Neoprene or polychloroprene is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene. Neoprene in general has good chemical stability, and maintains flexibility over a wide temperature range...
or polyurethane
Polyurethane
A polyurethane is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate links. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization, by reacting a monomer with another monomer in the presence of a catalyst.Polyurethanes are...
bezel and outer protection. All models except the earliest Frogmen feature Casio's Illuminator display lighting system and are water resistant to 20 atmospheres (20bar/200metres), and are thus suitable for scuba-diving except at depths requiring helium-oxygen gas.
Some of the modules incorporate highly advanced functions. The Riseman featured twin sensors that measured both temperature
Temperature
Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold. Objects of low temperature are cold, while various degrees of higher temperatures are referred to as warm or hot...
and atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area exerted into a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the atmosphere of Earth . In most circumstances atmospheric pressure is closely approximated by the hydrostatic pressure caused by the weight of air above the measurement point...
, thus allowing it to serve as a barometer
Barometer
A barometer is a scientific instrument used in meteorology to measure atmospheric pressure. Pressure tendency can forecast short term changes in the weather...
and altimeter
Altimeter
An altimeter is an instrument used to measure the altitude of an object above a fixed level. The measurement of altitude is called altimetry, which is related to the term bathymetry, the measurement of depth underwater.-Pressure altimeter:...
. The Raysman was the first model to make use of Tough Solar
Tough Solar
Tough Solar is the name given by Casio to the solar powered battery charging system used in its G-Shock line of watches....
technology to power its functions, the Wademan featured a digital compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
, the Fisherman
Fisherman
A fisherman or fisher is someone who captures fish and other animals from a body of water, or gathers shellfish. Worldwide, there are about 38 million commercial and subsistence fishermen and fish farmers. The term can also be applied to recreational fishermen and may be used to describe both men...
helped introduce the now-common tide graph and moonphase readouts, and the Antman was the first watch Casio made that received an atomic signal that calibrated its timekeeping with atomic clock transponders in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Today, it is not unusual for two or more of these features to be found in a single Master of G model i.e. the current GW-9200 Riseman has Tough Solar to power its radio-calibrated timekeeping and thermometer/altimeter/barometer functions; the GWF-1000 Frogman and GW-9110 Gulfman both feature solar power, radio timekeeping and tide and moon phase indicators. The current Mudman, designated as the GW-9300, has one of the most extensive feature sets by far, with mud/dust resistance, solar power, radio timekeeping, moon phase display, thermometer and digital compass functions.
Collectibility
Because they are no longer in production most of the Masters series command strong resale values; examples in NOS (New Old StockNew old stock
New old stock refers to obsolete equipment, or original parts for obsolete equipment, that have never been sold at retail.The term refers to merchandise being offered for sale which was manufactured long ago but that has never been used...
) condition command a premium. Prices are sometimes higher outside of Japan, not least because many models were produced only for the domestic market rather than for North America and Europe.
There have been several limited editions of the Masters series, and depending on their scarcity these command some of the highest prices for any of Casio watches. The Men in Black and Men in Yellow series are black and yellow versions of the Masters and typically command anywhere between two and three times the resale value of the regular versions. Some models such as the "Brazilian" Frogman and A.R.T.P.I Wademan are even scarcer and can command even higher prices, though their value is hard to predict as there are limited numbers and the price is largely determined by demand from individual collectors.
Although not always available, all models are usually valued at 500 USD or less, providing an affordable alternative to the collecting of prestige watches.