Casio refreshes classic G-Shock models with brighter LED backlights and better battery life
Alongside the flashy new GA-2100K lineup and the MTG-B4000, Casio is modernizing some of its most enduring G-Shock workhorses. The company has refreshed a few fan-favorite models with updated modules, swapping out the old-school Electro-luminescent (EL) backlight for a modern, high-brightness LED.
First up is the G-Shock GW-6900-1JF, a direct update to the GW-6900-1 that has been a staple since 2009. The new model packs Casio’s updated 3547 module and replaces the EL backlight with a more power-efficient fluorescent LED. The design and feature set are unchanged, with the watch still offering the signature shock resistance, 200-meter water resistance, Tough Solar charging, and Multiband 6 support, which lets it receive standard time signals from six stations around the world.
Casio is also refreshing the GW-2310 series. The new GW-2310UFB-1 and GW-2310U-1 arrive as upgraded versions of the GW-2310FB-1 (2012) and GW-2310-1 (2009), respectively. The GW-2310U sticks with a standard positive display paired with the new high-brightness LED backlight, while the GW-2310UFB-1 opts for an inverted LCD, with both watches otherwise identical in other respects, featuring Tough Solar, world time for 48 cities, Multiband 6 radio-controlled time correction, automatic calendar, stopwatch, shock resistance, and 200-meter water resistance.
Don’t expect any big feature upgrades here. The new modules don’t add support for Bluetooth or multi-date formats, with the LED backlight being the only major change. That said, the more efficient LED light does improve the battery life slightly for all three models. For instance, the GW-6900U is now rated for up to 10 months of operation without solar charging, up from nine months on the original 2009 model.
The G-Shock GW-6900U-1JF will go on sale later this month in Japan for ¥24,200, while the GW-2310UFB-1 and GW-2310U-1 will be priced at ¥22,000. All three models are expected to roll out to global markets, including the UK, Europe, and the US, in the coming months.
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