Unreleased Casio G-Shock 'CasioNaut' gets early hands-on review showing magnetic hands in action

Casio’s upcoming G-Shock 2500, nicknamed the “CasioNaut”, were first spotted on Casio’s Japanese website in September, with a November 2026 release planned for Japan. Now, YouTube channel Gi-Shock-Go has published what appears to be one of the first hands-on reviews of the unreleased GMC-2500D-1A.

In the 24-minute video, the reviewer unboxes a silver GMC-2500D with a black dial and stainless-steel bracelet. He claims to have acquired the watch ahead of its official release, thanks to assistance from an acquaintance. The footage offers an extended look at the actual watch, including close-ups of its dial, bracelet and case.

The most interesting part of the review is a demonstration of Casio’s new magnetic hand-retention mechanism. The watch’s hands use a magnetic holding structure designed to reduce the risk of damage from impacts, and the reviewer demonstrates this by striking the watch against his palm, causing the minute hand to visibly shift away from its original position before returning.

Casio says this behaviour is intentional. The company’s documentation for module 5757 explicitly states that shocks and vibrations can temporarily displace the minute hand, which should return to its normal position within a few minutes. 

The video also provides a closer look at the GMC-2500D’s unusual dial layout. It features a small-seconds subdial at 9 o’clock and a three-digit rolling date display at 3 o’clock, alongside textured hour markers and an amber LED illumination system.

As previously reported, the watch measures 46.7 × 43.8 × 12.9mm and weighs 138g. It features a mineral crystal, 200m water resistance and a conventional battery with an estimated two-year lifespan. The broader G-Shock 2500 collection comprises nine variants spanning resin, metal-bezel and full-metal designs.

The GMC-2500D-1AJF and GMC-2500D-1A2JF are scheduled to launch in Japan in November 2026 for ¥49,500 ($315) each. The reviewer suggests the full-metal models could cost around $350 in the US, though American pricing and availability have not yet been officially confirmed.