HotSpin Vol. 9 G-Shock Issue 1998

Been seeing a bunch of posts on social media these past few days celebrating 40 years of Casio’s iconic G-Shock model so I thought it was only right to release this issue of HotSpin. In this issue, the main focus is the best G-Shock watches of 1998, which marked the 25th anniversary. The first model, DW5000C, was released in 1983 and acted as a more rugged and tough version of other Casio models.

Timeline of G-Shock Models

It wasn’t until around 1992 or the 6000 series watches were released that the macho silhouette everyone remembers was released. Taking direct inspiration from car tires, these models had a muscular, robust shape. As the G-Shock grew in popularity, Casio began to experiment with different styles like Baby-G, G-Cool, Metal Guard, and Frogman. With these different styles came new materials like metal and titanium on certain models as well as crazy color-ways.

Various G-Shock Models

Another defining feature of the G-Shock that came about in the 90’s was the unique light-up background images available on different models. While many watch enthusiasts looked down on battery powered watches, the advantage to battery power was nearly unlimited features. G-Shocks were typically equipped with a stopwatch, timer, full date, exact seconds, alarm, and sometimes more, all while being completely waterproof up to 200m. In the dark, if users needed to see the time, they could press on the big G button in the center to illuminate the face of the watch. Special editions of these watches would show a cool image on the face of the watch when lit up.

G-Shock Lovers Collection

This ‘Lovers Collection’ is the perfect example of the unique designs on the face and the strap. Sold in a couples two pack with a G-Shock and matching Baby-G, the watches feature cute contrasting sayings like “kiss the devil” and “kiss the angel” on the strap paired with light up angel and devil motifs on the face. Special editions like this one became all the rage in the late 90’s with Casio beginning to do collaborations with Eric Haze, Stüssy, FILA, MTV, Nissan, and others.

Maybe it’s just me and my nostalgia for the era, but when I was growing up, G-Shock’s were all the craze in in the streetwear scene. I remember my dad coming home with G-Shock collaborations with Batman, Pepsi, and Mountain Dew and my brother and I would always argue over wearing them to school. I was never really a big watch person but I still have fond memories of going with my brother to buy his first G-Shock to call his own. The salesmen tried to get him to get a Baby-G as his wrists were still pretty small but he insisted on getting a full size one bright red and orange. He’s moved on to Rolex’s and other watches now but talking with him the other day and he said he still has all the old G-Shocks from when we were growing up.

I’ll have to make a post on this in the future but I’ve recently been super intrigued in the idea that many products in the 90’s used yellow and dark grey to signify strong and rugged products. I feel like it has to do with the construction or something like that but I’m not sure. To finish off this issue of HotSpin, we have some really interesting watches from a number of other brands such as Seiko, O’Neill, Rolex, Citizen, and others. The 90’s were such a wild time for watch designs, it’s crazy to see these from just 20 or so years boasting tons of different features and functions and then looking at everyone wearing Apple watches in 2023.

As usual, this full issue of HotSpin from 1998 is available to download at the very bottom for all paid subscribers, enjoy!