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The Casio G-SHOCK Mudmaster GWG-B1000 is the new star in the G-SHOCK sky. The watch manufacturer has given its outdoor watch a thorough facelift. There are three references. I was able to hold them in my hands before the market launch. How much has Casio really changed? Is the change to the ninth generation worth it? We will find out this and much more together…
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A new top dog on the turf
Casio adds a new flagship to the Mudmaster line. Or rather, three new flagships. Today, September 28, 2023, the Japanese watch giant unveiled its new outdoor queen. GWGW-1000 and 2000 are followed by GWG-B1000. The three new references present themselves in eye-catching color combinations and look more G-SHOCK than ever – bulky as well as with corners and edges. The Transformers of the G-SHOCK family, you could say. All three watches cost 799.00 euros at market launch. This means that Casio is charging us an extra 50 euros compared to the predecessor. Whether this is reflected in the upgrade of the adventure watch or you should rather reach for models like the Casio G-SHOCK GWG-2000-1A5ER, we want to find out in the first watch review.
In fact, I was lucky enough to be able to put the new Mudmaster under the microscope a few days before its release. On the Danish beach, I was able to wear the perhaps most functional G-SHOCKs ever on my wrist for the first time. I’ll say it right away: no, I didn’t get into a mud fight with the watches. The stress test for man and material did not occur. After all, the watches are not mine and I have not yet been able to test the functions. Nevertheless, I got a pretty good idea of how the Mudmaster wears in everyday life.
At a glance – my first impression
GWG-B1000-1AER, GWG-B1000-1A4ER and GWG-B1000-3AER are designations that are easily confused. Remember this much: the GWG-B1000-1AER is something of a basic reference: plain, kept in black and gray tones, and accented with gold. This is also my personal favorite, by the way. If there’s a 4 in the reference, it gets a bit more colorful. The GWG-B1000-1A4ER features a burgundy resin band and smaller details in red. Then there is the GWG-B1000-3AER in dark green camouflage. Colors are a matter of taste. It’s best to pick your favorite.
Sensibly improved in the right places – the housing
At its core, the new Mudmaster is still a typical Mudmaster. This sentence may seem a bit platitudinous, but it still describes the philosophy with which Casio designed the GWG-B1000. This is immediately apparent from the case, which protects the module and dial from the dangers of nature like a futuristic suit of armor. The design is said to have been inspired by off-road vehicles. The first innovation of the facelift can be seen at first glance: Compared to its two predecessors, Casio has shrunk the Mudmaster. With its new dimensions (52.10 mm in width, 58.70 mm in length and 16.20 mm in height), it looks much better to me. In my eyes, the GWG-B1000 also looks a bit more plastic and somehow more masculine. The proven Guard structure now also protects the sore spot, the crown….
Casio speaks of a new development at this point. I find the creative use of different materials particularly interesting. The bezel and its upper as well as lower cover are made of stainless steel. On the other hand, resin is used for the left and right button protectors (the latter protects the crown). The familiar synthetic resin has been reinforced with carbon fibers. In the interests of sustainability, the resin is now bio-based. This simplifies recycling and decomposition of the material later on.
At Casio, they seem to be very proud of the metal injection molding process used to manufacture the front key protector. However, the real highlight is the DLC coating on the surfaces.
More than just “nice to have”
Seals as well as stainless steel cylindrical components protect the inside of the case from grains of sand, dust or water. The well-known a-gel shields the internal module against vibrations.
The interaction of the materials in the Guard structure is impressive. You run your finger over the surfaces and feel a sense of value. It’s almost too bad to take the Mudmaster out into the rough desert right now. However, when adventures are on the horizon (and it is well known that the Mudmaster clientele is quite adventurous), it becomes apparent that the high-quality premium materials and their meticulous workmanship are more than just “nice to have”. No G-SHOCK lives up to its name like this, is so shock resistant. Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal also has a positive effect on the longevity of the watch. Its anti-reflective coating allows for optimal readability, even with strong light reflections.
The Casio G-SHOCK Mudmaster GWG-B1000 on the wrist
Although stainless steel components are now installed, the Casio G-SHOCK Mudmaster GWG-B1000 has only gained minimally on the scales and remains pleasantly light. Its 114 grams are hardly noticeable. This allows you to concentrate on the essentials – steering the jeep over the dunes, beating your way through the rainforest with a machete, or whatever else you do as an adventurer. The Carbon Core Guard Structure (the resin-carbon part of the case) sits comfortably against the skin and makes for an excellent feel.
Admittedly, the (current) Mudmaster GWG-2000 also masters the listed skills excellently. However, Casio has gone one step further and improved its construction in a sensible way. Everyone has to decide for themselves how relevant the “upgrades” are.
The movement – powered by Casio’s Tough Solar System
It hardly comes as a surprise, but the Casio G-SHOCK Mudmaster GWG-B1000 is also powered by the Tough Solar System. You know, it’s all about the technology where tiny solar cells sit invisibly under the dial and convert solar energy into electricity, which in turn powers the battery in the module. Excess energy can be stored. Since the Mudmaster uses sunlight very efficiently, you won’t be at risk of being without a working watch even on expeditions in caves.
How the Casio G-SHOCK Mudmaster GWG-B1000 helps you to survive
During the course of testing, I found that Casio has thoroughly cleaned up the dial of the G-SHOCK Mudmaster GWG-B1000. I’m still a fan of the fusion of digital and analog displays that the Mudmaster has always had going for it. Now the elements are more organized, clearer, and easier to read. However, that doesn’t mean that the dial will be self-explanatory from now on. After all, we’re not dealing with a typical chronograph here.
At 3 o’clock, there is a totalizer. It is used as a compass and indicates bearing angles. Opposite at 9 o’clock, we have a multi-function display. For example, altitude differences are measured there in 10-meter increments. The altitude itself, in turn, is indicated on the digital display. Alternatively, the altimeter can also be used as a barometer. Then it indicates the pressure difference on the analog display or the pressure on the digital display. An additional thermometer at the current location is also useful. In the dark, a super illuminator lights up the dial.
In the wilderness, these would be the most important key figures besides water resistance to a maximum depth of 200 meters, but of course not all. An automatic calendar, world time function, sunrise and sunset display, timer, alarms and even a phone finder are also on board. The CASIOWATCHES app is not absolutely necessary, but it is more intuitive to use. Here, your data is processed and visualized. We will find out how the functions perform in practice in due time in another YouTube video.
My conclusion about the Casio G-SHOCK Mudmaster GWG-B1000
It’s still a bit early to commit. But even after a short first impression, it’s clear: the Mudmaster remains probably one of the best outdoor watches you can currently buy on the market. ‘Outdoor watch’ – by that I mean timepieces of just that sort, which are less focused on the health aspect of a smartwatch as well as not reliant on the internet. The Mudmaster is out of competition. This is perhaps less noticeable in the office, where the watch has no significant advantages over a GM-B2100 or M-TG. It only comes into its own when things get extreme and even robust G-SHOCKs reach their limits. As an all-rounder, it dives deep enough, has a high-quality build, and its design appeals to those who have never had anything to do with a discreet three-hand watch.
For adventurers, survival athletes and survivalists, there’s no question: the G-SHOCK Mudmaster GWG-B1000 is the perfect watch for you! This is also true for everyone who wants to feel like this every now and then. If you’ve been wearing the Mudman so far and are now thinking about an upgrade, you should take a closer look at its big sister. If you own a reference from the previous Mudmaster generation, this only applies to a limited extent. And if you have just bought a new one, you don’t have to change. The GWG-2000 is hardly worse in the decisive aspects. On the other hand, those who have to or want to retire them should also get one. The same applies to owners of the very first GWG-1000, whose production is now coming to an end.
In the following, you’ll find all further information about the watch as well as the references!
More about Casio and the G-SHOCK Mudmaster GWG-B1000
Here you can find the GWG-B1000-1AER
The GWG-B1000-1A4ER in the store
The GWG-B1000-3AER in the store
More Casio watch reviews in my blog
Best G-SHOCK Site: https://www.g-central.com
