G-Shock Watch Reviews: King of All G’s GX56-1A, GXW-56E-JF

G-Shock King of All G’s GX56-1A Review

Case: Black Resin

Case Diameter: 55.5mm

Bezel: Fixed

Crystal: Mineral

Dial: Black/Red

Strap: Black Resin

Movement: Quartz

Strap Width: 32mm

Power Reserve: 11 months

Water Resistant: 200m

  G-Shock went with the old theory of “go big or go home”, go big they did! The so called King of All G’s is the GX56 and GXW-56 series. Quick clarity of the difference between the GX and GXW, GXW is atomic and GX is not. The watch is massive, large and in charge, monstrous, you gotta love it! It is a puny 55.5mm x 53.6mm x 17.5mm and is likely the toughest and most shock resistant watch on the market.

  The GX56-1A screams masculinity, with it’s crisp hard resin case lines. This version is mainly black with accented areas of red. These include the four pushers, writing on strap, Shock Absorber on dial, resin around case back, and the newest shock resistant material Alpha Gel visible on the dial edges. Like all G-Shocks there are more features than you likely would every use, nice to have should you need them. Tough Solar Power is fantastic feature, not only do you not have to worry about not changing batteries, on a full charge the GX56-1A will run 11 months w/o further exposure to light. Impressive and convenient! Those familiar with G-Shocks will know most the standard features. Some quick notable features are 200m of water resistance, full auto EL backlight with afterglow, mud resistant, battery life indicator, world timer, 4 alarms, and of course shock resistant. Lastly, adding to the overall mean and stealth factor is the negative display. W&R has had this watch for well over a year now and find this to be one the easier to read negative displays. The watch has been worn without worry of what may happen to it, needless to say it has been abused. You would hardly know with only some minor wear marks, which is pretty amazing.

Pros - Tough, mud resistant, 11 month power reserve, manly

Consideration - Can you handle the size?

G-Shock Black & Blue Atomic King GXW-56E Review

Case: Black Resin

Case Diameter: 55.5mm

Bezel: Fixed

Crystal: Mineral

Dial: Black/Blue

Strap: Black Resin

Movement: Quartz

Strap Width: 32mm

Power Reserve: 11 months

Water Resistant: 200m

  When G-Shock released the GXW-56E Black & Blue King, they seemed to disappear as quickly as they had arrived. Is the GXW-56E-1JF (full ref #) truly a limited edition? Certainly seems this way, a few arrived in US and quickly disappeared. Even Stranger was the fact that the watch was being sold for $90 on few different sites. First, no G-Shock King even comes close to being sub $100. Secondly, an atomic version will always drive a steeper premium. Especially, in the United States where atomic Kings typically do not get released.

  The watch itself is awesome, W&R was lucky enough to snag one before they disappeared. Aesthetically, the black and blue works very well, almost a stealthy look in person. The “G-Shock” on the bezel is an electric blue, the side pusher along with the case back are a deep navy blue, and the visible Alpha Gel is a metallic blue. The functions of the GXW-56E are the same as other GX56 models except for one major feature, this Black & Blue King is atomic. All Kings are GX or GXW, the “W” denotes that the watch is atomic. What is an atomic watch? It is a watch that receives low frequency radio signals nightly that synchronize it with that regions closest atomic clock. For example, in the US it syncs with the atomic clock located in Colorado. Atomic watches are the most accurate watches do to this nightly synchronization.

  Below is a picture of W&R King after a successful sync with the atomic clock:

                                                       GET - refers to the last date of a successful sync

                                                       8-18 - the date of successful sync

                                                       1:04 - the time of successful sync

  If you are in the market for a King of All G’s, this is great choice if you can find one. The blue colors used by Casio G-Shock are seemingly well thought out. They compliment the watch well in very subtle, but noticeable way.

Pros - Atomic, limited, mud resistant, 11 month power reserve, manly

Consideration - Price has been driven up by limited availability if you can find one