Casio drops j-pop collab – g-shock gets a rainbow makeover

Japanese watch giant Casio is shaking up the G-Shock lineup with a bold new partnership and striking designs. Forget subtle refinements; they’re delivering a digital-analogue hybrid that screams neon.

Xg x g-shock: a surprisingly vibrant union

The collaboration with J-Pop group XG is already generating buzz. These aren’t your dad’s durable timepieces. The two watches, the GMS5600XG-1 and GMAS110XG-4A, are a deliberate departure, leaning heavily into maximalist aesthetics. Casio, known for its understated engineering, seems to have embraced a playful, almost aggressively colorful direction.

The GMS5600XG-1 immediately grabs attention with its black ion-plated bezel and a frankly audacious rainbow vapour deposition glass. Paired with a matte black resin case and strap, it’s a statement piece – a digital-analogue beast. Then there’s the GMAS110XG-4A, a kinetic watch boasting a speed indicator dials and two digital displays, featuring a hot pink resin casing and strap, accented with glitter.

Tech specs – beneath the flash

Don’t mistake the eye-catching exterior for a lack of substance. Both models share core G-Shock features: 200 meters of water resistance, a stopwatch, timer, and alarm functionality. World time support is also included, catering to the global ambitions of its ambassadors. It’s a familiar formula, expertly executed with a decidedly more flamboyant twist.

While a precise US release date remains elusive – the watches are slated for 12 June in Japan – Casio has already listed them on their US store. At $20 and $280 respectively, these aren’t impulse buys. These are deliberate statements. And frankly, they're a welcome injection of energy into a market that often prioritizes muted functionality over genuine visual impact – a surprising move from a brand typically associated with rugged durability.

From: Esquire UK