The 2011 Casio G-Shock GDF 100 comes equipped with a two-in-one front-facing pressure and temperature sensor. Although its exterior styling is light years away from something that is usually associated with a ‘pilot’s watch’, it is (rather unsurprisingly, I would say) also way more usable for those who actually fly something more powerful than an office chair. People who prefer an active lifestyle will probably like one, too.
The altimeter, which is touted as the timekeeper’s main selling point, is placed into an ugly wart growing from the gadget’s resin bezel at 9 o’clock, which is a pity since the gadget’s oversized body is large enough for the sensor to be safely tucked away from our eyes.
Well, knowing Casio‘s approach to industrial design (at least when it comes to lower-priced members of the G-Shock family) the wart may actually be put there intentionally just to show off the sensor in question.
As usual for the iconic G-Shock range, the new GDF100 will be literally loaded with features.
Besides the aforementioned barometer and thermometer, the timekeeper can also serve as an altimeter, a stopwatch, and a countdown timer.
Other functions include a world time with 31 time zones, five daily alarms, an hourly time signal, and a full auto-calendar good till the year 2099.
Too bad, there is no pulsometer.
Like most rugged sports watches, this one is also large measuring 55 x 51.5 mm in width and height and more than 17 millimeters thick.
As one can easily visualize, it will gladly take all available space on your wrist (and, in most cases, then some,) but that is okay: after all, we don’t buy G-Shocks to wear with tuxedos. We buy them to use as beaters that can take some lickin’ and keep on tickin’. Well, maybe not literally, but the huge resin case is here not just for looks, it is designed to keep the electronic module that powers dozens of its functions from all sorts of dangers, save, perhaps, for a tactical nuclear blast.
It is still rather light tipping the scales at 69.2 grams, but that’s something to be expected from a gadget that limits the use of metal just to its ‘core’ that is designed to further protect the tiny electronic module from shocks.
The GDF 100‘s LCD display with LED backlight system is protected with mineral glass. Although mineral crystals are not as good as synthetic sapphire ones when it comes to scratches, they are also a lot more difficult to shatter in case of a bad accident.
The collection will be offered in three color variations (Matte Black with orange accents (GDF100-1B,) Matte Black with silver accents (GDF100-1A,) and Crimson Red with black accents (GDF100-4)) and will retail at a more than affordable price of only $130 dollars.
See also: Timex Expedition WS4
Photos: Casio
Casio G-Shock GDF100 with Altimeter specification
Price: $130
Movement: Electronic, Module 3255, Made in Japan
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, full calendar, barometer, altimeter, thermometer, world time, stopwatch, countdown timer, daily alarms, hourly time signal, 12/24-hour format
Power reserve: 5 years
Case: Resin
Shape: Round
Dimensions: 55.00 mm x 51.50 mm
Lug width: 33.00 mm
Case height: 17.20 mm
Dial: LCD with LED backlighting (Super Illuminator)
Numerals: Arabic
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Resin
Crystal: Mineral
Back: Solid