Casio G-Shock GMC-2500D – the steel “CasioNaut” brings a luxury look for €319

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Preview: The watch goes on sale in Japan on 7 November 2026 and in Europe in November 2026. This story is based on Casio’s announcements and published specifications; we have not tested the watch.

Casio is going back to its roots, this time with hands. The new G-Shock 2500 series puts the octagonal shape of the very first G-Shock, the 1983 DW-5000C, into an analog watch. The showpiece of the range is the GMC-2500D-1A, which looks all-metal: a black dial, a stainless steel bezel and a steel bracelet. Watch fans have already nicknamed the series the “CasioNaut”, because the rounded case and the “ears” on its sides recall the Patek Philippe Nautilus luxury watch.

What is it?

The 2500 series has nine models in three groups: all-resin GAC-2500 models, GMC-2500 models with a metal bezel and a resin strap, and GMC-2500D models with a steel bracelet. The GMC-2500D-1A has a black dial, and its sibling, the GMC-2500D-1A2, has a blue one. Both have a steel bezel and bracelet, but, as usual for G-Shock, the case body itself is resin, partly bio-based.

Casio says the series brings the design language of the first G-Shock to a simple analog watch. The angular shape remains, but the case is rounder than before, and its curved surfaces create shifting shades in the light. The familiar four buttons are still on the sides of the case.

What’s behind the hands?

At 3 o’clock there is a three-cell window that Casio calls the Multi-Mission Date. It shows the date, but also the mode, stopwatch minutes and setting information, depending on what the watch is doing. The same window is used to set the year, month and day, so this fully analog watch has a full auto-calendar that runs to 2099.

The small seconds at 9 o’clock come with a second-hand sleep function: you can stop the second hand and start it again. According to G-Central, the CR1025 battery lasts about two years, or about five years if you use sleep mode. Other features include a 1-second stopwatch that measures up to 29 minutes 59 seconds, an amber LED light and a hand-shift feature that moves the hands out of the way of the display.

For a G-Shock, the most important new feature is a magnetic hand-holding structure. Casio America says it is there to improve shock resistance. According to a Casio developer interview, the hands are held by magnetic force rather than fixed to the shaft, so the force of a hard impact is released and the hands do not shift or get damaged.

Video: Casio’s introduction

Casio’s official G-SHOCK GMC-2500 Promotion Video shows the 2500 series models and their design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXVJdWUWn64

Why it matters

Casio has pulled this trick before: the G-Shock 2100 was nicknamed the “CasiOak” because it looked like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Men’s Journal points out that the 2500 series continues that line. Casio itself only talks about the DW-5000C, but the luxury comparison is what gets people talking. The difference is that you get an analog, 200 m water-resistant, shock-resistant watch for a fraction of the price of the watches it is compared to.

Hilavitkutin’s verdict

The GMC-2500D-1A is a fun mix of history and watch-world memes. It was designed after the first G-Shock, yet everyone calls it a Nautilus. The features are basic G-Shock level, with no solar cell or Bluetooth. Still, the magnetic hand-holding structure and the clever date window make it more than a looks-only watch. At €319 for the steel version, the €129 resin model is worth a look too.

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