G-Shock’s latest watch turned my wrist into a poisonous frog
I didn’t really give much thought to what a poison dart frog looked like until recently, as we don’t – luckily – get many here in the UK in the wilderness of rural Surrey, but thanks to the new G-Shock Poison Dart Frog Frogman watch, I have one good idea of what to look out for if I ever encounter one.
Why this? Because the brand managed to bring the bright colors of the amphibians to life on my wrist. Here’s a closer look.
Just like a poison dart frog
Built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the G-Shock Frogman range, the GWF-A1000APF-1AER Frogman is a variation on the existing GWF-A1000 Frogman analog watch that I reviewed in 2020. The shape and features are the same, but like most G-Shock Special Edition watches, the design and color scheme is completely different. It’s also a rarity as Frogman specials don’t always come out of Japan, but this example is available in limited numbers worldwide.
The bezel is made from multiple layers of carbon-reinforced fiberglass that are randomly laminated to replicate the color of the poison dart frog’s skin, distinguishing each watch from the rest. Unlike the standard GWF-A1000, the all-resin dial guards have been replaced with ones modeled out of transparent urethane. This is one of my favorite design elements as it minimizes the size of the watch face and changes the overall look significantly.
I also really like the band design. The solid black is covered in a splatter paint effect, just like the poison dart frog’s legs, which really pops in the sunlight. The metal clasp has a polished blue color and the holder is made of durable rubber. Turn the clock and you’ll see that the iconic frogman character has also received a poison dart frog makeover. This special edition lives up to G-Shock’s usual high standards and looks really special next to a standard analogue Frogman.
It’s smart… but not quite a smartwatch
The GWF-A1000 was the first Frogman model to feature Bluetooth connectivity, but don’t think of it as a smartwatch or even a competitor to some of G-Shock’s sportier watches like the GBD-200. Instead, the Bluetooth capability simplifies everyday functions and also makes using the Frogman’s Dive Log that little bit easier.
A while back, G-Shock introduced the Casio Watches app, which acts like an app-based hub for your collection. Oddly enough, the frogman connects to the app but then takes you to Casio’s old app called G-Shock Connected to use the functionality. You can just ignore the Casio Watches app in this case and just use the G-Shock Connected app unless you absolutely want to have two Casio apps on your phone.
G-Shock Connected works really well. It will guide you through the connection process and all the functions. It is reliable, clear, concise and straightforward. You can set the world time, start a timer, set an alarm and check the battery level. The dive log records dive time and logs your location using the phone’s GPS, and all of this is done with a few button presses within the app. It’s definitely easier than memorizing different key combinations on the watch itself, and the mapping feature looks great.
Like all Frogman analogue clocks, it is solar powered so there is no need to charge the battery with a cable or wireless pad. In my experience you don’t have to worry about charging at all provided it sees some daylight with some degree of regularity. The correct time is set when you sync with the app, but the GWF-A1000 also features Casio’s Multi-Band 6 technology, where it regularly syncs with cell towers around the world and automatically adjusts itself to the correct local time adjusts
As hard as it is poisonous
Is the frogman tough? Do poison dart frogs have poison on their skin? It’s top-of-the-line G-Shock, meaning shock resistance thanks to the carbon and resin Hollow Core Guard structure, anti-corrosion coating on all metal components, 200-meter water resistance with ISO accreditation for professional diving use, and sapphire crystal over the dial.
The dial features LED backlighting and lumens applied to the main hands, the sub-dial hands, the tip of the seconds hand and above each hour marker. It makes the dial readable in the dark, while the bright LED better illuminates the date window and sub-dial.
While the watch face is busy, everything has a function, right down to the markings around the edge that show when features like Bluetooth connectivity are enabled. The screw-down crown ensures the watch remains water-resistant, and when you unscrew it, the watch automatically activates various setting functions.
Wearing the poison dart frog shoe
G-Shock watches are rarely small, and the Frogman is one of the largest you can get. At its widest point, the GWF-A1000 Frogman is 56mm plus 19.7mm thick. So don’t expect it to disappear under your cuff or of course to fit all wrist sizes. The bright color scheme makes it even more attention-grabbing than a regular Frogman, so it’s not really a watch for the shy and reclusive.
The G-Shock Frogman, poison dart frog version or not, is thicker than the Apple Watch Ultra; It’s also heavier at 110 grams. But if you’re reading this, you probably already know that G-Shock’s dive watch is a bit of a beast. That’s why I love it and why I own several different versions. It’s not like wearing a Seiko “Tuna” dive watch or a Tag Heuer Aquaracer, which are pretty subtle in comparison. It’s a statement piece, especially when the colors are cranked up to the max like here.
Most G-Shocks should wear the strap a bit loose, but here that means it limits wrist movement due to the size. Wearing it tight prevents this, but it takes a little getting used to. However, I’ll live with it if I smile every time I look down on it plus the knowledge that I’ll never be wrong actually poison dart frog for everything else.
The GWF-A1000APF-1AER Poison Dart Frog Frogman is a limited edition timepiece made to celebrate the anniversary of the Frogman line and may not stay around forever. It’s expected to launch in the US in the near future, but it’s already available in the UK and a few other countries. In the UK, it costs £949, which is around US$1,140. The standard GWF-A1000 is $800 in the US. So expect to pay a bit more when it’s available.
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