A “Spec Monster” Ready for the Ocean
Unlike a classic analog diver, this Frogman does not scream simplicity. The GW8230NT was designed with the needs of divers in mind. On the display, there is a dedicated section that indicates the current moon phase and a tide graph to give an idea of surface water conditions at your nearest beach.
Of course, the watch is sufficiently waterproof, compliant to the ISO 6425 200 m standard— and that includes operating the buttons underwater.
If you go through the watch’s modes, you start at home time, with the day and date, followed by your dive logs, where you can record up to 10 dives. Dive data includes the start time, surface interval measurements, and time elapsed underwater. The next mode is tide info, then world time, the alarm function, stopwatch, timer accurate to 1/100th of a second, and finally back to home time.
Though this impressive list of features is proof that the Frogman is a legitimate “spec monster,” the watch does not have bluetooth compatibility or the ability to synchronize with the atomic clock. These are the two key features that I feel are missing on this G-Shock, and priced at $620, they should really come as standard.
Sustainable Materials Reduce the Environmental Impact
For this special anniversary watch, Casio has made a concerted effort to produce a watch with a reduced environmental impact. Most notably, the strap and outer casing are made from bio-based resins.
I cannot say for certain whether the watch’s green credentials are much more than a marketing ploy, but as a consumer, it certainly makes me feel better to believe that this product is somewhat respectful of the habitat it was designed for.
Either way, the bio-based resin feels sturdy and high quality. I also noticed that the packaging was cardboard instead of the trademark G-Shock metal tin. Honestly, as a G-Shock fan, I was disappointed by the cardboard presentation box, especially since the metal tins are infinitely more likely to be reused for another purpose.
Nevertheless, it would be unduly harsh to judge a watch by its packaging. Another sustainable feature of this Frogman is that it uses a Tough Solar panel, visible around the edges of the LCD display, to harness the sun’s energy. In theory, this watch should last decades without the need to change the battery.
Bracelet & Strap Alternatives
At 52 mm lug-to-lug, plus the sizable overhand from the rigid supplied resin band, the Frogman is definitely going to wear too large for small and average-sized wrists. However, this watch has a standard lug width of 18 mm, which means that you can swap the supplied band for a NATO (thicker straps won’t pass through).
For a snugger and lighter wrist-feel, we recommend the Archer Classic NATO as seen in the photographs. While the taper down to 18 mm is a little bit dramatic, I found that using the NATO made the watch much more comfortable to wear—sometimes I even forgot I was wearing it. Plus at $14.99 it’s a pretty great deal.
Price/Quality Ratio
Casio, in my opinion, is the best watch brand in the world when it comes to value for money. For example, my review of the Casio “Duro” declared that watch to be the best value analog true dive watch on the market.
However, this special edition Frogman, by Casio’s own standards, is not the best value for money watch. It’s a premium G-Shock offering, and while the materials (like titanium and bio-based resins) reflect its higher price tag of $620, I am not convinced that the GW8230NT is a good deal. This watch is semi-exclusive and the price is indicative of its luxury leanings.
That said, compared to other dive watch brands, especially big Swiss names, the Frogman offers a good amount of specs and brand cache for the price. There are, however, those so-called purists who would balk at the prospect of spending that much on a digital watch.
Do we recommend the Casio G-Shock Frogman?
That depends on whether you like its techy ‘90s aesthetic and bulk. While it’s not a heavy watch by any means, it wears much larger than a traditional analog display dive watch, and you can’t help but notice it, especially considering it’s bright red.
Personally, I think it looks great in certain contexts: at the gym, out on a hike, on a surf trip, or just chilling at home in shorts and a T-shirt. But so do G-Shocks that cost less than $100. With this special edition piece, though, you’re getting some cool features and touches like the moon phase on the display and the fact that the case back and LED backlight display the logo of the frog diver.
Ultimately, I recommend the Casio G-Shock Frogman to the intersection of people who both love G-Shocks and pushing their watches to the limit in the ocean. This is a piece for the enthusiasts, people who lead bold lives, and aren’t afraid of getting their watch scratched up along the way.
Specs & Features
| Case diameter | 50.3 mm |
|---|---|
| Lug-to-lug distance | 52 mm |
| Case thickness | 18 mm |
| Lug/strap width | 18 mm |
| Movement | quartz, tough solar |
| Case material | Titanium and bio-based resin |
| Strap/bracelet material | bio-based resin |
| Crystal | mineral |
| Bezel | fixed titanium and bio-based resin |
| Water resistance | 200 m |
Take a moment to look at this.
