Conquering The Rubicon Trail With The Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWGB1000

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Conquering The Rubicon Trail With The

G-Shock Mudmaster GWGB1000

Superior toughness. For 40 years, the G-Shock name has been synonymous with both durability and reliability. It is a well- and hard-earned reputation, forged through decades of consistent performance in some of the harshest and most relentless conditions on earth. Such demanding environments require tools of the highest caliber, and the G-Shock Mudmaster GWGB1000 is exactly that: a rugged, high-precision timepiece built to conquer any terrain.

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH G-SHOCK

The Rubicon Trail sits tucked away in the northeastern end of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, a short distance from the cobalt waters of Lake Tahoe, California. Its 22-mile stretch of dirt, gravel, and crags is widely considered to be one of the most difficult off-roading trails in North America, and the landscape is as unforgiving as it is beautiful. Majestic ponderosa pines stand sentinel between the formidable granite boulders that abound at every turn, awaiting the next intrepid driver to embark on their journey. But make no mistake — this is no place for the novice. The Rubicon Trail is a domain that bends steel to its will, as myriad stories of snapped axles, broken tie rods, and blown transmissions can attest. It’s no coincidence that a number of car manufacturers use this grueling terrain as the testing grounds for their most rugged vehicles, making it the perfect overland environment to put the G-Shock Mudmaster GWGB1000 through its paces.

The GWGB1000 resides in the G-Shock catalog as part of the Master of G series, a collection of purpose-built watches for professionals working in the most demanding maritime, aerial, and on-land conditions. As its name suggests, the flagship Mudmaster GWGB1000 is designed to be exceptionally resistant to dust, mud, and vibrations thanks to a newly designed and upgraded case structure, starting with a series of stainless steel components: the main bezel ring, the upper and lower bezel guards, and a precision metal injection-molded front button protector. A DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating is applied to these surfaces for additional protection against wear and tear, and a pair of carbon fiber-reinforced resin bezel guards on the sides protect the four main function buttons to ensure solid and predictable operation in the field. The 52.1mm wide case wears confidently on the wrist, with a matching strap constructed from a lightweight, bio-based resin that reflects a commitment to the natural environments in which this watch is meant to thrive. The resulting package is a highly capable timepiece with a premium fit and finish that places the GWGB1000 at the leading edge of the Master of G lineup.

Navigating the undulating topography of the Rubicon Trail requires a highly technical type of off-roading, both in terms of approach and equipment. One needs keen judgment and a discerning eye to surmount the narrow and rocky passages, as many are found on a significant incline. Snowmelt and rainfall create additional hazards to traverse. Progress on the trail can be slow and is, more often than not, measured in a matter of inches and feet rather than miles.

As a result, wayfinding is an important component of any journey on the Rubicon Trail, whether tracking the distance to the next major landmark, or exploring one of the many connecting side trails along the way. The GWGB1000 is ready for the task, thanks to its ability to measure the distance and heading of any designated location in real time. Once the desired coordinates are recorded in the companion Casio Watches smartphone app, the subdial at 3 o’clock moves to indicate the bearing to the destination, the digital display shows the distance to the stored location, and the seconds hand adjusts itself to show which direction is north. It’s a simple, but highly useful tool for navigating on the go, especially in situations that require immediate focus and concentration — which, on the Rubicon Trail, is every moment.

At its core, the Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWGB1000 is all about self-sufficiency.

Its analog-digital display provides on-demand data acquired by the onboard triple sensors — compass, altimeter/barometer, and thermometer — to provide crucial information in the midst of an overland trek. The radio-controlled and solar-powered module ensures accurate and reliable timekeeping, while the anti-reflective sapphire crystal allows for readability at all angles. Dual LED lights provide additional illumination for those adventures that go until dusk — and beyond.