When Casio first unveiled the G-Shock in 1983, the revolutionary shock-resistant watch debuted in the now-iconic 5000 Series “Square” case silhouette with a digital module protected by a stainless steel case shrouded in rubber. Over the years, the G-Shock has expanded to become an entire multi-faceted collection, and the classic 5000 Series now exists in a wide variety of materials and configurations. However, among its latest releases for 2024, the Japanese manufacturer has announced the Casio G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival, a near-exact recreation of the very first G-Shock with several incredibly subtle contemporary updates.

Underneath their impact-absorbing soft resin bezels, the vast majority of Casio’s modern entry-level G-Shock watches typically consist of a resin internal case with a stainless steel caseback that is secured at the corners by four small screws. However, back when the Casio G-Shock first debuted in 1983, the model consisted of a stainless steel internal case with a threaded screw-down caseback (similar to what can be observed on Casio’s premium full-metal 5000 Series G-Shock models). The new Casio G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival accurately follows the case construction of the original 1983 G-Shock, and it features a solid stainless steel internal case that is fitted with a flat mineral glass crystal and a screw-down stainless steel caseback with a mirror-polished finish.

Just like the original G-Shock model from 1983 that serves as its inspiration, the new Casio G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival features four buttons located along the side of its case, while a black soft-resin bezel covers its exterior, and water resistance comes in at the same generous 200 meters that famously unites all of Casio’s G-Shock models. With that in mind, the case size of the new recreation piece has increased by a fraction of a millimeter, and rather than having a diameter of 41.6mm like the original 1983 model, the new G-Shock DW5000R-1A measures 43.3mm in diameter by 13.1mm thick and 48.9 in the lug-to-lug direction. That said, the overall appearance of the revival model remains remarkably true to the original, and it features an identical brick-pattern dial plate surrounding its LCD screen, complete with the same red frame accented by white, yellow, and blue markings.

The black rubber strap fitted to the Casio G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival watch accurately recreates the appearance of the original, right down to small details such as its length, shape, and even the positioning of its signature dimples. However, Casio has continuously been increasing its use of sustainable materials in recent years, and the new G-Shock DW5000R-1A features black bio-based resin for both its bezel and strap to help reduce the model’s environmental impact. Additionally, due to its stainless steel inner case, the G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival weights slightly more than one of Casio’s entry-level 5000 Series watches at 76 grams, while all of the brand’s standard DW5600 models (including thematic versions such as the Kentucky Bourbon-inspired Casio G-Shock x Oneness DW5600ONS234) have a total weight of 53 grams.

Similar to the exterior of the watch, the digital movement inside the Casio G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival aims to faithfully recreate the experience of the original. Rather than being packed with Casio’s latest solar/Bluetooth technologies (which are offered by other 5000 Series models), the G-Shock DW5000R-1A’s stainless steel internal case houses Module 3576, which is a traditional digital quartz movement that runs on a single CR2016 power cell with a battery life of approximately five years. Additionally, the features offered by Module 3576 are fairly standard compared to the advanced functionality of other Casio modules, and it is equipped with the normal suite of modes including a stopwatch, alarm, timer, automatic calendar, and backlight. With that in mind, the light has been updated on the G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival, and it now includes a bright white LED backlight for superior visibility in dark conditions.

Although Casio now operates several different manufacturing facilities, the Casio G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival is made in Japan, and it is produced by the brand’s master craftsmen at its Yamagata site, which is the “mother factory” of G-Shock watches and the location where the original model was first built in the 1980s. With an official retail price of $200 USD, the Casio G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival costs more than twice what the brand currently charges for its various entry-level 5000 Series models, although the premium ultimately feels rather reasonable given how this model allows G-Shock collectors to step back in time to 1983 and enjoy a faithful recreation of the very first G-Shock, complete with a historically-accurate steel internal case and the added functionality of an upgraded backlight. For more information on the Casio G-Shock DW5000R-1A Origin Revival, please visit the brand’s website.