CASIO from Japan

Which CASIO and G-SHOCK models are Japan-only?

The domestic-market G-SHOCK references, the MR-G line, Oceanus, and the Japan-limited colourways released through Japanese retailers. G-SHOCK, launched in 1983 with the DW-5000C, is sold worldwide, but Casio releases separate domestic references with Japanese-language manuals, and the top line MR-G is assembled at Casio's Yamagata factory and sold mainly in Japan. オシアナス (Oceanus) is a radio-controlled solar line sold chiefly in Japan, and チープカシオ (cheap Casio) is the Japanese nickname for the basic digital and analogue models such as the F-91W that have a following of their own. Japanese sellers write 日本限定 or 国内モデル for domestic pieces.

What are the G-SHOCK model nicknames Japanese sellers use?

Nicknames by case shape, and they appear in titles more often than the full reference. The square 5600 is スピード or スクエア, the 6900 is 三つ目 (three eyes), the Frogman is フロッグマン or カエル, and the Rangeman, Mudmaster and Gravitymaster are written in katakana. The reference number follows the nickname, and collaborations are listed as コラボ with the partner name.

• スピード / スクエア — the 5600 square
• 三つ目 — the 6900
• フロッグマン / カエル — Frogman
• レンジマン / マッドマスター / グラビティマスター — Master of G models
• フルメタル — full-metal 5000 series
• コラボ — collaboration models
• 反転液晶 — reverse LCD display

What does 加水分解 mean on a used G-SHOCK listing?

Hydrolysis of the resin: the bezel and strap on older G-SHOCKs become sticky, cracked or crumbly with age, and Japanese sellers name it because it decides whether a used G-SHOCK is wearable. A listing that says ベゼル・バンド劣化なし has no resin deterioration; one that says 加水分解あり or ベゼル割れ needs replacement parts, which Casio sells for many models. The other notes to read are the battery or solar cell state and the display.

• 加水分解 — resin hydrolysis, sticky or crumbling bezel and strap
• ベゼル・バンド劣化 / 割れ — bezel and strap deterioration / cracks
• 電池交換済 / タフソーラー稼働 — battery replaced / Tough Solar model running
• 液晶薄い / 液晶欠け — faint display / missing display segments
• 液漏れ — battery leakage, on old digital models
• 純正バンド / 社外バンド — original / aftermarket strap
• モジュール番号 — the module number on the case back

Where are CASIO watches sold in Japan?

New domestic models and Japan-limited colourways on Rakuten and Amazon Japan; used and discontinued models on Mercari and Yahoo Auctions; shop-graded pieces at Suruga-ya and 2nd STREET. Because G-SHOCK releases are frequent and many are limited, the used market is where discontinued colourways and older collaborations are found, and cheap Casio models are sold in bulk lots.

What does a CASIO order from Japan cost?

Item price plus OneMall's service fee when you order, international shipping when the watch leaves our Japan warehouse, and your own country's duty on arrival, if charged. The fee is shown before you confirm; the seller's domestic shipping is added when charged. G-SHOCK boxes are tins or cardboard and add volume, and a full-metal model is heavier than a resin one, so for one watch the difference is small and for several it is the box count: ask to ship without the outer boxes and consolidate at the warehouse. Battery and solar models ship as ordinary watches.

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What should I type to find CASIO and G-SHOCK on Japanese sites?

Gショック or G-SHOCK plus the reference or nickname; カシオ for the wider range and チープカシオ for the basic models. The reference number is the most precise search and appears in most titles.

• Gショック / G-SHOCK / カシオ — the brand and line
• DW-5600 / GW-M5610 / GA-2100 — reference numbers
• スピード / 三つ目 / フロッグマン — nicknames
• 日本限定 / 国内モデル — Japan-only releases
• チープカシオ / チプカシ — basic models
• 劣化なし / 電池交換済 — no resin deterioration / battery replaced