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"The Casio GWF-A1000 Frogman is a handy diving watch with just enough connectivity features to get through."

• G-shock toughness

• Sapphire crystal over the dial

• Reliable G-Shock Connected App

• Easy to understand diving function

• Solar energy means no charging is required

• No depth sensor

• Solid on most wrists

• No step tracker

Casio has adopted the connected technology of its traditional watches almost entirely. The G-Shock and Pro Trek watch ranges are smarter, from the WearOS-based Pro Trek WSD-F30 to the Pro Trek PRT-B50 to the newer G-Shock GBD-H1000 Move.

Now, with the GWF-A1000, Casio has brought its most basic connectivity to the dive-centric Frogman watch line. It's not what I would call a smartwatch, but it uses Bluetooth technology to make life with the watch easier, and it adds some features that are relevant to those who want to dive with it.

The new Frogman diving watch offers more than just a technical update. The previously fully digital face has been swapped for an analog face and then wrapped in the brand's iconic carbon monocoque body.

design

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

While the GWF-A1000 has an analog movement, it is obviously still a G-Shock Frogman in its design. Those familiar with the range will recognize the asymmetrical style of the branding and the frog logo on the case back. The asymmetrical shape prevents the case from hitting your wrist when you bend it and makes it easier to press the buttons. There are four buttons in total, only the ones on the left side of the case are immediately recognizable. The other two flank the attractively knurled and very grippy crown.

With its carbon monocoque construction, Casio was able to remove the button guards from previous Frogman watches while maintaining overall strength while making the watch much lighter. It weighs 119 grams (0.26 pounds) compared to 141 grams for the previous generation watch. That's an improvement, but you definitely know it's on your wrist. By comparison, the heaviest Apple Watch Series 5 still weighs less than 50 grams – or 0.11 pounds.

Try to deliberately damage the frogman or a G-shock and you would likely fail.

It's also very large, with a case size of 56mm and a thickness of a whopping 19mm. On the other hand, the size shouldn't come as a surprise. The Frogman has always been one of G-Shock's largest and most iconic watches, and the A1000 is no exception. The thickness alludes to the key trait of the Key G-Shock: toughness. The all-in-one case made of carbon envelops the movement and the technology inside and offers the watch the highest level of shock protection and 200-meter water resistance according to ISO.

It is resistant to magnetic fields and vibrations and the face is covered with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The thick fluoroelastomer strap is attached to the watch with large pins through the carbon / resin case and is even resistant to water and dirt. You could try damaging the frogman or some other G-shock on purpose, but you would likely fail. This portability, combined with the unique design and useful technology, is what makes me G-Shock watches.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The sapphire crystal has excellent clarity and a distinctive sheen, as well as a very subtle curvature that adds depth to the face and beautifully captures the light on the wrist. The buttons are big and have a positive effect. Loosening the screw-down crown takes a little force (don't forget to screw it back on, otherwise the watch will not be waterproof), but this is not a problem even if the watch is on your wrist.

How is it on the wrist? You and everyone else will know it's there. This is a statement watch and it's very eye-catching. The bracelet is not particularly pliable, but this was not a problem as the watch should be worn loosely. I never felt the watch was uncomfortable unless it was under a sleeve.

Make no mistake, it's not for thin wrists.

Because of the bulk, it's best to slide the sleeve back when wearing the Frogman. You have to make a few compromises if you want to wear the A1000 every day, but personally, I don't think it's an everyday watch at all. For me, it's a dive-oriented summer watch that is worn to be demonstrated.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Frogman's busy, asymmetrical design means it isn't for everyone. It's clearly not intended for small wrists, but Casio's move to analog puts it in line with other popular dive watches from manufacturers like Seiko, and the moderate reduction in weight and bulk means it could appeal to those less likely to actually dive with it . Make no mistake, it's not for thin wrists.

I've long been a fan of the Frogman's unusual design, and replacing the digital display with three subdials and a small date window hasn't changed its visual appeal.

G-Shock Connected App

The Frogman connects to the G-Shock Connected app on your phone via Bluetooth. It's well designed, fast, stable, and provides an easy way to change various functions of the watch and manage dive-specific functions. I like the way it remembers all other Bluetooth-equipped G-Shock watches too, so there is no need to tweak any additional settings after registering a new model, a feature I'd love to see in WearOS.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The connection is easily activated with a single push of a button on the watch. I used the GWF-A1000 connected to an iPhone 11 Pro, but there is also an app for Android. Setting the world time is a good example of how the app speeds up some processes. Tap the World Time tab, select your city, and tap Sync. The time is then sent to the Frogman's subdial and the whole process doesn't take any time. A push of a button in the app quickly swaps the world and home times, which is ideal for traveling. This simple operation is repeated when setting alarms and timers.

For divers, the app includes a dive log function and the ability to add a location to measure the tide point. It's a long press of a button to put the watch into dive mode. At this point the main hour and minute hands will move to the 12 o'clock position and the time will change to the World Time subdial. Start the dive and the second hand will start showing the total elapsed time shown by the main hands moving together for clarity. Bright light on the hands and on the bezel between positions 12 and 20 makes it easier to judge the time in the dark.

The quick guide of the G-Shock Connected App to the functions of the watch Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Set the alarm with the G-Shock Connected app Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Set the world time with the G-Shock Connected app Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Stop the dive sequence and the hands will return to 12 o'clock. The second hand rotates backwards to indicate the surface interval time. The data from the watch is then stored in the app, along with location data and the ability to add photos, as well as information about conditions, depth, temperature and your equipment. Both the dive mode and the dive log are easy to use, even for someone unfamiliar with diving watches, but you will need to spend a short time learning how it all works. The good news is that the app has comprehensive instructions on how it works, and it also acts as a digital manual.

The watch does not have a vibration feature so there is no chance that notification support will ever be added. This isn't something I really want on the watch, but it's a shame Casio doesn't just add an accelerometer and step tracking to all of the connected watches. This general function would add value to the GWF-A1000.

The connection to the iPhone app is constant unless you disconnect it or close the app completely. While connected, it will activate your phone's GPS, which means it is using some battery power.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

While the Frogman won't send notifications, have a touchscreen, or run apps, the Bluetooth connection makes using the watch functions faster and easier, and adds some relevant features to make the watch more useful. It does this with a reliable and easy to use app. Casio shows how many other watch manufacturers who want to build a connected watch should do something.

Keys and functions

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There are four buttons and the crown on the watch. The menu button at 8 o'clock toggles between tide mode, calendar mode, stopwatch and timer. The 3 o'clock subdial shows the status of the watch and also shows the tide point if it has been set in the app. The keys are precise and feel powerful. I like the way you can push a button and move the pointers out of the way so you can easily view the two subdials too.

The time can be set through the app, which is based on your phone's time, or through the radio controlled multi-band 6 system, which wirelessly retrieves the correct time at set intervals from a number of remote stations around the world. In my experience, Multi Band 6 usually requires a little patience before it works. This depends on the location and the signal. This is the quickest way for the app to adjust the time after changing the time zones. The crown can also be used to set the time.

I enjoyed the speed at which the hands move when using special functions. They're quick so you never wait for them to get out of the way and nothing seems to take too long. We're geared for devices to be quick to respond these days, and the GWF-A1000's triple dual-core motors that control the hands can meet our needs.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It is important to note that while this is a diver's watch, it does not have a depth sensor, as is the case with the all-digital GWF-D1000 G-Shock Frogman watches. Whether or not this becomes less of a diving watch is up for debate and may depend on how serious you are about diving. However, this is arguably consistent with the design and engineering changes that are driving the GWF-A1000 towards the watch fan, which may never actually go diving at all.

Battery and charging

Just because the Frogman has a Bluetooth connection, it doesn't need to be regularly charged using a cable. The GWF-A1000 has a solar charge and does not require any additional electricity to continue working. The battery level can be checked in the app. If the battery is empty, it will take two hours of direct sunlight to work again and another 21 hours to full. Times vary depending on the light source, but the clock draws energy from everything including fluorescent lighting in the house.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If your watch is used regularly, the battery is unlikely to ever run out because it only takes eight minutes of sunlight to get enough power for a full day. So if you're out for a day, the battery is likely to stay full. With the exception of a few trips outside, I've been inside for over a week while wearing the Frogman and the battery is not full. According to Casio, a full battery will last about five months without any visible light.

Price and availability

You can now purchase the G-Shock GWF-A1000 Frogman from the G-Shock online shop and boutiques. In the US, it's yours for $ 800. In the UK it's £ 699.

Our opinion

The GWF-A1000 Frogman takes advantage of connected technology in an ever-desirable G-Shock watch. Even if you never go diving with it, you are left with an extremely robust watch that delivers the coveted diving watch look.

However, it is not a smartwatch. So don't expect it to compete with the Apple Watch or WearOS watches in terms of connectivity or functionality.

Is there a better alternative?

There are very few attached diving watches available. If your list says "Scuba Diving" and "Bluetooth Connected", your main viewing is the G-Shock GWF-A1000 Frogman. However, if you are considering a full-fledged smartwatch, you can get a more feature-rich model for less.

If you own an iPhone and want a smartwatch, consider buying the Apple Watch Series 5 for $ 400. If you have an Android phone, we recommend the $ 280 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, which has great software and a neat design. If you're a Casio fan, the $ 500 Pro Trek WSD-F30 is a rugged WearOS outdoor smartwatch, while the $ 500 Suunto 7 is a sporty high-tech WearOS watch that worth considering.

If the Frogman responds but you don't dive (not that it really matters), the G-Shock Mudmaster and G-Shock Gravitymaster have similar functions. These have different designs that can better suit your lifestyle. Finally, Fossil makes several hybrid smartwatches that add basic smartwatch functionality to a watch that looks like a regular watch.

How long it will take?

Solar charging, no software on the watch to update, no technology like a touchscreen that either goes wrong or ages the watch prematurely, and the incredible toughness of a G-shock means the GWF-A1000 will last indefinitely. The only aspect that may be nearing the end of its useful life is the app in case Casio decides to change the way it connects to their watches in the future.

Should you buy one?

Yes. Casio shows that it is possible to combine connected technology with a desirable hybrid watch and that you don't always have to turn to fashion watches to get it.

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