Watch history as I unbox an iconoclastic G-Shock which can politely be described as “eclectic.” It’s the GAV-01.
Everything from the hands to the indices to the digital subdial nestled in a “cool eyes” shape takes a dramatic turn from the standard fare of G-Shock watches. This is new blood in the Absolute Tough watch line-up. And as many new rookies stepping into the spot light find out, fans of the veterans aren’t exactly welcoming.
Ugly
Commenters on YouTube and various watch forums have some pretty strong words to describe their disgust at the G-Shock GAV-01. But in my unboxing video, as you can see, I handle the watch and give you my first impressions without prejudice. After all, the purpose of a G-Shock is the withstand abuse, which I deliver in droves. And I don’t care as much about a watch’s appearance as I do its perseverance.
Form follows function.
When I first extricated the GAV-01 from its burlap sack, I remarked about how the face looks like the mouth of a lamprey eel. When I counted all of those protrusions holding the domed mineral crystal screen it occurred to me that those protrusions serve double duty. They are the indices for the analog watch and screen protectors in lieu of your typical G-Shock crenelations.
That’s a cool design decision!
The watch’s sleek band and body are integrated such that there’s no lugs or pins holding in the band. That’s another function first design feature that prevents the band from popping off. By the way, the first G-Shock that I saw with this feature was the GAB-001.
Get one for yourself!
While I’m out here testing the G-Shock GAV-01, you can run your own tests where you live and work. Just click here on this affiliate link to buy the new Cool Eyes watch directly from Casio! Here’s one other thing I like about it and you will too: it’s comfortable!
Video Summary
Google’s Gemini AI took a look at my chaotic unboxing video and spat out this summary:
Unboxing the G-Shock GAV01: A Chaotic First Look at an Aggressive Design with Jim Kinkade
In this video, titled “G-Shock GAV01 #chaotic Unboxing!”, Jim Kinkade provides a thorough initial look at the new G-Shock GAV01 watch. The unboxing itself is notable, as the watch arrives uniquely packaged in a burlap sack. Upon revealing the timepiece, Jim immediately highlights its striking and somewhat aggressive styling, drawing attention to its unusual hands and the prominent domed crystal.
Delving into the design and features, the GAV01 sports a distinctive bezel design that Jim likens to “krenellations,” complete with ventilation holes and an integrated band structure. The case back, he notes, is similar to that found on typical G-Shock models. The watch incorporates a negative LCD display and offers multiple modes, including a stopwatch, alarms, and dual time functionality. A sub-dial adds to the complexity of the watch face, and Jim points out that the hands have a pointer shape reminiscent of those on some Mercedes-Benz dashboards.
Addressing comfort and fit, Jim confirms that the watch fits his 8.5-inch wrist, though he notes it uses the furthest extent of the band. He describes the band itself as soft and comfortable, secured with a plastic buckle and keeper. Jim also touches on the watch’s functionality and draws comparisons to other Casio models like the GA B2100. He discusses the legibility of the watch face and examines the design elements intended to provide protection.
From an aesthetic standpoint, Jim candidly suggests that the GAV01’s style might appeal more to a younger demographic. He reiterates the uniqueness of the design, particularly how the sub-dials contribute to its visual appeal, describing them as resembling “cool eyes.” For context on size, Jim compares the GAV01 to the GBDH2000, noting similar dimensions but a less flexible band on the GAV01. He also points out the watch’s wide “crotch,” referring to the distance between the band attachments.
The video also includes an initial durability testing segment. Jim focuses on the impact resistance of the hands, demonstrating how the minute hand moves upon impact but then reliably returns to its correct position. He also tests the effectiveness of the button protection, noting mixed results. Overall, Jim’s unboxing and first look provide a detailed overview of the GAV01’s design, features, and initial impressions on comfort and durability.
One final note!
In this video I did get the watch to fit my wrist. But that was on the last notch. I said that my wrist is 8.5 inches. Well I was squashed by the Mudman. So it’s a little less now. If you are a big wrister stay tuned for when I take a more accurate measurement of how wide the GAV-01 extends.