Lightning Yellow, the grand finale to the 30th Anniversary waves

chrisek

Moderator
Starting with the 25th Anniversary, Casio does 5 "waves" of releases on the 5th anniversary. Letter code "E" (for 5th wave) tends to be pretty grand. In the 25th Anniversary, it was the Glorious Gold. For the 30th Anniversary, it is the Lightning Yellow. First was this showing off a Frog (GF-8230E-9).

Casio-GShock-Lightning-Yellow-Collection-660x330.jpg

As it was first mentioned at Shock The World New York, Casio USA got to announce the wave with which were coming to the USA.

LY USA incoming.jpg

And that was what we knew: Titanium 1000 - series frog (3rd one produced by Casio), the 8250 series frog, and the just released GDX-6900 got in on a wave! G-Shock enthusiasts were surprised the GDX6900 got in but the more significant recently released Rangeman (GW-9400) did not. Well, the surprises were not over. Clement Wong shows all.

Lightning Yellow Clement Wong.jpg

Japan had 2 more, a square and a Rangeman!!! Followed up by official photo.

LY 4 pack.jpg

And quickly doctored up by Gshockministry to include the ever mysterious Ti Frog :cool:

Lightning Yellow Banner Smaller.jpg

I received a box.

Da Box.jpg

From my good friend Yohei.

covered load.jpg

Well packaged, carefully wrapped

open box.jpg

My watch model Julius had to inspect to make sure everything was OK

Getting Inspected.jpg

Sure enough, the Wave had arrived!!!

Starting with the one that had the most publicity by Casio, the GF-8230E-9.

8230 box tag.jpg

It showed up in the "normal" 30th Anniversary box, so I will use this one to show the box in detail.

8230 box.jpg

The design is by Eric Haze, and has been used throughout the 30th anniversary.

8230 open box.jpg

Inside is a matching tin

8230 can.jpg

And inside the tin, of course, the watch.

8230 in can.jpg

As always, Tanaka-san provided us with mouthwatering video while we waited.

[video=youtube;ZitNyasW7nk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZitNyasW7nk[/video]

Looks great doesn't it?? Well, I got some outside shots as well.

8230 Park on Rock.jpg

It is funny in that with every wave of release, there are stronger pieces and weaker pieces. It is amusing to me that this one might be the weakest. It shows more how good the overall wave is than anything bad about this watch. I think the 8230 is simply great. Now you know what I think about the wave.

8230 Posing North Shore.jpg

A few shots of the screwback with different lighting and backgrounds

8230 Brilliant Screwback North Shore.jpg

8230 screwback North Shore.jpg

8230 Park Full lit screwback.jpg

8230 Park part of screwback and inner strap.jpg

Continuing on. . . .
 

chrisek

Moderator
Starting off with another nice face shot

8230 Park with Crysatl Reflection.jpg

The straps and buttons

8230 Park Buttons.jpg

8230 Strap Underside North Shore.jpg

And parting shot for this wonderful watch

8230 Park Focal point low.jpg

Now, If that one was the most promoted by Casio, then the Rangeman was the most looked forward to by enthusiasts.

9430 box.jpg

As already mentioned, the boxing is similar. Cutting to the chase.

9430 in can.jpg

And Tanaka hit it as well.

[video=youtube;bC8ecGbykWY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC8ecGbykWY[/video]

As you can see, quite mesmerizing. As the first full A,B,C G-Shock (Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass) ever this watch was already special. To then include it in a wave was pretty over the top. Some had mentioned that this move wasn't even necessary as the watch was already selling so well. I don't think anyone was bummed that Casio went ahead anyway. I'm not going into the details of watches here, more focusing on the wave.

9430 Face Kailua Beach sized.jpg

Let me be the first to say this watch is easy to take photos of. It shares the details with the rest of the wave, the Gold metal keeper, Gold 30th Casback, and black buttons and buckle

9430 Buckle and Keeper North Shore.jpg

9430 buckle and keeper.jpg

And it has a bump on the end of the strap to help hold the keeper

9430 bump on strap Kailua Beach.jpg

If you look at the buttons, you will notice they are "eyeletted" (a ring around the button to slide in)

9430 Park Button Eyelets.jpg

The inside of the strap has some interesting textures as well.

9430 Inner Strap Texture North Shore.jpg

9430 inside strap Kailua Beach.jpg

Want to see the caseback? Unique among the 30th Anniversary models.

9430 backplate Kailua Beach.jpg

And a little closer

9430 backplate closeup Kailua Beach.jpg

9430 Caseback North Shore.jpg

Just another nice shot

9430 on side.jpg

The grill protecting the sensor

9430 grille Kailua Beach.jpg

The red ring on the main compute button is also cool

9430 Red Ring Button North Shore.jpg

9430 Red Ring.jpg
 

chrisek

Moderator
Final shot of the Rangeman before moving on

9430 Upright Kailua Beach.jpg

So if that one was the most looked forward to, what was the square? That's kind of interesting. The Anniversary squares almost have their own following. The GW-M5630E-9 has one unfortunate effect it shares with the GDX.

5630 box.jpg

Inside a store under flourescent lighting they don't look so great. Natural lighting in these photos.

5630 in can.jpg

Tanaka did a good job "bringing it up" for his studio videos (well, he has probably single-handedly sold more G-Shocks than anyone else worldwide)

[video=youtube;TV7Y6SX7LYI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV7Y6SX7LYI[/video]

The great news is that this watch completely comes alive under the sun :cool:

5630 Beacutiful Microdot with shadows North Shore.jpg

I love this screen effect called "microdot", it is mesmerizing.

5630 beautiful microdot screen Kailua Beach.jpg

When looking at it, it looks like a reflection off a vinyl record/lp.

5630 Microdot Kailua Beach.jpg

Only two other atomic squares in the 30th Anniversary had this microdot screen. The Rising Red GW-M5630A-4 ("A" because the Rising Reds were the first wave).

GW-M5630A-4ER-d.jpg

And the grail square. The GW-T5030C ("C" because it was part of the Resist Black wave which was the 3rd).

gwt5030.jpg

In other words, some pretty strong company. What is also nice is how this watch shows the colors coming together.

5630 colors closer up.jpg

5630 bezel North Shore.jpg

5630 showing colors Kailua Beach.jpg

5630 side view Kailua Beach.jpg

And in indirect lighting, it just glows

5630 Park Lying on rock.jpg

And the caseback which it also shares with the Rising Red.

5630 Park Caseback.jpg

5630 Caseback North Shore.jpg

The GD-X6930. While a quieter release in general, it is an updated 6900. 8% larger, has Alpha gel (for shock absorption and vibration damping), and a large CR2032 battery (Casio rates it at a 10yr lifespan, and they underrate significantly).

GDX box.jpg

GDX in can.jpg

I think this is the most playful of the wave in general.

[video=youtube;TYLWDmRsCl8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYLWDmRsCl8[/video]

On the beach

6930 Reaching for the sun.jpg

Or in the park

6930 Park from Under Right.jpg

It works for me

6930 Showing Yellow Kailua Beach.jpg
 

chrisek

Moderator
As previously mentioned, the straps and keepers go well together.

6930 Buckle and Keeper Kailua Beach.jpg

6930 Park Side shot.jpg

The pronounced button guards with the oversize buttons give the GDX away

6930 Park Button Guard.jpg

6930 Park Button Guard from Underneath.jpg

As a matter of fact, for this version, they changed up from the normal smooth buttons to knurled. White one is normal GDX.

6930 and 6900 Park Buttons.jpg

And parting shot.

6930 Park from Under Right slight offset.jpg

One watch left, the grail :devilish:
 

chrisek

Moderator
When you see this box on the 30th Anniversary Editions, it means one thing

1030 Box.jpg

1030 box tag.jpg

There is a trunk inside!

1030 Trunk in box.jpg

Pull the trunk out

1030 trunk.jpg

And open 'er up

1030 in trunk.jpg

Nice!! :cool: I'm just not getting tired of this watch. Notice the tag?

1030 tag.jpg

It is a little different Starting with: it is textured!

1030 textured tag.jpg

And if you open it up

1030 open tag.jpg

And see the back

1030 back of tag.jpg

This watch is fully deserving of its status. It is also the 3rd 1000 - series Titanium Cased Frogman. The first was the "Ruby" (GWF-T1000BS)

Ruby.jpg

With arguably the coolest screwback of all time on a G-Shock

GWF-T1000BS screwback.jpg

The 2nd Ti 1000-series Frogman was in the Rising Red wave. 300 pieces.

GWF-T1030A.jpg

And this one is the 3rd

1030 Packed with Sand Kailua Beach.jpg

There may have been 333 made, but it was very tough to get!

1030 Upright Kailua Beach.jpg

Really I'm just posting photos of this great watch with a few thoughts in between

1030 External shaping Kailua Beach.jpg

I do love the external shaping on the strap

1030 External Strap Shaping North Shore.jpg

As well as the shaping on the inside

1030 Internal Ribbing Kailua Beach.jpg

1030 Internal Ribbing North Shore.jpg

A little ambiance

1030 Ambiance Kailua Beach.jpg

Buckle and keeper

1030 Buckle and Keeper Kailua Beach.jpg
 

chrisek

Moderator
The red rings on the buttons are also super cool

1030 Red Rings on Buttons North Shore.jpg

And the screwback is nice (shared with the Rising Red)

1030 Screwback North Shore.jpg

1030 Screwback half Shade Kailua Beach.jpg

And set up in the sand

1030 Posing North Shore.jpg

And parting with another great shot.

1030 Colors Kailua Beach.jpg

I hope this answers any questions about this wonderful wave. Let me know if you have any questions or if you want any additional specific photos. :encouragement:
 
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