Titanium G-Shocks: Peak G-Shock and/or Irrational Purchase?
To me a G-Shock was always a bit of a living fossil, a nostalgic throwback to the 80s and 90s that I grew up in — kind of clunky, a bit outdated, yet still relevant and cool today. Simply put, G-Shocks to me are the Air Jordans of the watch world.
G-Shocks are also not safe queens that are pampered and protected and brought out for special occasions. They’re meant to go out into the world with you every day and any day to kick ass and get its ass kicked. And best thing about G-Shocks is that they’re so damned affordable…
…So why am I sitting here writing this post with a G-Shock GMW-B5000-TVA Titanium Virtual Armor (TVA) that retails for $1,650 on my wrist?
Granted, the titanium case and bracelet, STN LCD screen and sapphire crystal are definite improvements but that alone can’t justify a price15x over a GWM5610 that essentially has the same functionality except for a somewhat gimmicky Bluetooth feature.
I don’t think I have a good answer other than the fact that as a fan of classic Japanese sci-fi anime (Gundam, Ghost in the Shell, Akira), I feel pure glee when I look down on my wrist and see the TVA on my wrist. This is a watch that just BELONGS on the wrist of mecha pilot!
But is it worth it? I tell myself it is… as long as I’m willing to wear it with abandon like any other G-Shock. And I think I am. I bet the more dings and scratches it gets, the more it will look like a beat up mech suit and the cooler it will become.
I’d love to hear from the other G-Shock fans on WatchCrunch, are any of you guys also crazy enough to have 1 titanium G-Shock instead of 3 full metal steel or 10 resin ones?
This entire hobby is irrational. The wrist wants what the wrist wants! My most expensive GSHOCK is the first gen full metal G. I paid $500 for it and thought that was totally irrational but I have no regrets. It's still one of my favorites watches. $1650 for a titanium watch with all those bells and whistles sounds reasonable to me.👍👍
You're right, any watch above a couple of hundred dollars is inherently irrational.
Thanks for encouraging my addiction and rationalizations. :)
totally rational. it is titanium!
totally rational. it is titanium!
You mean ‘totally rationalize‘ ;D
Dilemma solved! MR-G Square now announced at US$4,000, making my TVA look like a bargain in comparison. 😜
https://www.gshock.com/watches/mr-g/mrgb5000b-1
I am the wait and watch guy....especially G-Shocks.....I mark up the ones I need and wait for the bargain offers....it will eventually come.....I placed an order for GMW 5000G....the one with the screw down case...it was retailing at $450 before... I got it for $300 now...don't believe when they say it has stopped production...it's just creating demand...
I am the wait and watch guy....especially G-Shocks.....I mark up the ones I need and wait for the bargain offers....it will eventually come.....I placed an order for GMW 5000G....the one with the screw down case...it was retailing at $450 before... I got it for $300 now...don't believe when they say it has stopped production...it's just creating demand...
I commend your patience. Looking/waiting for that bargain is definitely the way to go. Congrats on that GMW-5000G deal. :)
I have to admit, I jumped in on the TVA as soon as I could because I was instantly smitten and was afraid I’d miss out on the limited production run but you’re right, even “limited production” G-Shock models have a way of coming back.
I was able to get a bit of a discount from an out of state AD and together with a Amex signup bonus I had, I feel pretty decent about the “out the door” price I was able to cobble together for the watch.
It’s so irrational. I love this piece and have had the opportunity to try it on and it’s wonderful.
the price though. Ooof.
but it’s wonderful.
nice write up.
Its a gorgeous piece.
Wow looks very nice got to be light ass hell.
This is probably the coolest metal Gshock out there in my opinion. Enjoy it.