There are a lot of great options out there when it comes to all-weather, multi-use watches. Casio have been big players in the space for a long time, with great G-Shock watches like the G-Shock Rangeman and the G-Shock Frogman in their roster. The jewel in their crown, however, is the G-Shock Mudmaster series that inspired this G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 review.
Designed by Kikuo Ibe, this rugged analog watch sports a near-indestructible build and a bevy of great technical features. The GWG-2000 edition is one of its best iterations yet as it offers several advances in design.
In this Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 review, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of the Mudmaster GWG-2000 (alongside the Mudmaster GG-1000 and GGB-100 series), so that you can decide if one of them is worthy of becoming your new favorite timepiece.
Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000Quick Overview
With a sturdy overall build quality, a bevy of brilliant built-in features, and a streamlined if simplistic design, the G-Shock Mudmaster is a fantastic field watch for any outdoorsman. It may not be the lightest watch you’ll ever wear, but it is incredibly durable, and the GWG2000 series bridges the gap nicely between the lightweight G-Shock GGB100 and the bulky original GWG1000.
Functionality
9/10
Style
6.5/10
Dependability
10/10
Value
7/10
What We Like
Incredible durability
Wide range of sensors
Radio controlled
Solar battery
What We Don’t Like
Backlight could be brighter
Too bulky for smarter outfits
Difficult to navigate so many features
Design and Style
The G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 is a masterful piece of kit in many departments, but the first thing that hits you about this watch is the quality of its components. This watch is a joy to handle, thanks to its sturdy carbon core guard structure, which lends the watch face a lot of bulk as well as a great deal of strength.
This core guard incorporates stainless steel and resin elements, while the watch band itself is made from weather and shock-resistant resin. Overall, it’s hard to scratch or damage any of these components, and the band shows minimal wear even after dropping in mud, scraping on scree slopes, and soaking in water.
Aesthetically, these material elements build a nice color and texture profile, especially in the tan/black GWG-2000-1A5 colorway. There’s no getting away from the fact that the GWG-2000 is rather bulky, and it’s a fair measure heavier than the Mudmaster GGB100-1B or Mudmastermaster GGB100-1A5 watch at 106g, but that doesn’t mean it’s too big to wear casually. It still pairs well with hiking and sports gear as well as workwear, and works nicely as an everyday watch. Just don’t go pairing this with a three-piece suit, as it’s prone to clipping over jacket cuffs and can look a bit out of place with smarter outfits.
G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 Features / Functionality
In our G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 review, we looked at sensor functions, backlight and display, and calibration and battery.
Full list of features
- Shock-resistant structure
- Dust- and mud-resistant structure
- 20-bar water resistance
- Case material varies by model (mineral glass, sapphire crystal, carbon fiber, and more)
- Tough Solar (Solar powered)
- Radio-controlled (Multi Band 6)
- Auto hand home position correction
- Hand shift feature (we found this to be a very cool feature)
- Temperature sensor
- World time (29 cities) / multi-time
- Digital compass
- Barometer / air pressure sensor
- Altimeter / altitude readings
- Thermometer
- 1/100-second stopwatch
- Countdown timer
- Solar power charging
- Step counter
- 5 daily alarms
- Full-auto double LED light (Super Illuminator)
Sensor functions
Aesthetics aside, the Casio Mudmaster is a pretty sophisticated timepiece. It’s rare to find a watch with as many functions as this one, especially considering the GWG-2000 doesn’t rely on smartphone connectivity. Everything in this model is built-in, from the altimeter to the barometer to the compass. You’ve got 29 time zones to choose from too, as well as Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature sensors, and the time itself is calibrated via radio signal for maximum accuracy.
The only tricky part is navigating all of these features. You’ll have to use all five face buttons to swap between various modes, as well as the crown in some circumstances, like swapping your home city or current location. This is a generally intuitive process, but it’s easy to accidentally go past the menu you need by pressing a button one too many times. This means you end up having to repeat the button cycle all over again, all just to fiddle with an alarm or stopwatch setting.
Designed to handle the harshest, roughest on-land environments. Constructed to withstand all the mud and sand your adventures may bring. Leverages exterior technology to deliver a smaller profile with an even better fit. Triple sensor measurements keep you updated with direction, altitude, barometric pressure, and temperature readings. MUDMASTER designed for practicality, durability, and power.
Backlight and display
It’s great that the G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 packs in so much tech, and with Neobrite-coated hands and markers it’s easy to check the time even in low light conditions. The clock uses the traditional analogue hands, but other data appears in the digital display.
The only complaint in this department lies with the backlight on the digital display. If you’re checking your sensors in low light, it can be quite difficult to read the figures on the digital screen at times, even when your watch is fully charged. This is a minor problem overall, but it can get a little annoying if you’re camping out or hiking late in the evening and require the altimeter or barometer. You may have to provide an additional light source to see the LCD screen.
Calibration and battery
Casio have made it super convenient to calibrate and maintain the GWG-2000. It’s one of the two G-Shock Mudmaster solar watches, along with the GWG-1000, that are powered by sunlight alone, so there’s no need to ever change the battery.
Approx. battery life:
- 6 months on rechargeable battery with normal use without exposure to light after charge.
- 25 months on rechargeable battery when stored in total darkness with the power save function on after full charge.
On top of this, rather than syncing up to a smartphone like the GGB-100, the GWG-2000 uses radio calibration to maintain an accurate time. Radio signals are available via various stations across 29 time zones, each with a 1000KM+ range, making this a great choice of watch for backwater hikes and off-grid journeys alike.
That said, like all G-Shock watches, you can sync the GWG-2000 with the G-Shock App.
Who Should Buy the G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000?
The Casio Mudmaster is a great watch for anyone who enjoys outdoor adventures, especially rock climbers, mountain bikers, and folks who enjoy regular camping and hiking activities. It stands up to water well enough to be worn when kayaking or fishing, with 200-meter depth resistance, and it dries off fairly quickly when soaked. (It goes nicely with other outdoor equipment like the Nomatic Backpack or the Benchmade Bugout.)
The GWG-2000 is the ultimate model when it comes to durability and reliability, whereas the G-Shock GGB-100 is a better pick for those who want something a little more lightweight.
The GWG-2000 models are a little bit more costly at around than the Mudmaster GG-B100, with the former going for around $600-800, and the latter placing at $250-$380. Still, the sheer durability of the GWG-2000 means it has great value over time, as it’s unlikely to need frequent repairs or replacement parts. As such, the Mudmaster GG-B100 is a great starter watch for budding outdoorsmen, whereas the GWG series is a nice upgrade for those looking for a long-term investment.
G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 Review Final Thoughts
The G-Shock Mudmaster watch is a remarkable piece of modern technology, and the Mudmaster GGB100 and GWG-2000 models (among other G-Shock watches) represent some of the best models in the series so far, with a lightweight design and an unbreakable build respectively.
The GWG-2000 does carry over some of the GWG-1000’s original issues, from a poor backlight to an overall bulky design, but overall these are small concessions to make for what really is a brilliantly versatile outdoorsman’s watch and a marvel of wearable technology.
Designed to handle the harshest, roughest on-land environments. Constructed to withstand all the mud and sand your adventures may bring. Leverages exterior technology to deliver a smaller profile with an even better fit. Triple sensor measurements keep you updated with direction, altitude, barometric pressure, and temperature readings. MUDMASTER designed for practicality, durability, and power.
