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

[chrisek]

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).



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.



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.



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



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



I received a box.



From my good friend Yohei.



Well packaged, carefully wrapped



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



Sure enough, the Wave had arrived!!!

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



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



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



Inside is a matching tin



And inside the tin, of course, the watch.



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.



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.



A few shots of the screwback with different lighting and backgrounds









Continuing on. . . .

 

[chrisek]

Starting off with another nice face shot



The straps and buttons





And parting shot for this wonderful watch



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



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



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.



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





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



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



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





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



And a little closer





Just another nice shot



The grill protecting the sensor



The red ring on the main compute button is also cool

 

[chrisek]

Final shot of the Rangeman before moving on



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.



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



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



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



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



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).



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



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









And in indirect lighting, it just glows



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





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).





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



Or in the park



It works for me

 

[chrisek]

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





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





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



And parting shot.



One watch left, the grail :devilish:

 

[chrisek]

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





There is a trunk inside!



Pull the trunk out



And open 'er up



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



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



And if you open it up



And see the back



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)



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



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



And this one is the 3rd



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



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



I do love the external shaping on the strap



As well as the shaping on the inside





A little ambiance



Buckle and keeper

 

[chrisek]

The red rings on the buttons are also super cool



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





And set up in the sand



And parting with another great shot.



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:

 

[chrisek]

Photos are from two different beaches and a local park. Hope you enjoyed it!

 

[cedric]

Oh my goodness, yellow madness in full effect. Love them all, love this thread with all the awesome pictures.

P.S i need to stop seeing pictures of the RR and LY squares, they are looking more and more tempting!

 

[chrisek]

Cedric, if you are looking at the squares, I would suggest getting the yellow one and adding the red to you hunting list

sent with aloha

 

[rutteger]

Thanks for taking the time to post that up Chris. Amazingly detailed thread and an awesome overview of one of the best drops in Casio's 30th release (curiously absent from certain top 10 lists elsewhere).

Thread of the year