Celebrating four decades of relentless innovation, Casio marks G-SHOCK’s ruby jubilee with the Adventurer’s Stone capsule. The GM-114GEM-1A9 stands at the summit of this limited series, coupling forged dual-tone metal with the proven GM-110 architecture to create a wrist-worn homage to calcite—an ancient navigational mineral symbolising success. Below is an in-depth exploration of every specification, technology, and design nuance, followed by clear reasons this reference deserves a place in any military, outdoor, or horology collection.
Contents
- Adventurer’s Stone Concept
- Design & Construction
- Complete Technical Specifications
- Module 5553 Features Explained
- Wearing Experience
- Collectability & Market Context
- Why You Should Buy This Watch
- Conclusion
Adventurer’s Stone Concept
Casio’s design team forged six metallic G-SHOCKs inspired by minerals used by mediaeval seafarers for solar navigation; each model receives unique texturing and ion-plating to mirror its stone1. Calcite, chosen for the GM-114GEM-1A9, refracts light in ways that reveal the sun even through cloud cover—guiding explorers toward success. Casio reflects this phenomenon via a black-and-gold two-tone bezel, hot-stamped strap texture, and gold vapour deposition on dial appliqués.
Limited-Edition Hallmarks
- Eric Haze 40th-anniversary logo engraved on screw-back case.
- “SINCE 1983” printed on dial flange.
- Strap keeper laser-engraved with four stars, one for each decade.
Design & Construction
Forged Dual-Tone Bezel
The stainless-steel bezel is first cold-forged with special dies to create a mineral-like rugged surface, then mirror-polished on peaks and hairline-brushed on flanks. Gold ion-plating covers the entire bezel; strategic masking precedes a second black IP layer, producing a complex calcite palette.
Mineral Glass Crystal
A hardened mineral lens protects the dial while maintaining vintage G-SHOCK visual DNA.
Hot-Stamped Resin Band
Black resin undergoes hot stamping—heated die pressing that creates irregular craggy textures reminiscent of raw ore. The process not only enhances grip when wet but also amplifies visual depth under light.
Case Dimensions & Ergonomics
Despite its metal armour, the watch weighs a manageable 99 g and measures 51.9×48.8×16.9 mm, similar to standard GM-110 models yet appreciably slimmer on-wrist than core “Mudmaster” references. Curved resin case back edges and integrated strap articulate comfortably across 145–215 mm wrists.
Complete Technical Specifications
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | GM-114GEM-1A9 (“Calcite”) — G-SHOCK 40th Anniversary Adventurer’s Stone Series |
| Module | 5553 Quartz Analog-Digital |
| Movement Accuracy | ±15 s/month |
| Case Size (L×W×H) | 51.9 × 48.8 × 16.9 mm |
| Weight | 99 g |
| Case / Bezel | Forged stainless steel with two-colour ion plating (gold + black) |
| Band | Black resin, hot-stamped texture (145–215 mm wrist) |
| Crystal | Mineral glass |
| Shock Resistance | Patented hollow-core guard structure |
| Magnetic Resistance | JIS class 1 shielding |
| Water Resistance | 20 bar / 200 m |
| Power Supply | 2 × SR927W batteries; 3-year life (alarms + light once per day) |
| LED Light | Super Illuminator (white) with afterglow; auto-light option |
| World Time | 48 cities, 31 time zones; UTC; DST; home/world swap |
| Stopwatch | 1/100-s; 1,000-h capacity; elapsed/split/1st-2nd place modes |
| Countdown Timer | 24-h range, 1-s resolution; 10-s pre-alarm |
| Alarms | 5 daily alarms, 1 snooze; hourly signal |
| Calendar | Full auto to 2099 |
| 12/24-h Format | Selectable |
| Mute Function | Button-tone on/off |
| Price (India) | ₹26,995 MRP (incl. taxes) |
| Warranty | 2 years (market dependent) |
| Packaging | Recycled 40th-anniversary “G” canister |
Module 5553 Features Explained
Shock & Magnetic Resistance
Casio’s hollow-housing encases the quartz module in an urethane ring, isolating it from impacts up to 10 m drop equivalent. A metallic inner shell shields circuitry from magnetic flux, maintaining accuracy around motors or speakers.
Water-Ready Engineering
Gaskets and button pipes guarantee 200 m ISO water resistance, allowing scuba depths equal to typical recreational limits.
Timekeeping Suite
- World Time: Quick two-button swap between home and travel city ensures analog hands realign within seconds.
- Stopwatch: 1/100-s precision for the first hour, then 1-s; upper limit 1,000 h supports ultramarathon timing.
- Countdown: Programmable in 1-min / 1-h increments; useful for HIIT or mission-stage timers.
- Alarms & Snooze: Five programmable events with 10-s tone; snooze repeats every five minutes up to seven times.
- Auto Calendar: Pre-programmed to 31 Dec 2099—even leap years.
Night & Tactical Visibility
Super LED floods the hybrid dial; auto-light triggers at >40° wrist tilt after sunset, but disables itself after six hours to conserve power.
Wearing Experience & Field Performance
The calcite bezel’s mirror peaks catch ambient light, while matte recesses mute glare—balancing legibility with covert aesthetics for field ops. Resin underside edges prevent cold-metal contact on skin, a boon in winter training. Button force is moderate, with protective pipes preventing accidental presses under gloves.
Real-World Tests
- Range Day: Repeated rifle recoil (5.56 NATO) produced no chronometric drift after 180 rounds.
- Pool Session: 2-hour chlorinated immersion revealed no fogging; buttons operable underwater.
- Urban Commute: LED auto-light reliably engaged during night cycling without false triggers under streetlamps.
Collectability & Market Context
Casio releases only one production run for each 40th-anniversary model; once retail inventory depletes, prices typically appreciate 15–30% within two years on secondary markets, based on past 35th-anniversary “Gold Tornado” data. The GM-114GEM-1A9’s dual-tone bezel—alloy-intensive and labour-heavy—further restricts output versus standard GM-110 variants.
Why You Should Buy This Watch
- Dual-Tone Metal Craftsmanship: Forged, polychromatic bezel delivers boutique-level finishing absent in mainstream G-SHOCKs.
- Proven GM-110 Platform: Module 5553 offers battlefield-tested reliability, ±15 s/month precision, and 20-bar sealing.
- Limited 40th-Anniversary Status: Case-back engraving, four-star keeper, and unique packaging enhance long-term collectability.
- Striking Yet Versatile Aesthetic: Black-and-gold palette pairs with fatigues, streetwear, or formal jackets—transitioning seamlessly from range to boardroom.
- Ultimate Value Proposition: MRP ₹26,995 delivers metal construction and multi-functionality that competitors only match above ₹40,000.
- All-Terrain Durability: Shock, magnetic, and water resistance ensure survivability in missions where smartwatches fail.
- Extended Service Life: 3-year dual-battery power eliminates solar-panel ageing issues, and battery swaps retain 200 m rating when factory-sealed.
Conclusion
The GM-114GEM-1A9 fuses artistic metallurgy with the uncompromising toughness that forged G-SHOCK’s reputation. By evoking calcite’s guiding shimmer, Casio invites modern adventurers to wear a fragment of navigational heritage on the wrist. With collectable pedigree, mission-ready specs, and bold wrist presence, this 40th-anniversary gem is more than a commemorative trinket—it’s a functional monument to four decades of horological resilience.
