G-SHOCK Reimagines Its Blackout Classics With Tactical Red LCDs

G-SHOCK has always understood that tough and tactical doesn’t have to be boring. The brand’s latest Black & Bold Red Series proves just that, taking five of their most recognizable silhouettes and giving them black housing with red-tinted LCD screens reminiscent of aircraft radar screens.

Building on Black & Bold Legacy

This isn’t G-SHOCK’s first Black & Bold release. Debuting a few years back, the design theme has become a popular choice for those who want to imbue their streetwear ensemble with tactical or military inspiration. What started as scattered blackout colorways across iconic silhouettes like the DW-5600 and GA-2100 eventually coalesced into a recognizable visual language, prioritizing stealth over flashiness.

The current Red series represents an evolution of that philosophy. Where previous Black & Bold releases relied heavily on negative LCD displays and complete blackouts, this collection introduces the red-tinted screens as a functional twist. 

Five Models, One Unified Vision

For the task, G-SHOCK chose five models that represent different aspects of their catalog. Obviously, the brand opted for the DW-5600BBR-1, which puts the new aesthetic in their square-cased line that traces its lineage back to 1983. Featuring its popular CasiOak case, the GA-B2100BBR-1A brings modern connectivity to the range with Bluetooth and Tough Solar. The red LCD is minimal here, since it only graces the digital dial elements, not analog.

The other ana-dig timepiece in this collection is the GA-700BBR-1A, which brings the tactical look to arguably G-SHOCK’s most tactical design. This one will be a popular choice simply for the cohesion of theming. As for the GD-010BBR-1, the rounder dial shape pushes the tactical motif to the forefront and shows notably larger digital text compared to most G-SHOCK models. Also, it boasts an impressive 10-year battery life to boot.

Meanwhile, the GX-56BBR-1 has its aesthetic roots in the original 5600 but amplifies the ruggedness with mud and shock resistance, and adds Tough Solar charging as well. The inclusion of the GX-56 is important, since, following the discontinuation of the GX-56TU-1A5, this becomes the sole remaining GX-56 model with a positive (non-inverted) display. 

A Heritage Play With Modern Sensibilities

Offering an alternative from the Casio sub-brand’s inverted displays we’ve seen dominate recent releases, the red-tinted displays are striking at first glance but also serve a functional purpose for maintaining night vision. The black digits against the red backdrop create an unusual but effective contrast that helps with readability while keeping your night vision intact.

Housed in black resin cases with matching bands, the LED backlighting is an interesting choice. Unlike some tactical watches that use red backlighting with white digits, these maintain the red background with black digits when illuminated. Visually it won’t be for everyone but could offer better night vision preservation compared to traditional white LED setups.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

The Black & Bold Red Series is available now through G-SHOCK retailers and their online store, with pricing ranging from $99 to $150. While not designated as limited editions, G-SHOCK’s color series typically don’t run indefinitely, so enthusiasts shouldn’t expect these to be permanent additions to the lineup.

Recap

G-SHOCK Black & Bold Red Series

G-SHOCK added red-tinted LCD screens to five of its most popular watch models with the latest tactical-inspired Black & Bold series release.

Learn More: G-SHOCK