Casio G-Shock GMC-2500 CasioNaut: The Nautilus-Style Watch

Every few years a watch comes along that people nickname before the brand has said a word. This time it is the Casio G-Shock GMC-2500 CasioNaut, and yes, the name is a mash-up of Casio and Nautilus. Casio itself calls the range the G-Shock 2500 series, but the internet has decided, and honestly the nickname fits.

Look at a rounded octagon with a slim bezel and a clean, sporty face, and your brain goes straight to a certain very famous, very expensive luxury watch. The difference is that this one comes with a rubber-and-steel shrug and a price that most of us could easily justify.

What the CasioNaut actually is

Strip away the nickname and it is a fresh take on the original G-Shock from 1983, the square DW-5000C. Casio has kept that spirit but softened the corners and rounded the case, so it sits somewhere between old-school tough and quietly smart. The dial is simple: two hands, a tiny seconds dial at 9 o'clock, and a little three-window box at 3 o'clock that handles the date and the stopwatch.

It is fully analogue, no digital screen, no clutter. Just a watch you can glance at and get on with your day.

Three tiers, nine watches

The range has 3 tiers and 3 models within each.

The entry rung is the GAC-2500. It is all resin, light as a feather, and comes in black, white, yellow and a rather lovely dark green. It is the one to grab if you want the look without fuss.

Step up to the GMC-2500 and you get a steel bezel on a resin strap, in black or silver dial versions. There is also a gold-toned version for anyone who wants a little more swagger.

At the top sits the GMC-2500D, which adds a full steel bracelet and comes in a black or blue-grey dial. This is the one that gets closest to the luxury-sports look that started the whole conversation.

Add it all up and you have nine versions across the three tiers.

The clever bit: magnetic hands

Here is the neat trick. The hands are held on magnetically, which lets them absorb knocks instead of snapping off or bending. Give the watch a proper whack and the minute hand might wobble out of place for a moment, then it settles back to the right spot within a few minutes. It is a very G-Shock answer to the question of how you make a delicate-looking analogue watch tough.

It is also built for real life, with 200 metres of water resistance, so swimming, surfing and washing up are all fine.

Sleep mode and battery

You can stop the little seconds hand when you do not need it, which saves battery. Think of it as a nap for the watch. There is no solar and no Bluetooth here, and that is part of the charm: it is a simple watch that does its job and gets out of your way.

Who it is for

If you love the Nautilus shape but not the Nautilus bill, this is your watch. It is also a great pick for anyone who has always liked G-Shocks but wanted something a bit more grown up for the office, dinner or a weekend away.

In Australia the range is listed as coming soon through Casio Australia, so keep an eye out.

At a glance

• GAC-2500 (resin): AU$289, black, green, white or yellow
• GMC-2500 (steel bezel, resin strap): AU$459, or AU$499 in gold
• GMC-2500D (full steel bracelet): AU$559, black or blue-grey dial
• Nine versions in total, all fully analogue
• Magnetic hands that settle back after a knock
• Water resistance: 200m
• Battery: about 2 years, with a seconds-hand sleep mode
• No solar, no Bluetooth

Verdict: A smart, tough, good-looking analogue watch that gives you the luxury-sports vibe without the luxury drama. Pick the resin one for fun, the steel bezel for a step up, or the bracelet if you want the full look.