Casio G-Shock GBX-100 Review: The Ultimate Surf Watch for Portugal?

Over the last few summer months, many of our weeks together revolved around swimming pools, lakes, and anything water-related. The kids are now at an age where the kiddie slides just don’t cut it anymore. That’s how surfing eventually came up. The more we talked about it, the more I loved the idea of doing a surf course together in Portugal or France next year.

Regardless of our trip planning, one question naturally crossed my mind: Which G-Shock would be the right choice for an aspiring surfer?

During my research, I stumbled upon the Casio G-Shock GBX-100—a watch from the G-LIDE series specially designed for surfers and water sports enthusiasts. Features like tide data, moon phases, and sunrise/sunset times immediately caught my eye. Honestly, those are exactly the kinds of features I find hard to resist.

So, I ordered the watch and wore it for the first two weeks in my everyday life—not on the waves of Portugal just yet, but on my commute to work, while working out, playing with the kids, and handling daily tasks.

After just a few days, one thing was clear: the GBX-100 isn’t just for surfers. The brilliant MIP display, premium metal bezel, and great comfort make it surprisingly appealing as an everyday watch.

What makes the GBX-100 actually so special?

The GBX-100 is part of the G-LIDE series, which is tailored specifically for people who spend time by the ocean. While many classic G-Shocks are built for everyday wear or outdoor activities, the G-LIDE series focuses heavily on water sports.

For surfers, factors like tides, moon phases, and sunrise times are essential. The GBX-100 delivers this information directly to your wrist. Through the Casio app, you can select from thousands of surf spots worldwide to sync the exact tide data you need.

Casio didn’t create the GBX-100 as a direct competitor to smartwatch giants like Garmin or Apple. Instead, it was built as a rugged, specialized watch designed to excel where typical fitness trackers fall short: out in the ocean.

The main advantages and disadvantages

GBX-100 vs GBD-200: Which one fits better to you?

At first glance, both watches look almost identical, but in practice, they serve completely different purposes. While the GBD-200* is designed primarily as a fitness and everyday watch, the GBX-100 targets people who spend time on the water on a regular basis.

What does the tide feature actually do?

Geklärte / Korrigierte Fassung:

The tide function was initially the most interesting feature of the watch for me. Since I don’t live anywhere near the ocean, I had no practical experience with features like this.

However, anyone who surfs—or has looked into the topic—quickly realizes why this information is so crucial. Many surf spots react completely differently depending on the tide and water level, and wave quality can change drastically between high and low tide.

That’s when it first became clear to me why surfers pay so much attention to these stats. Until you dive deeper into the topic, tide information might seem like just another gimmick. In reality, it can decide whether a spot actually offers good conditions or not.

Through its tide graph, the GBX-100 shows right on your wrist how the water level evolves throughout the day, making it much easier to spot the ideal time window.

• High tide times

• Low tide times

• Daily tide trends

• Moon phases

• Sunrise times

• Sunset times

In everyday life, I obviously barely used the tide function. That’s hardly the watch’s fault, though—Würzburg isn’t exactly famous for being a surfing hotspot.

For surfers, this information is particularly valuable. But anglers, sailors, stand-up paddlers, or anyone who regularly visits coastal areas can benefit from it as well.

By the time I started preparing for my planned surf trip to Portugal, it became crystal clear why Casio created this model. The data isn’t just a gimmick—it actually holds practical value.

14 Days on the Wrist: How Does the GBX-100 Hold Up in Everyday Life?

Geklärte / Korrigierte Fassung:

Even though Casio developed this watch specifically for water sports, most owners will likely spend significantly more time wearing the GBX-100 in everyday life than out on the ocean.

During my two-week test, I immediately noticed how comfortable the watch is to wear. Despite its bold look, it feels surprisingly lightweight. The resin strap is comfortable on the wrist and doesn’t cause any pressure points, even in warmer temperatures.

I was particularly impressed by the buckle. It feels much sturdier than those on many cheaper digital models, adding to the overall impression of quality and durability.

However, the real star remains the MIP display. Surprisingly, the tide function didn’t end up being my favorite feature after all. Instead, I genuinely appreciated the exceptional readability of the MIP display every single day. Just like on the GBD-200, it’s easily one of the greatest strengths of this watch.

In fact, it’s one of the best displays Casio currently builds into a digital G-Shock. Readability is outstanding, and it packs significantly more information onto the screen than traditional LCD G-Shocks.

Throughout the entire testing period, the watch performed with total reliability. Time, date, world time, activity data, and the tide graph were effortless to check at a moment’s notice.

Who should buy the GBX-100?

• • Surfers and aspiring surfers

• • Kitesurfers

• • Stand-up paddlers

• • Sailors

• • Anglers

• • Beachgoers

• • G-Shock fans looking for something unique

However, for those who just want to count steps or receive smartphone notifications, the GBD-200 is often the more affordable alternative.

FAQ

• • Is the GBX-100 a smartwatch? No. While it offers Bluetooth connectivity and basic notifications, it is first and foremost a G-Shock with additional smart features.

    Do you really need the tide function? Only if you spend time by the ocean on a regular basis. For water sports enthusiasts, however, it’s one of the main reasons to buy it.

    Is the GBX-100 waterproof? Yes. Like most G-Shocks, it features a water resistance rating of 20 bar (200 meters).

    Is the GBX-100 better than the GBD-200? It depends on how you plan to use it. For water sports, absolutely. For general fitness and daily wear, both models are very close.

    Is the metal bezel worth it? Absolutely. It makes a much bigger difference in person than product photos would lead you to believe.

Final Recommendation

Originally, I bought the GBX-100 because I was looking for a watch for my upcoming surf course. However, after two weeks of daily wear, I realized that its strengths go far beyond just its surfing features.

The MIP display is easily one of the best screens Casio currently offers. The metal bezel gives the watch a noticeably more premium look than many other digital G-Shocks, and the wearing comfort is outstanding.

If you spend time in the water on a regular basis, the tide and moon data offer genuine value. On the other hand, if you’re looking purely for a fitness watch, you’re better off going with the GBD-200.

For me, the GBX-100 is one of the best-looking modern digital G-Shocks overall—and it’s very likely the watch that will be traveling to Portugal with me next year.

Check it out on Amazon here → Casio GBX-100*

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