For nearly a decade, the smartwatch owned the wrist. Fitness tracking, notifications, payment pings, all strapped to your arm. But walk through a college canteen or a Mumbai metro compartment this month and you will spot something unexpected: chunky, screenless, unmistakably tough watches making a comeback. Casio has noticed, and on Thursday it answered the moment with the launch of the all-new G-Shock 2500 series in India, the same day as the global launch.
The timing is no accident. Takuto Kimura, managing director of Casio India, told The Indian Express this week that “more people are switching from smartwatches to G-Shock watches”, and that the shift “is moving very quickly in India, driven by the country’s large young population.”
Meet the “CasioNaut”: G-Shock’s first fully analogue watch
The 2500 series is one of the worst-kept secrets in affordable watches. Casio briefly leaked it in Japan months ago, and enthusiasts promptly nicknamed it the “CasioNaut” for its clean, octagonal look. Now it is official: nine fully analogue G-Shocks with no screens, no digital readouts and no Bluetooth connectivity.
Instead of a display, you get a two-handed central time display, a small seconds subdial and a date display. The design borrows the original G-Shock’s octagonal case and protective button guards, first seen on the DW-5000C in 1983, but swaps the familiar digital window for a minimalist analogue dial. It also strongly resembles the hugely popular GA-2100, the “CasiOak” that became a streetwear staple.
Under the hood sits Casio’s new quartz module, the 5757. The date display pulls double duty: date in normal mode, elapsed time in stopwatch mode via the pusher at 8 o’clock. Then there is the “Multi-Mission Date”, a fan-shaped display at 3 o’clock that shows the date, elapsed stopwatch minutes and calendar settings. Add 200 metres of water resistance, LED illumination, an auto-calendar that runs to 2099 and a one-second stopwatch, and this is a watch built to be worn hard.
Price and models in India
According to The Indian Express’s launch report, prices run from Rs 9,995 to Rs 26,995 across three families: resin-based GAC-2500 models at the entry point, the GMC-2500 line with a metal-clad bezel and resin strap, and the GMC-2500D with a full metal bracelet at the top end. Dial colours run from classic black through green, white, yellow, blue, silver and gold. Globally the range starts around $145, and in Japan it is priced between ¥20,900 and ¥49,500, with the Japan release set for November 7.
Why young India is going screenless
The bigger story is not just a watch launch. It is the cultural shift behind it. Kimura told The Indian Express that young consumers “are shaping trends, looking to global markets for inspiration and then adapting those trends to local preferences,” and that “the younger generation tends to wear watches as a way to express their style rather than simply as timekeeping devices. They are more connected to culture, music, sports and art.”
The market, he says, is “gradually shifting towards screenless wearables and even analogue watches, which offer functionality without the distractions of notifications and constant connectivity.” There is also the battery question: the 2500’s power-saving second-hand stop stretches battery life to around five years, against a nightly smartwatch charge. For a generation tired of pings and alerts, a watch that only tells time feels like a small act of rebellion.
Smartwatch vs the analogue comeback
None of this means the smartwatch is finished. For runners and anyone tracking workouts, a connected watch still earns its place. But the wrist is becoming a style decision again:
- Style over specs: young buyers are building a “watch wardrobe”, choosing pieces for occasions instead of one do-everything device.
- Screen fatigue: after years of notifications, a watch that just tells time is a relief.
- Brand with history: G-Shock has four decades of street credibility, from hip-hop culture to military service.
- Zero maintenance: years of battery life and 200M water resistance mean it survives college life, monsoon and the gym.
Should you buy the G-Shock 2500?
If you loved the CasiOak but wanted something leaner, the 2500 deserves a look. The analogue movement keeps it slim, the new date-stopwatch module is genuinely clever, and a starting price under Rs 10,000 puts it within reach of a first “proper” watch. Just remember what it is not: no heart-rate sensor, no GPS, no app. If you want a watch that looks like a statement and asks for nothing in return, the CasioNaut might be exactly your speed.
FAQs
When did the G-Shock 2500 launch in India?
Casio launched the G-Shock 2500 series in India on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the same day as the global launch. The nine-model collection goes on sale in November.
What is the G-Shock 2500 price in India?
As per The Indian Express’s launch report, prices range from Rs 9,995 for the resin models to Rs 26,995 for the metal-bracelet versions.
Why is the G-Shock 2500 called the “CasioNaut”?
The nickname came from watch enthusiasts after Casio briefly leaked the watch in Japan. It is a fan name, not an official one.
Are smartwatches dying in India?
Not quite. Smartwatches still sell well for fitness and connectivity. But Casio India’s MD says more young buyers are switching to screenless and analogue watches like the G-Shock, treating watches as style statements rather than gadgets.
Less screen, more style. Going by the buzz around the CasioNaut, that bet might just pay off.
