EXTREMELY durable. I have had two of these. The first one I just simply wore out. It took a long time and truthfully it was still working when I retired it. After wearing it every day for about 15 years the rubber outside case had disintigrated and I was wearing the watch with the bare metal inner case showing. I replaced it with another one and had it for about 7 years when it was ruined in a house fire. All of the plastic/rubber got melted away, but the watch in it's metal inner case was still running for a month or so after the fire. It eventually died but who expects a watch to survive a fire?

I purchased this one as a birthday present for my Dad. He has worn this same watch for years with similar stories about durability.

This is the perfect G-Shock for me. Its super durable, has every basic feature I need and is perfectly sized. Its not too big and its not too small. The LCD is crystal clear and sharp! This watch does have Casio's EL feature so the display will light up evenly making it very easy to read in the dark. It also has a mineral glass crystal which is a big step up from a plastic screen cover. When you buy a G-Shock watch your buying something that's way more durable then a standard watch, your buying something that can be used and abused without worrying too much. The price that Casio sells these at makes this particular G-Shock something of "beater" or everyday watch. I am going to try and keep this watch clean, but I'm also not going to worry about it getting bumped or dropped.

This watch is timeless in its design. It will continue to look good even twenty years from now. Its just so simplistic yet good looking.

I had a last-minute revelation that the cost of a new one would be about the same as a new (original Casio) band and the cost of the additional outer shield (which says "G-Shock) and a jeweler's labor. So I decided on simply getting a new watch, complete with strap, for just a tiny bit more.. I read the reviews first, some pretty scary in talking about non-stainless steel cheapening, or non-functioning ("overly recessed") buttons or faulty light.

I'd say this under oath (and have no vested interest in Casio!) - I've had at least 3 of this exact same model over the past 3 decades or so. All the watches still work, even if a few pins and casings got beat up eventually. Two have had the batteries changed every few years and a new strap once a decade.

This watch is virtually the same exact watch in terms of appearance and function. I was concerned if the calendar included the 2010's, but no worries there. Set it right up, tested that buttons and light-feature are working (they are) and the countdown timer too. Just now I set an alarm and it also worked fine, as always. So that is my experience - an exact-same watch, my "old friend" for snorkeling and day-to-day work - with stopwatch, countdown, and clock all working just fine.

As for manufacture, my last one (whose strap and front harness finally broke) was manufactured in Malaysia, and the one before that in Japan. All are marked with the same model # (different factory codes) and this Chinese incarnation is marked "St. Steel" rather than "stainless" and a few other minor shifts in the back engraving (adding info on the shock casing too). But, so far, wherever it was pieced together or however the parts are procured, this is a standard-issue G-Shock Casio watch, so far exactly the same in appearance and function as my others.

The last thing I'd add is about the comments on skin irritation. Well, I've at times ended up with a red or dry patch on my wrist (especially underneath, as I'll flip the watch to see the front when snorkeling/diving underwater). It's a big piece of steel which may get warm (not from battery; from sun or activity), and the steel back and/or buckle is what has sometimes done a number on my skin too. So I give it a brief rest. For the moment (two days constant wear), no irritation, no difference than any other Casio G-Shock. It's true (but no doubt individual) that the watch and band (bulky and metallic as they are) can cause a rash or dryness, "for some of the people some of the time", but I'm only one person. I don't think it's that common or so big a risk for most people. I wear this watch 24/7 (as it can shower or swim with me and I'm not connected to a phone). Love it still. Time will tell, but so far, so good!

I don't typically review purchases but felt compelled to do so with this watch. This watch exceeded my expectations. I have owned several higher end watches from Luminox to Suunto. I prefer this watch over the $400 watches I have owned. When the band broke on my Suunto Core, I priced them on Amazon for $40. For the same price I thought I would give this watch a try. The size is perfect. Not too big, not too small. If you are looking for a watch that has an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, and warns you when a storm is approaching, buy the Suunto Core. Just plan on shelling out $40 every 12 months when the strap breaks. If you want a no nonsense, rugged watch that only tells time and has basic functions, buy this watch. You will not regret it!

NO BRAINER!!! TAKE MY $$$$$$$$

After many months of contemplating purchasing a smart wrist device (Apple, Fitbit, Garmin) - I realized that all I needed/ wanted was something that told me the time and which had a programmer timer w/ basic alarm features. For $40 and over 30 years of un-changed technology. Where can you go wrong? It strange how happy I am. Almost the same satisfaction I got when from trading in my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland in for a basic 2015 Chevy Equinox w/ zero bells & whistle's..... something about VALUE.