I can still remember clear as day when I bought my first Casio G-Shock. It was 1995. I was still in school and had to save for 4 months to be able to afford the DW-6900. I remember seeing the G-Shock in an action movie and how the display lit up in the dark to show the countdown timer. I was speechless. It was the coolest wristwatch I had seen in my life and I knew immediately that I had to have one.

What I didn’t know at that time was that the G-Shock series from Casio had been around since 1983. Developed by Kikuo Ibe, Casio wanted to make a wristwatch that had a battery life of at least 10 years, that could withstand water pressure of up to 10 bar (100 metres) and that could survive a fall of 10 metres. And so the DW-5000SP was born. And with its chunky, square design, it’s still available today, and has long since become a classic, remaining ever popular with G-Shock fans.

At the start of the 90s and several iterations later, Casio released the first of the models with the classic round design and the large light button on the bottom edge of the casing.

The robust construction and the relatively low price quickly made the G-Shock a favourite among professionals who required a wristwatch that was reliable under tough conditions. Some models were even flight-qualified for NASA space travel and they were also very popular among the Special Forces. That brought considerable popularity and, of course, a certain cool. It wasn’t long before G-Shocks had won over both sportspeople and fashionistas.

Casio has continued to develop the series ever since. Over 20 years ago, they started bringing out models with built-in altimeters and thermometers. Particularly the high-end “Masters of G” range specialised in these more technical functions.

To celebrate the 32nd anniversary of G-Shock, Casio Deutschland has brought out a limited edition of the Mudmaster GWG-1000, limited—accordingly—to only 32 units worldwide. The set comes with a shock-proof and waterproof case, a Leatherman Wingman and, of course, the numbered, limited-edition Mudmaster that will set the heart of every outdoor-enthusiast pumping. In the mud-resistant structure is Casio’s Triple Sensor system, which includes a digital compass, altimeter, barometer and thermometer. Further, the watch is radio-controlled, solar-powered and water resistant to a depth of 200 metres.

Importantly, the special edition Mudmaster GWG-1000 can only be purchased in Germany, and only from selected retailers, making it an instant collector’s item. The announcement of the special edition came at a presentation in Hamburg, which was followed by a party in Mojo Club with special performances from German artists Chefket and DJ Stylewars.

I find it fantastic that even after 32 years the G-Shock collection still manages to stay young and fresh, thanks in part to the numerous collaborations with exciting artists, designers and other legendary brands. Even models that have already been on the market for years still look new and modern, as if they had been designed today.

As for my G-Shock from 1995, I still have it and it was with some pride that I wore it to the presentation in Hamburg. And it still runs as perfectly and reliably as it did when I bought it—of course, with a couple of battery changes over the years. It is, after all, over 20 years old now.