CASIO GW500A-1V Black G-Shock Atomic Solar Watch with resin band CASIO GW500A-1V Black G-Shock Atomic Solar Watch with resin band

Pros: Solar recharging, resets with atomic clock in CO nightly, rugged, durable.

Cons: Typical of most decent digital watches, it has so many features I can't remember how to ever change anything on it without downloading the manual and reading up on it ! It also has a rather distinctive look that you probably either really like or really don't.

Other Thoughts: I've had this watch for about 5 years now. I run outside about 5 days a week and ride a motorcycle as much as possible when the weather allows. Both of those activities have caused every watch I've previously owned to fog up when the weather changes or leak and completely break when submerged. I'm a cop and a SWAT operator so both at work and in training we do a lot of rough activity and the watch has really held up beyond my expectations. I also went scuba diving in about 30 feet of water in Cozumel and it held up just fine to that.
In fact when the watch band broke last year (and the band was a bit more expensive than I liked) I decided to shell out the $20 for the band and keep using the watch cuz it's the only one that's ever really worked for me. I would really recommend it if you like its features cuz it's quite durable. I can only guess some of the negative posts on here folks got a miserable dud which of course is frustrating if Casio is being a dink. My experience has been A

Pros: I own the predecessor to this watch, which is identical in every way but color (my watch has more black in it). I have owned it for 4 years now, and it works as well as it did the day I bought it. The time stays accurate, and the screen has stayed unscratched even though I've worn it in some tough work conditions. Also, this rubber band is so durable, it's the only watch I've ever owned for more than a few months where the band has neither broken nor have the holes stretched. The band is firm and the holes are unchanged after 4 years!

Cons: Recently the watch started putting itself to sleep because it hadn't been getting charged enough. Keep in mind, I've owned this for years. During the day it is often under a coat sleeve, or sometimes sits face-down on a desk if I take it off when typing on a computer, and at night it sits in darkness. It would literally shut off while the battery indicator blinked on L.

I have got into the habit of sitting it face-up under a lamp at night, every night (a lamp with a florescent bulb) and after a couple of weeks the charge is back up to H from the watch being dead. So this "con" isn't much of a con, just something to keep in mind if you buy one.

Other Thoughts: I wanted to address a couple of questions/concerns others have had. First, the "auto illuminate" feature, which automatically illuminates the face when the watch is tilted for viewing, can be turned on and off by holding down on the illuminate button for a couple of seconds. You'll hear a beep when it toggles, and the right-most dial on the face (the one divided into six pie pieces) will change on the section called "Auto EL" (the bottom-left piece) to show you if that feature is on or off.

The left-most dial, which was mentioned as being "useless" before, is the equivalent of an analog time-keeping dial. Each piece in that dial represents a 5 minute time segment, and it alternates filling up each hour and emptying the next hour. So, as I type this, my watch says it is 11:15; 3/4 of the dial is black to show that a quarter of the hour has passed. I don't know how useful this feature is, but that's what it's for.

Pros: Does everything I need and more. Good back light with readable dial.

Cons: Not real fond of the wrist band, but that's what the G-Shocks come with.

Other Thoughts: Does anyone need the time in Cairo?

Pros: Great watch as long as it lasts.....

Cons: Went in swimming pool, watch leaked, and will not operate. Tried to dry-out with no sucsess. Casio will not repair without cost.

Other Thoughts: I guess this is just a throw-away if you own it for more than a year, the length of the warranty....

Pros: Solar recharging of the battery.
Atomic Time

Cons: Went rafting on the New River and did some leaps from rocks into the river. Watch never hit anything but there was water inside the face. I assume this was due to the force from hitting the water but I would think a watch labeled "G-Shock" could handle that (my Casio dive watch has endured much worse).

Other Thoughts: I know the reputation of G-Shock watches but this one does not hold up. I may have received a lemon but it was out of warranty and Casio wants $56.12 to fix it and send back. I could get a new one for that!

Pros: If you do what the booklet says, (get a magnifying glass) you won't have a problem. Mine updates with Colorado every morning, no problem. My battery stays on fully charged, but the first day out of the box, it went down to medium. It had not seen light for 2 months. Generally speaking, it works great.

Cons: This watch desperately needs light. Without it, it will die. You have to be in habit of wearing short sleeve shirts.

Other Thoughts: Follow the booklet for initial setup and for updating from Colorado and give it light and this watch will take care of itself. You won't even have to push a button if you don't want to.

Pros: Bought this watch for my cousin. He loves it so much, he sleeps with it. lol

Cons: none

Other Thoughts: G-Shock is the best practical watch out there.

Pros: Solar powered
-Accurate time via atomic clock in the USA, supposedly so accurate the time will go off by a second after about a billion years (no joke!).
-Sturdy construction with Ionized metal & rubber composites.
-Rated at 200 Meters

Cons: -A little bulky.

Other Thoughts: Has three dials on the top, dial on the left has no purpose, I tried asking Casio what it does, and they said they have no idea. Middle dial tells you how much battery there is. The right dial has a bunch indicators for Daylight Savings, Auto light, and such. I love this watch!

Pros: I own 2 Casio Atomic Solar watches. Plus another one I gave as a gift. I purchased 2 from New Egg.
My oldest Casio Atomic Solar is over 8 years old.
Pros: No batteries to change. Automatic setting for time. Much better than more expensive watches that operate on batteries. Watch keeps exact time.

Cons: In the North East of the U.S. the watch runs down due to early darkness.
Then it goes into a recharge mode for 12 or more hours.
Avoid lifting the arm you wear the watch on, as the watch will light up, and use more battery power. That feature is built in for all Casio Atomic Solar models.

Other Thoughts: Recharge: During daylight when not wearing the watch let the watch recharge on a window sill. When it is dark, recharge the watch with any indoor light source, or even a street lamp.
The Casio Atomic Solar has a life of 47 to 49 years, based on the calendar program inside the watch. Probably can last forever.

Pros: Great all-around watch. The other reviewers said it better.

Cons: Too expensive for the glass quality.

Other Thoughts: While this is a great watch in every respect, please keep in mind that it gets scratched like any ten bucks cheapo. I don't know if I can change the glass, but after less than 2 years of use, not abuse, it's useless.