G-Shock Fake vs. Real: 12 Ways to Check Your Watch’s Authenticity

Plus, what to do if you get your hands on a fake

Co-authored by Brad Wells and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: November 7, 2025 Fact Checked

Fake vs. Real G-Shock

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What to Do If Your G-Shock is Fake

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Avoiding Fakes

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FAQs

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G-Shock watches are some of the most popular watches on the market, and many counterfeiters take advantage of this. When buying a G-Shock, it’s important to look for signs that it’s fake, like inaccurate packaging or design details. In this article, we break down everything you need to look for to determine if your G-Shock is fake. We also talk about what to do if you buy a fake, how to avoid fakes, and more!

Best Ways to Check If Your G-Shock Is Fake

The 3-Button Test: Click the bottom-right, top-right, and top-left buttons at the same time to test the display. On fake G-Shocks, this doesn’t do anything.
Packaging: Circular aluminum tin packaging indicates a fake G-Shock.
Back Plate Engravings: Engravings on fakes are uneven and lack depth.
User’s Manual: Fake manuals are mostly in Chinese with smudged text.
Price: If the G-Shock is priced much lower than retail, it’s likely fake.

Section 1 of 4:

Spotting a Fake vs. Real G-Shock

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The 3-button test Perform the 3-button test by pressing the bottom-right, top-left, and bottom-left buttons at the same time. On a real G-Shock, this illuminates each pixel, fully blacking out the screen to test for dead pixels. From there, you can check the module number and other hidden menus by pressing the top-right button. On fake models, this does nothing, so if you suspect you’ve got a fake on your hands, perform the 3-button test.^{[1]
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- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: When you attempt the 3-button test, it doesn’t do anything. The buttons may even feel flimsy or unresponsive.
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Back Plate Engravings The back plate engravings on real G-Shocks are sharp, balanced, and have even spacing with consistent depth. “SHOCK RESIST” is centered and surrounded by other identifying information, like the model number, serial number, and Casio branding. On fake G-Shocks, the engravings tend to have uneven spacing and depth, and the font does not match the official Casio logo.^{[2]
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- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The engravings are thin, uneven, and lack depth. The model and serial numbers are also incorrect and don’t match those on the packaging.
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Packaging Real G-Shock watches come in well-crafted, hexagonal aluminum cases that are housed in cardboard boxes. Both the cases and boxes have the same model numbers and Casio branding. Fake G-Shock watches often come in tins, but they are typically circular and have completely different model numbers from the ones on the watch. Some don’t even come in cases at all!^{[3]
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- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The aluminum tin is circular and has mismatching model numbers with the watch, or it doesn’t come in a tin at all.
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User’s manual Fake manuals have language differences, incorrect model and serial numbers, and smudgy text. Real manuals have cleanly formatted text that features multiple languages. If you’re a first-time buyer, you may not be aware of the differences, but look for text that’s mainly Chinese, missing details, or mismatching serial and model numbers if you suspect your G-Shock is fake.^{[4]
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- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The text is smudgy, incorrectly formatted, and mostly comes in Chinese. Model and serial numbers are also incorrect.
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Water resistance G-Shocks are known for their water resistance, being suited for swimming, showering, and non-professional diving for up to 660 feet (200 meters).^{[5]
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Research source} On real models, this water resistance is consistent, and the watch works just fine if you abide by the resistance numbers. Fake models may claim to be water-resistant, but fail to deliver once you actually get in the water.
- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The water resistance features are marked on the watch, but it isn’t actually water resistant and fails to work when you submerge it in water.
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Display & accuracy Real G-Shocks have a clean, crisp display with easy-to-read text and graphics. The display is also time-accurate, with a 15-second range of difference. On fake G-Shocks, the display may be sloppy, blurry, and hard to read. The time can also range greatly, with minute differences emerging after weeks of use. Match the time to a digital clock, then compare them after a week. If the difference is over 15 seconds, you’ve got a fake.
- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The display is sloppy and hard to read. The time accuracy varies, with a 30-second to a multiple-minute difference.
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Weight Real G-Shocks are heavier than fake G-Shocks. The weight varies between real and fake G-Shocks due to the materials they’re constructed with, which assist with durability and different features. Some real G-Shocks may weigh 70 grams (2.47 oz), while their counterfeits may weigh 45-50 grams (1.59-1.76 oz). If you suspect your G-Shock is fake, grab a scale, convert it to grams or ounces, and check the weight to see if it’s fake.
- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: It weighs less than the standard model is supposed to weigh.
- If you’re unsure of what your G-Shock’s weight is supposed to be, check the Shockbase Weight Overview and search for your watch model.
- You can also check the weight by reviewing the product specifications of your model by locating it on G-Shock’s official website.
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Price Depending on the G-Shock model, prices range from the low hundreds to the upper thousands. If you’re buying from a second-hand seller, these prices will vary, but they generally remain in that range. Fake G-Shocks don’t follow this rule. If the retail price of a model is $135 and a seller is trying to sell it to you for $35 in perfect condition, run for the hills! There’s a good chance it’s a fake.^{[6]
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- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The model you’re looking at is priced significantly lower than retail. For example, a fake GBM2100A-2B may be priced at $80 when real ones are $280.
- G-Shock’s pricing is due to its firm build, water-resistance, and other features, like GPS and alarms.
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Branding The branding on the face and strap of real G-Shocks is sharp, evenly spaced, and uniform. When looking at the branding, you should see a clear “G-SHOCK” on top of the face and “PROTECTION” on the bottom. If you see something like “S-SHOCK” or “SKMEI” and it has thick, uneven lettering, you’ve likely got a fake on your hands.
- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The branding on the face and strap is incorrectly spelled, uneven, thick, or overly bold.
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Illumination Real G-Shock watches have a lume effect, which illuminates the hour and minute hands in the dark to help you see the time. They also have automatic LED lights, which can be activated by pressing the light button for 3-5 seconds. Fake G-Shocks typically don’t have the lume effect or auto LED lights, and if they do, it’s much weaker than on real G-Shocks. ^{[7]
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- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The lume effect and automatic LED functions are not available. If they are, they are significantly weaker than those on real G-Shocks.
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Clasp Real G-Shock clasps are cleanly, evenly engraved with the Casio logo and firmly click into place once you put the watch on. You feel the weight of the clasp on your wrist with real G-Shocks, while fakes weigh less on your wrist. Fake G-Shock clasps also feature weak, inconsistent engraving and an off-center Casio logo with the incorrect font.
- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The clasp is poorly engraved with an off-center Casio logo. It also feels weak and weightless, rather than firm and weighted.
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Hand build Real G-Shock watches have matte grey hands with black or metallic tips, depending on the model. They also have square-edged 12-o’clock markers that align with the lettering on the bezel, making it easier to read the time and other details. Fake hands have weak triangle edges and come in single shades of silver or white, which makes it harder to read the time and other details.
- Signs Your G-Shock is Fake: The hand is silver or white, and the 12-o’clock markers are triangular instead of square, making it harder to read the display’s details.

Section 2 of 4:

What to Do If Your G-Shock is Fake

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Reach out to the seller to see if you can get a refund. Contact the seller and let them know that you suspect the watch is fake. Make sure you provide details that support your suspicions. If the seller wasn’t deliberately trying to scam you, they will likely work with you to supply a refund, especially if they value their customers’ satisfaction.^{[8]
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- Check the seller’s return policies before contacting them. If they don’t accept refunds, try other methods to get your money back, like requesting a chargeback.
A chargeback is when you ask your credit card or debit card company to refund your money. Just contact your card company and let them know the details of the situation. They will send the request to the merchant you bought the watch through, who will work with the seller. If things aren’t resolved through the merchant and seller, the bank decides whether or not the refund goes through.^{[9]
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Leaving a 1-star review that details your interactions with the seller, how you determined the product is fake, and lets others know to stay far away from the seller can keep other potential buyers from getting scammed.^{[10]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Avoid Fake G-Shocks

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Buy from reputable watch sellers. Check the reviews of the seller to see if they have a reputation for selling authentic products. If you spot lots of 5-star reviews with photos and positive recounts of the buying process, the seller is most likely legitimate. But if you notice lots of 1-star reviews, or a suspicious lack of reviews, steer clear and look for reputable sellers.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Federal law enforcement agency responsible for monitoring U.S. borders, facilitating international trade, and upholding customs laws

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- Reputable sellers include Casio, Kay Jewelers, Macy’s, and Reeds Jewelers.
Asking the seller to provide photos of the model and serial numbers on the box, watch, and user’s manual can help you determine whether or not the model is fake before you buy. If the seller drags their feet or refuses to send photos, steer clear, as they may be trying to scam you.
Some resellers may offer prices that vary greatly from retail, but this isn’t always a good sign. YouTube content creator Brad Wells says “If you’re shopping online on sites such as eBay, and [the product] looks to be a price that’s too good to be true, it probably is.”^{[12]
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Expert Source

Brad Wells
YouTube Content Creator

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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I check the serial number on my G-Shock? Check the number listed on the back plate of the watch. The serial number is also located on the packaging that the watch comes in, as well as the user manual included with the packaging.^{[13]
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Research source} To determine whether or not the serial number is accurate, compare the ones on the packaging, back plate, and user manual to see if they match.
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What makes G-Shocks so special? G-Shocks are known for their durability and affordability, making them great starter watches if you’re looking for a well-performing watch that’s in your price range. Their durability makes them great for outdoor and indoor activities. They also come in a wide range of designs with many useful features, all of which contribute to their “special” status.
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How long do G-Shocks last? If you take care of it well enough, a G-Shock can last for decades, but this multiple factors. The batteries tend to last anywhere from 2-6 years, and some models can last for up to 10 years or longer. If the casing is well taken care of, a G-Shock’s frame can last for decades. Some online buyers have even claimed that they have models from the 1980s that are still running strong!
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Why does the military wear G-Shocks? The military wears G-Shock watches because they are durable, affordable, and reliable. There are also specific military-grade models, like the G-Shock DW-6600-1V, the DW-6900-1V, the DW-9052-1V, and the DW-5600E-1V. While they aren’t the only watches worn by the military, G-Shocks are common among members for these reasons.^{[14]
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- G-Shocks also have alarms, silent mode, and solar-powered radio and Bluetooth, providing accurate, useful tools for field operations.
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What is the G-Shock 10 rule? The G-Shock 10 rule is from the original 1983 ‘Triple 10’ philosophy, which G-Shock inventor Kikuo Ibe defines as the need for every G-Shock to be water resistant up to 100 meters (10atm, 328 feet), and survive a 10 meter drop. The 10 rule is a great way to check if your watch is fake, as most G-Shock models actually withstand 200 meters (20atm, 656 feet) of water submersion.^{[15]
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