Lifestyle

Casio and Pokémon Drop a G-Shock Watch for the 30th Anniversary

Casio and Pokémon Drop a G-Shock Watch for the 30th Anniversary

On This Page

A Complete Deep Dive into the Limited-Edition GA-110PKM-7A Collaboration

2026 marks an unbelievable milestone for pop culture: it has officially been three decades since a pair of humble pocket monster RPGs launched on the Nintendo Game Boy in Japan, sparking an international phenomenon that completely rewrote the entertainment industry. To celebrate Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary, The Pokémon Company has teamed up with Casio to drop a limited-edition collaboration watch that is already sending shockwaves through both the watch-collecting and gaming communities.

Enter the Casio G-Shock GA-110PKM-7A.

Also ReadAre AI Data Centers Raising Your Power Bill? What the Numbers Actually ShowTechnologyAre AI Data Centers Raising Your Power Bill? What the Numbers Actually Show

For years, collectors have watched various watch brands slap a famous cartoon character onto a standard dial, call it a day, and charge a premium. But Casio hasn’t treated this milestone like a quick sticker job. Packed with brilliant, subtle details, historical nods, and a clever piece-by-piece unboxing experience, this timepiece is a beautifully executed love letter to the original 90s generation of trainers.

Whether you are a seasoned horologist or someone who still remembers the exact day they chose Charmander, here is everything you need to know about the most anticipated pop-culture watch drop of 2026.

Moving On From Baby-G: A Proper Full-Sized G-Shock

If you follow Casio’s history with the Pokémon franchise, you will know this isn’t their first rodeo. The two brands collaborated in 2019 (with the BGD-560PKC-1) and again in 2021 (with the BA-110PKC-4A). However, both of those previous releases were built on Casio’s more compact Baby-G chassis.

Also ReadRAM Prices in 2026: Should You Build a PC Now or Wait?TechnologyRAM Prices in 2026: Should You Build a PC Now or Wait?

The 30th Anniversary model completely changes the game by elevating the partnership to the core, full-sized G-Shock family for the very first time. Casio selected the legendary GA-110 silhouette as the canvas for this collaboration. Known for its distinct, chunkier presence, oversized pushers, and layered dial that mixes traditional analog hands with dual digital LCD windows, the GA-110 provides the perfect amount of surface area to weave a complex narrative.

A Proper Full-Sized G-Shock

The G-Shock GA-110PKM-7A features iconic 1996 video game accents.. Source: G-Central

Nostalgia on the Wrist: The Design Elements

The visual layout of the GA-110PKM-7A leans heavily into pure retro nostalgia. Rather than pulling inspiration from modern animated series or mobile apps, the palette is stripped right back to the pixels that started it all.

The Original 1996 Palette

The watch is built around a striking frosted, translucent clear resin bezel and band, contrasted against a crisp white center case. What catches your eye from across a room, however, is the bold red, blue, and green colorway used across the hands, buttons, and inner dial accents.

This isn’t a random choice. Red, Blue, and Green are the exact primary colors of the debut 1996 Game Boy titles (Pokémon Red, Pokémon Green, and the subsequent Pokémon Blue). By leaning into these three core colors, the watch immediately establishes itself as a vintage throwback rather than a modern commercial tie-in.

Hidden Easter Eggs

Look closer at the dial configuration, and the fan service becomes even more apparent:

  • The Poké Ball Subdial:The inset dial located at the 9 o’clock position is meticulously painted to mimic the iconic red-and-white layout of a standard Poké Ball.
  • Pikachu’s Tail Indicator:Operating within that Poké Ball subdial is an amber indicator hand uniquely shaped like the lightning-bolt silhouette of Pikachu’s tail, visible from behind.
  • The Case Back:Flip the timepiece over, and the brushed stainless steel case back features a crisp, custom engraving of the official Pokémon 30th Anniversary logo, keeping the true nature of the watch private when worn, but instantly recognizable to the owner.

The Strap Timeline: 30 Pokémon for 30 Years

The absolute centerpiece of this collaboration is the custom resin band. Casio used the clear material to display subtle line-art silhouettes of precisely 30 different Pokémon, turning the strap into a wearable timeline of the franchise’s history.

Instead of oversaturating the design with random fan favorites, the design team followed a strict, brilliant structural logic. The strap features the three starter (first partner) Pokémon from all nine mainline generations of games.

The Lineup Breakdown
From the Kanto region’s classic trio (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle) all the way up to the Paldea region’s modern favorites (Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly), all 27 core starters are represented. Add the franchise’s twin pillars, Pikachu and Eevee, and you reach 29 Pokémon featured across the main body of the band.

So, who is the final inclusion to hit the big 30 milestone? Tucked away entirely on the translucent band keeper (the loop that holds the excess strap in place) is Mew, the elusive, Mythical 151st Pokémon. Placing Mew on the keeper is a massive nod to 90s playground lore, referencing how the character was famously hidden away deep within the original game’s coding.

The Unboxing Experience: A True Collector’s Display

For high-profile collaborations like this, the packaging matters almost as much as the watch itself. Casio has completely abandoned its standard cardboard boxes and hexagonal metal tins for something far more theatrical.

The watch ships inside a beautifully printed outer box featuring individual illustrations of all 30 Pokémon highlighted on the strap. Opening that box reveals a highly detailed, heavy-duty display case shaped like an actual Poké Ball. The ball splits open on a premium hinge mechanism to reveal the GA-110PKM-7A resting securely on a bed of custom-molded protective foam lined with illustrated graphics. It is a stunning display setup that collectors will likely keep intact on their shelves long after taking the watch out.

Indestructible Heritage: It is Still a G-Shock

It is easy to get distracted by the franchise artwork, but under the hood, this model maintains the legendary, uncompromising build quality that G-Shock built its reputation on. This isn’t a fragile fashion watch; it is an absolute tank designed to survive everything from an urban commute to rugged outdoor adventures.

The watch features structural shock resistance and specialized magnetic resistance to protect the internal analog-digital module from modern electronic interference. With a water resistance rating of 20 bar (200 meters), it is completely safe for swimming, snorkeling, and heavy marine activity.

Attribute Specification Details
Model Reference GA-110PKM-7A
Case Dimensions 55.0 mm × 51.2 mm × 16.9 mm
Total Weight 72 grams
Water Resistance 200 Metres (20 Bar)
Battery Life Approx. 2 Years (CR1220 Lithium)
Accuracy ±15 seconds per month
Illumination Amber LED Backlight with Auto-Light Switch

 

In terms of utility, the module is incredibly robust. It includes a highly accurate 1/1000-second stopwatch equipped with an integrated speed indicator, a 24-hour countdown timer, a fully automatic calendar programmed up to the year 2099, and 5 daily alarms (including a crucial snooze feature). It also features World Time functionality spanning 29 time zones and 48 major global cities, making it an excellent companion for international travelers.

Release Logistics, Price, and Availability

As with any highly coveted anniversary piece, securing a GA-110PKM-7A at its base retail price is going to require a bit of strategy.

Pricing

The watch has been officially priced at $270 in the United States and ¥33,000 in Japan (which translates roughly to around £215 depending on exchange rates). While it carries a premium compared to a standard, non-collaborative GA-110, the extensive custom tooling, licensing, and high-end Poké Ball packaging make the retail price exceptionally reasonable for a piece of this scale.

How to Buy

Official pre-orders are scheduled to launch directly on Casio’s website on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

However, because demand is expected to vastly outstrip the limited manufacturing run, Casio Japan is executing a strict purchase lottery system. Applications for the Japanese lottery open from July 1st through July 6th, with winners gaining the right to purchase the watch ahead of the official release on July 17, 2026. A broader international rollout across select boutique jewelers and official flagship locations (such as the G-Shock Soho Store) will occur concurrently throughout July.

If you have your heart set on adding this piece to your collection, you will need to act the exact moment the digital windows open. History shows that milestone G-Shock anniversaries vanish from official channels within a matter of minutes, after which resale values on the secondary market scale up rapidly. Set your reminders, prep your accounts, and treat July 1st like a competitive tournament if you want to catch this one at retail.

Sources & References

The data, specifications, and logistics detailed in this article were compiled from the following reference materials:

  • Casio Official Website (2026) –GA-110PKM-7A Product Specification and Global Release Announcement
  • G-Central G-Shock Fan Site (2026) –Pokémon to release G-Shock GA-110PKM-7A for 30th Celebration
  • Notebookcheck (2026) –Casio’s new Pokémon G-Shock comes in a Poké Ball, but good luck getting your hands on one
  • The Gadgeteer (2026) –Pokémon G-Shock GA-110PKM-7A: Price, Specs, and Release Date

Disclaimer

Important Notice Regarding Availability & Pricing
This article is intended strictly for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. Release dates, regional distribution paths, lottery systems, and recommended retail pricing are determined solely by Casio and The Pokémon Company and are subject to change without prior notice. Due to the limited nature of collaborative horological releases and high global demand, availability at base retail cost cannot be guaranteed. The author is not affiliated with Casio, Nintendo, or The Pokémon Company, and this coverage does not constitute financial or investment advice regarding collectable watch markets.

 

Topics:
  • Reviewed by editorial staff before publication.
  • Fact-checking and source verification applied.
  • Updated regularly for accuracy and clarity.
  • Aligned with newsroom ethics and publishing standards.

About The Author

Senior Editor

Jordan Drew is Senior Editor at New York Editor, where he covers business, media, technology, markets, world, economy, startups, and innovation. With more than a decade of experience in digital…