I once wrote about the G-SHOCK (GAS-100B) I used for eight years.
In the end, the best thing about a G-SHOCK is that “water stays out.”
I meant it. I still do.
But there is actually one thing I didn't write in that article.
Today I'm going to confess.
It fogged up once.
Okinawa, snorkeling, a midsummer nap
A few summers ago. Okinawa.
As usual, I was snorkeling with the G-SHOCK still on.
Clear sea. Coral. Fish. Perfect.
Coming out of the water, a satisfied KAZUKIN just fell asleep in the midsummer sun.
What happens when you suddenly heat a well-chilled watch in direct sunlight?
The KAZUKIN of that time wasn't thinking about anything.
When I woke up and looked at the watch,
the inside of the glass was fogged.
You can't wipe the inside
It was condensation, as they say.
If the outside of the glass fogs, you wipe it and you're done.
But you can't wipe the inside.
If the inside fogs, it means there is moisture in there.
Afterward, the fog disappeared on its own.
It looked as good as new. It worked normally.
“Well, it's gone, so it's fine”
is not what I thought.
Some moisture, however slight, definitely got in.
I wrote “eight years undefeated,” but to be exact, I had one scare.
What KAZUKIN did... retighten the screws!
Send it for repair?
Ask the manufacturer for an inspection?
No.
What KAZUKIN did was
retighten the screws.
Retightening means firmly tightening screws that are already tight once more, so there is no looseness.
The four screws on the case back, one at a time, firmly.
If there is an entrance for moisture, this is the only place.
So tighten. That's all.
By the way, KAZUKIN has a record of stripping a NIXON screw.
So this time I tightened them more carefully than ever.
Cost of the countermeasure: ¥0.
The next year, revenge in the sea
And the following summer.
With the retightened G-SHOCK on my wrist, I went into the sea again.
Honestly, I was a little nervous.
If it fogged again, it was going in for repair for sure.
Result.
No problem this time!
No fog. No water intrusion. It worked normally.
Revived, safely.
Honestly, I don't know whether the cause was really loose screws.
But after eight years, even people loosen up. It wouldn't be strange for screws to loosen too.
Even precision instruments come back properly if you tighten what needs tightening.
Would KAZUKIN's life come back if I retightened something somewhere?
That is a separate research topic.
シュノーケリングいいよね
KAZUKIN Rating
- 😱 Shock at discovering inside condensation — ★★★★★
- 🔧 Own-style response of retightening — ★★★★☆
- ☀️ Understanding the danger of sleeping in direct sun — ★☆☆☆☆ (clueless back then)
- 🏝️ Recovery in the sea the next year — ★★★★★
- 🤐 Honesty of the “8 years undefeated” claim — ★★★☆☆ (actually had one scare)
This article is a personal opinion and record. KAZUKIN LAB has no relationship with Casio Computer Co., Ltd. I'm just a G-SHOCK fan. Adjustments such as retightening screws are done at my own risk. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
The illustration is an image based on KAZUKIN's experience. It may differ from real stores and products. It is not an official manufacturer image.