The lume dial trend continues its slow march forward with a trio of new watches from G-Shock called Hidden Glow, which sets white glowing dials into three iconic G-Shock shapes. Lume dials are having something of a moment, with prominent releases from the likes of Citizen, IWC, Bell & Ross, TAG Heuer, and even F.P. Journe and Bulgari, making a huge impact on a small segment of enthusiasts. It’s a surprising move from some brands, but it feels right at home in the context of a G-Shock, and these new releases embrace the look fully thanks to their monochromatic execution.
All three of these new Hidden Glow watches get matte gray resin case and strap configurations that serve to complement the high contrast white lume dials. It’s an overall low key look that plays well with the ana-digi and full digital looks presented here, plus, you know, they glow in the dark. The gray cases, which use bio resin in the bezel and band, are light and near smokey in appearance, providing a slight warmth to the egg-shell/off-white of the lume dials. The gray continues onto the dial within the hands and hour markers, completing the high contrast look.
The Hidden Glow collection begins with the robust GA700HD-8A with an ana-digi dial that enjoys a unique display window at the top right that changes functionality between modes. A large button under the dial will provide further illumination. This is the largest of the releases at 57.5 × 53.4 × 18.5 mm – but the shape of the case and integrated strap make it about as wearable as it could possibly be at that size. Still, not for the faint of heart.
Next is the GA2100HD-8A, which uses the popular octagonal case that was released in 2019. This watch also presents an ana-digi dial with a status screen at the bottom right. At under 12mm in thickness this is the most wearable of the bunch, and the lightweight molded case makes for a simple daily companion at that. The muted color scheme here makes it a viable option for just such use.
Finally, the classic DW6900HD-8 which gets the fully digital dial, and adheres to the qualities that we generally know and love about G-Shock. This one presents a bit more old school and it takes to the gray and off-white color scheme with ease, particularly with the slightly yellow rehaut framing the inner dial.
Overall this set of watches represents the lume dial trend in a unique way, without compromise to the G-Shock DNA. We generally associate some wild colorways with watches like this, but they remain equally compelling when approached from another angle as well. G-Shock watches are meant to be fun, approachable, and expressive, and the Hidden Glow collection goes about that in a unique manner.
The lume dial trend isn’t something that I expect to see applied broadly, but rather approached carefully by brands. When done right, the practice can have a notable impact, and even elevate a design, such as the case with the unique Citizen Aqualand dive watch, where it forges a new identity for the watch altogether. In the case of the G-Shocks we see here, the practice feels like a new spin or interpretation of something classic in a way that feels natural and almost expected.
All three of these watches make a compelling case, but for my money, the old-school DW6900HD-8 feels the most compelling, representing the G-Shock that I connected with as a child in the ‘ 80s. Each of the new watches are priced at a wallet friendly $110, and are available beginning this month directly from G-Shock.