This Cool, Futuristic G-Shock Honors a Space Age Icon

See if you can guess the “theme,” wink wink.

Published January 6, 2025

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Two of my favorite things are watches and mid-century modern design, two areas of interest that don’t have a ton of crossover.

So, on those rare occasions when mid-mod design creeps into the world of watches, I get irrationally excited. Right now is one of those times.

G-Shock and Los Angeles-based clothing brand C2H4 have teamed up to create a Space Age-themed watch that not only oozes retro-futuristic vibes but also pays tribute to a genuine icon of 1960s Googie architecture.

an ad showing a g shock watch on a persons wrist with a space age tv in the background — C2H4’s retro-futuristic G-Shock collab aims to transport you back to the Space Age of the 1960s.

Days of Future Past

If you’ve ever been to the Los Angeles International Airport, better known as LAX, then you’re almost certainly familiar with the Theme Building.

Opened in 1961, the dramatic structure resembles a landed UFO and has served various functions over the years, including as a restaurant from 1997 until 2013. Currently, the building houses the Bob Hope USO and a division of LAX guest services, but its main purpose is as an architectural landmark and global symbol for both the city of LA and Space Age design.

the caseback of a g shock watch depicting an image of the theme building at lax — An image of the Theme Building appears on the caseback of the G-Shock x C2H4 GM-5600 “Space Age.”

The iconic building served as the inspiration for the G-Shock x C2H4 GM-5600 “Space Age” watch, which as the caseback declares, is designed to be part of a “future city uniform.” The watch features a depiction of the Theme Building on its caseback, along with a second hidden image of the structure on the dial that’s only visible when activating the red backlight.

The rest of the watch features a custom design that isn’t necessarily Theme Building-derived but plays into the landmark’s overall spirit of optimistic futurism. The strap is semi-transparent and is equipped with quick-release spring bars, the dial features a grid pattern along with C2H4 branding and the forged metal octagonal bezel features vertical brushing, which gives the watch a premium look.

Perhaps best of all is the wild box included with the watch. It’s oval-shaped and made of red and mint green plastic. Dubbed a “time capsule,” it splits in half horizontally to reveal the watch within. What’s more, it features yet another depiction of the Theme Building on its bottom, plus G-Shock and C2H4 branding on its sides in a retro font.

It looks like a relic from the 1960s, and I would 100 percent display it in my living room, which is not something I’ve ever said about a watch box.

two space age g shock watch cases on a pile of g shock watch boxes — The box resembles certain appliances from the mid-twentieth century.

Pricing and Availability

This watch is just cool. The Theme Building, uh, theme is definitely a little niche, but I think the watch is good-looking enough that even people who aren’t Googie architecture nerds or (former) LA residents like me will still want one. Space Age design continues to be popular, and this watch does a great job of paying homage to the era of the 1950s and ’60s without going over the top.

C2H4 will exclusively sell the watch through its website, where it will go on sale, drop-style, on January 9 at 12 pm EST/9 am PST. No price has been announced by the brand yet, but C2H4 currently has a separate Casio collab for sale that may offer some clues.

Its AQ-800E “Dreamer’s Set” is priced at $115, which is more than a 100 percent increase over the standard version’s $56 SRP — though it does include some extras in a spinning top and AirPods pouch.

Casio’s standard G-Shock GM-5600 is part of the brand’s full-metal line and usually goes for around $200, so it’s possible the C2H4 version could have a price tag between $300 and $400. We’ll find out for sure when the G-Shock x C2H4 GM-5600 “Space Age” goes for sale this Thursday.

An image of the C2H4 and G-SHOCK futuristic collaboration featuring a GM-5600 wristwatch

G-Shock x C2H4 GM-5600 “Space Age”

G-Shock and LA-based clothing brand C2H4 have created a special version of the full-metal GM-5600 inspired by Space Age design and LAX’s Theme Building. The Googie landmark appears on the caseback as well as on the dial when activating the red illuminator.