G-Shock Mudman 9300: Mud? Please.

Meet the Casio Mudman GW‑9300: the digital wrist beast that laughs in the face of dirt, grime, and whatever else the universe decides to fling your way. Rolled out in June 2011 as part of the G‑Shock family’s “mud‑proof” elite, the GW‑9300 was designed for hands that get dirty and adventurers who think cleaning their watch is optional. With its shockproof, mud‑resistant body, twin sensors (thermometer and digital compass), and solar + atomic timekeeping magic, this thing keeps ticking long after lesser watches have thrown in the towel. It’s the ideal sidekick for outdoor warriors, field techs, and anyone who believes watches should be as rugged as their weekend plans.

Review

I’ve always been drawn to the idea of a rugged outdoor watch, even though my own lifestyle isn’t exactly “outdoorsy.” Things get a little comical when you realize I’m on the skinny side, with a wrist measuring just 6.5 inches. Most people would expect a G-Shock to look ridiculously oversized on me—and maybe even suggest I steer clear. But here’s the surprise: G-Shocks are remarkably versatile. Even on smaller wrists, they can look sharp and never feel downright comical.

The Mudman, in particular, fits and feels great. The strap isn’t padded, yet it somehow projects presence—a vibe I really enjoy. Early “Master of G” models only have single holes in the strap, whereas later versions added double holes. It’s mostly cosmetic, but it does make them feel a touch more robust. My only minor gripe? The clasp is a bit too large for my liking.

A lot of people see the rugged case of a Mudman and assume all the grooves and crevices are just for show. In reality, they’re functional: they make cleaning easier. Mud, sand, and grit can flow out easily under water, rather than getting trapped inside the bezel.

The Mudman’s core strength is, of course, its mud resistance. Its inner module is protected by caskets that wrap around the buttons. On this particular “Master of G” model, the buttons are a bit stiff—probably a side effect of the mud-proof design. Other mud-resistant models, like the MudMaster GWG-B1000, solve this without issue. Still, I appreciate the tactile feel and the textured nibs under my fingertips—they feel satisfying to press.

Other handy features include:

• Date
• Time (12-hour and 24-hour formats)
• 5 Alarms
• World Time (48 cities)
• Moon Graph
• Stopwatch
• Countdown timer
• Auto-backlight
• Atomic timekeeping (Multi Band 6)
• Solar powered (Tough Solar)

This watch also comes with “twin sensors”:

• Compass
• Thermometer

[!WARNING] The thermometer isn’t super accurate because it’s affected by body heat. You’ll need to take the watch off for 10–15 minutes to get a true ambient reading.

Two standout features, beyond mud resistance, are Multi Band 6 and Tough Solar. Multi Band 6 allows the watch to synchronize time and date via radio signal (atomic timekeeping), so you never have to worry about it drifting. Tough Solar means you don’t have to fret about battery changes. These watches can run for decades—some reports claim nearly 20 years without needing a battery swap.

I personally enjoy the moon graph, which I use regularly. Living near the sea, I’m also interested in tide information—but sadly, this Mudman doesn’t include tides (unlike the Frogman or GW-7900). On the bright side, like every G-Shock, it’s rated for 200m water resistance. Showers, swimming, even diving? No problem.

[!NOTE] Only the Frogman carries an official ISO 6425 diving certification.

I also love the small sub-dial that changes depending on the mode. In stopwatch mode, it counts minutes; in countdown mode, it shows the remaining time visually. It’s a clever feature, though less intuitive than its cousin, the Rangeman GW-9400-1.

One of the smartest moves Casio ever made is keeping a consistent interface across G-Shocks. Pick up almost any model, and you immediately know how to set it up—genius.

Despite its chunky looks, the Mudman doesn’t feel heavy at all. It’s light and easy to forget you’re wearing it, which is exactly how a good rugged watch should feel.

Gallery

Verdict

The GW-9300 is an impressive watch, often hailed as the true “Master of G” series model. Sure, technology has moved on since its debut in 2011, but it still holds its own in many a collection. This model is no longer in production, so if you stumble across one—and your wallet is feeling generous—I’d say snag it while you can.

Otherwise, you might want to consider the Rangeman GW-9400-1. It packs more features, sports a similar case design (though maybe not quite as charming), and has earned a reputation for being almost too good—borderline perfection, really. But that’s a story for another post.