Timex Has Its Own 'G-Shock' You Didn't Know About: Meet the Command Encounter & Command Square

Image Credits- Timex

When you think of indestructible digital watches, Casio's G-Shock dominates the conversation so completely that most people don't realize Timex built its own rugged alternative—and it's been hiding in plain sight. Enter the Timex Command series, specifically the Command Encounter and Command Square, Timex's bold attempt to capture the tough-watch market.

The Command Encounter: Timex's Hybrid Strike

Image Credits- Timex

The Command Encounter is where Timex gets really interesting. This watch blends analog hands with a digital display—giving you the best of both worlds. At 45mm with a chunky resin case and strap, it wears with the same wrist presence as a classic DW-5600, but with a distinctly Timex flavor.

What sets it apart? The Encounter packs a negative display digital dial tucked beneath analog hands, offering chronograph, timer, world time for 31 cities, and multiple alarms—all while maintaining that old-school analog look.

Water resistance hits 100 meters, which covers swimming and daily abuse, though it stops short of the 200m standard most G-Shocks claim.

Watch enthusiasts have noted the Encounter draws heavy inspiration from not one, but two different G-Shock models—a design choice that's sparked plenty of debate about whether Timex is copying Casio or simply competing in a category Casio defined.

The Command Square: Analog Attitude

Image Credits- Timex

The Command Square (like the green-dial reference you shared) takes a different approach. This is a pure analog quartz watch with a bold 45mm square case—directly channeling the iconic G-Shock "Square" silhouette but in analog form. With its colored dial options and chunky case, it's designed for the same audience that wants a tough, statement-making beater without going full digital.

How It Stacks Up

Here's the reality: Timex's Command line isn't trying to out-spec G-Shock—it's trying to out-style it at a lower price. Where a basic G-Shock starts around $70-$100, Timex positions the Command series similarly but often discounts deeper. The trade-offs? You're getting mineral glass instead of G-Shock's more impact-resistant crystals, 100m water resistance instead of 200m, and Timex's proprietary shock resistance rather than Casio's ISO-certified system.

But Timex brings something Casio doesn't: Indiglo backlighting (which lights up the whole dial brilliantly at night), often more comfortable resin straps, and that classic American watch brand heritage. The Command Encounter's hybrid display also offers a versatility that pure digitals can't match—it's a watch that looks at home in casual settings where a full G-Shock might feel too tactical.

The Verdict

Is the Timex Command a true G-Shock killer? Not quite. Casio's shock-resistance engineering and 200m water resistance still set the benchmark for pure toughness. But for the watch lover who wants 90% of G-Shock durability with a fresh design language and a friendlier price tag, the Command Encounter and Command Square are genuinely compelling alternatives that most of the watch world has slept on.

Timex didn't just build a G-Shock copy—they built their own interpretation of what a rugged everyday watch should be. And in a market dominated by one name, that's worth noticing.