"Casio G-Shock has released smart watches but, like other watch companies, are just covering all bases, " says Mr Flood.

BBC: Do we need watches to tell us more than the time?

The G-Shock GB6900 Bluetooth watch and the ThinkPad Tablet 2 with Windows 8 both represent relatively low-risk plays for the venerable brands.

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Interestingly enough, though, the Japanese firm wasn't exactly showcasing its novel G-Shock GB5600A -- instead, we found it hiding comfortably underneath a representative's long-sleeve shirt.

ENGADGET: Casio's G-Shock GB5600A pairs nicely with iPhones, takes us down memory lane (hands-on)

But like previous releases, Casio's G-Shock GB6900AA series seems to lack a big marketing push, despite its CEO's assertion that it remains a "leader in cutting-edge technology for timepieces".

BBC: Do we need watches to tell us more than the time?

Now, the G-Shock is a perfectly fine watch, but it is to put it mildly a bit of an oddity in an otherwise so masterfully assembled ensemble.

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G-SHOCK brand remains extremely popular among consumers and adventure enthusiasts around the globe thanks to its distinctive, unique design, rugged toughness and practicality, even under severe environmental conditions.

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Casio has unveiled a new G-Shock wristwatch that has built-in Bluetooth that can talk to an iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S (which must be running iSO 5.1.1 or higher).

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For starters, the novel G-Shock boasts Bluetooth 4.0, allowing it to pair nicely alongside iOS devices and display plenty of notifications on its itty-bitty screen -- including phone calls, text messages and emails.

ENGADGET: Casio's G-Shock GB5600A pairs nicely with iPhones, takes us down memory lane (hands-on)

Rugged on the inside, the Hitachi Travelstar Z5K320 drive gives the G-DRIVE slim superior operating shock protection and quiet acoustics for use in the home, in the office or on the road.

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Financial-sector reform was essential, but the G-20 went too far: In seeking perfection, policy makers have delivered a profoundly pro-cyclical shock, resulting in a deflationary credit squeeze.

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