Stylish Rainbow Casio G-Shock GM5600SN-1

The ongoing mastery of metal electroplating has inspired Casio to continue producing cool, colorful watches like this particular version of the G-Shock GM-5600 in a metal case, known as the GM5600SN-1. Many of Casio's ion-plated (rainbow IP) watches are more expensive and often very limited in production. At a price just over $250 USD, these GM5600SN-1 watches are among the lowest priced I've seen for some of these beautiful wrist rainbows that our colleagues in Japan have been happily creating over the past few years.

This color scheme on the 43.2mm wide steel case GM5600 (12.9mm thick) starts with an aquamarine blue that darkens and then lightens, turning first into red and then into golden yellow. It's a good range of colors possible with electroplating, but the even gradient is very nicely done and is said by Casio to be inspired by the view of nighttime Tokyo, where bright lights blend with the deep blues and blacks of the night.

Casio pairs the rainbow metal IP case with a soft red LCD screen display and places the watch on a traditional black polyurethane G-Shock strap. The case is water-resistant up to 200 meters with mineral glass over the screen. The traditional G-Shock mechanism runs on a battery with a two-year lifespan and a classic list of features that all the brand's retro watch collections have. Ultimately, I wish more and more watches with such stylish designs also included Casio's quartz modules with solar charging and Bluetooth connectivity.

As a watch for everyday wear, a beater watch, or just something fun and unpretentious, the DM5600 in resin, and now the GM5600 in metal, is a great choice. Considering this, the GM5600SN-1 is slightly more expensive than standard Casio watches due to its metal case with colored treatment. Nevertheless, it's a great price for a watch whose practicality won't keep you waiting, and its wrist-catching ability will last for years to come.

The rectangular design replicates the design of the original G-Shock watches from the mid-1980s, an angular look that remains very popular alongside some models with a more round case, for which G-Shock is also known. If you don't already have rainbow IP watches from Casio, I recommend you take a closer look at them soon.

This GM5600SN-1 model is an excellent choice due to its very practical positioning. The price is $260 USD. Learn more on the Casio G-Shock website.