Among watches equally valued by enthusiasts and seasoned collectors, Casio G-Shock holds a special place.
Whether you choose the CasiOak, the 6900 model, or the GA-110, these watches are a rare phenomenon that transcended the boundaries of a niche circle of connoisseurs and became a significant part of pop culture since their release in 1983. I do not hide my attachment to them: my G-Shock watches were among the most worn watches in 2024 and 2025, and they are not planning to yield positions in 2026. My choice has always been the square models, starting with the popular DW-5600 - one of which I lost, and another went to Egypt with my mother after her visit to Australia.
A Year Without G-Shock: Attempts to Replace and Realizing Their Value
In the year without G-Shock in my collection, I tried to replace them with many other models, constantly postponing the purchase. I extended the use of my SKX, planning to use them not only for swimming and diving (but they were too heavy), and also wore the ultra-light HZ.01 with a titanium case and a more shock-resistant quartz movement on a strap. However, the lack of a timer function made them inconvenient for gym workouts. The true value of G-Shock is only realized when they disappear, and the first day with the new GW-M5610 was a painful reminder of this.
Quality and Reliability: Like the First Day, or Even Better
The formula of square G-Shock has hardly changed over their 40-year existence: a durable resin case housing a reliable module with outstanding shock resistance and water resistance. Casio's most famous marketing move was using a hockey player who hit the watch instead of a puck - despite the heavy blows, the goalkeeper's watch continued to work without failures.
However, the subtitle I chose carries a double meaning. Even though all square G-Shocks share common roots with the original 5000C, they have only improved over the years. Modern models come equipped with features like Bluetooth, pedometers, solar charging, radio-controlled time, and efficient lighting. The latest innovation is memory-in-pixel (MIP) displays, significantly improving contrast and viewing angles.
My G-Shock Model: Choice and Features
The only drawback of the DW-5600 for me was the need for periodic battery replacement. The solution was the GW-M5610 with solar charging. Quick technical specifications: diameter - 43.2 mm, lug-to-lug distance - 46.7 mm, thickness - 12.7 mm, weight - 52 grams, water resistance - 200 meters. Despite intensive use (including a fall from the second floor), the watch looks almost like new.
After two years of use, scratches and signs of wear only add character to them, but they are actually less noticeable than I expected. The mineral glass remains unchanged, and despite the appearance of new MIP displays, I have no desire to change models.
Functionality and Ease of Use
The screen of my GW-M5610 usually shows a simple 24-hour time format with a calendar at the top. If you look closely, you can see the Tough Solar elements around the dial, providing up to 10 months of operation on a single charge and up to 22 months in power-saving mode.
Besides the cool backlight activated by a sharp wrist turn, I regularly use only two modes: world time and stopwatch. In world time, you can save five frequently used time zones, which is convenient for travel, and the stopwatch serves for daily interval training.
Module 3495 Supports Far More Functions Than I Use, But Here Are The Main Ones Briefly:
- World time with a choice of 48 cities in 31 time zones, including daylight saving time adjustment;
- Stopwatch accurate to 1/100 second, measuring total and split time;
- Perpetual calendar displaying the day of the week in six languages;
- Battery level indicator warning if the watch hasn't been charged for a long time.
Particularly noteworthy is the radio-controlled time calibration - the watch automatically checks the time against the standard up to six times a day, or manually on demand. However, in Australia, the radio signal is not broadcast, so owners have to make do with the function without real reception - a kind of "shouting into the void" among thousands of such Casios.
Practically the Only Watch You'll Ever Need
It's probably unnecessary to explain why G-Shock should be in your collection - though I wouldn't say the same for most other watches. Despite the gradual price increase, they remain an affordable and versatile choice, with the only risk being the desire to own several models at once. I wore these watches everywhere: they were buried in snow, submerged in water (not by accident), and even stayed too close to fire and the grill. By the way, the photos in the title and above were taken at the bottom of a lake - more precisely, my aquarium, but the point is clear.
Are there any downsides? Of course. They don't fit in my fabric travel roll. The solution? I just put them in the bottom compartment of my backpack next to the travel dust and charging cables. They're not the most elegant and will look out of place at a wedding or business meeting... But for that, you have other, more fragile and dressy watches. Stay tuned - this is G-Shock.