Casio GWM5610 Review

[gustophersmob]

Howdy!

In May of last year, I got my first digital watch since I was a kid.  As I said then, once I had gotten "into" watches, anything other than an automatic was "garbage."  Then I found a Citizen eco-drive diver that I liked and I have been wearing it for the last 6 years (my only watch until I got the Timex, then I alternated).

Well, on May 31st of this year, exactly one year from the day I bought it, one of the fake hex-bolts on the face broke off.  I had been enjoying the don't care about beating it up freedom the watch provided, as well as the additional timing features the digital provided, so I decided I wanted another one.

Since I wanted something that would last longer than a year, I started looking at g-shocks.  I don't like the hockey-puck look of most of them, and I wanted to keep it cheap, so I was looking primarily at the DW5600e.  I tried it, but wasn't super satisfied.  the display had horrible viewing angles, the contrast was poor, it was out of focus if you looked at it straight on, the recessed adjust button was almost impossible to use (since it it the reset for the stop watch, this was an issue), and the strap was one of those too-tight or too loose fits.

Still, I liked the size and shape.  I like that it is one of the few flight qualified NASA watches (since I work in aerospace).  And it seemed to be of a much better build than the Timex.

Then, I found out on WUS that the GWM models used the same strap as the DW, but the lug-to-lug distance on the case was ~2mm shorter.  Also the displays were newer and clearer and the adjust button was not recessed.  The problem: they are $100.  For a digital watch.  A plastic cased one at that.  Now I know many love their g-shocks, but even after gaining a new appreciation for digital watches, in my mind any plastic cased watch is still disposable.  And $100 is not disposable. 

Well, after some searching, I found one on sale for $80 at a place I happened to have a $50 gift card, so that brought the out of pocket down to $30.  So, justification in place  , I pulled the trigger.

So far, I've been impressed.  The fit is spot on, the functions are great and the display is clear.  I like that it has a worl time mode, and the machined case back looks cool.  I was neutral on the solar and atomic features.  I know Casio has a spotty track record on their rechargeable battery's longevity, so we'll see.  The atomic features, while not necessary, are pretty cool.  If the solar makes the watch last at least 5 years without a battery change, I will reevaluate my opinion of the "disposable" nature of the watch.

So less talk, a few pics.

[nate j]

Good write-up.  I do hope you'll consider updating it periodically, so we can see how the watch fares.

[gustophersmob]

No problem, I plan to 

I accidentally smacked against a metal keyboard tray a week or so ago directly on the face, and it did not do any damage.  So far that is the only stressful thing it has seen.

[sawman]

That's one nice watch 

[Zed]

Very nice and great review  this is on my list of squares to get but the original dw5000 is at the top I've got 3 squares a dw5600c solid metal case and screw back and a dw5600e and a tough solar G5600e so 3 generations of this model,one of my favourites is the dw5600e as is the one i wear the most and gets the most abuse,never tried the atomic so one ill try in the future  look forward to updates 

[gustophersmob]

That's one nice watch 

Thanks! Hopefully it lives up to its cost of entry!

[gustophersmob]

Very nice and great review  this is on my list of squares to get but the original dw5000 is at the top I've got 3 squares a dw5600c solid metal case and screw back and a dw5600e and a tough solar G5600e so 3 generations of this model,one of my favourites is the dw5600e as is the one i wear the most and gets the most abuse,never tried the atomic so one ill try in the future  look forward to updates 

Thanks! Nice collection of squares! I'm glad you get along with the 5600e, I just couldn't get past the small things. I really like those older screwback squares, they overcome that disposable feeling. Well, except that casio stopped maiking resin :/ Thought, its true I like the lighter weight of the resin ones.

[gustophersmob]

Just wanted to update after a few months of daily wear. I am still quite pleased with this watch. I have worn it everyday since getting it in June and it shows very minimal signs of wear. I'm not exactly hard on it, but I don't baby it either. I really like the size shape and features, and I like that it just works. Heck, with the atomic feature, I don't eveven have to bother setting it

The only issue is that it really makes me want a less "disposable" version, the gw-5000. But ~$350 for a g-shock is something I just can't bring myself to do. Yet.

Plastic watch or not, the features, price, size, ruggedness and no-nonsense ease of use makes me continue to HIGHLY recommend it.

I will post some updated pics later today or tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

[Grathr]

I have the exact same watch, and have been wearing it every day for a year now, and I am very happy with it. 
For the last 5 years or so I have been wearing several different cheap watches. After trying and destroying several of them, (the tailgate on my hilux is a real watch killer) I finaly decided to spend a little extra and get a G-shock.
After a year of use, it still looks almost like new. The tailgate on the Hilux has tried its best to kill it,  but with no success.
Also I love that it syncronices it self with the atomic clock in Britain or Germany every night. I used to have to syncronise my watch once a week before to keep it accurate.

[gustophersmob]

I have the exact same watch, and have been wearing it every day for a year now, and I am very happy with it. 
For the last 5 years or so I have been wearing several different cheap watches. After trying and destroying several of them, (the tailgate on my hilux is a real watch killer) I finaly decided to spend a little extra and get a G-shock.
After a year of use, it still looks almost like new. The tailgate on the Hilux has tried its best to kill it,  but with no success.
Also I love that it syncronices it self with the atomic clock in Britain or Germany every night. I used to have to syncronise my watch once a week before to keep it accurate.

Somehow I missed your response, sorry about that!

Its good to hear its holding up, though based on my few months experience and what I've read, I shouldn't be surprised. 

I've never actually killed a watch, I came to the G more for the features.  Though, I did break one of the fake hex bolts off the TImex, that was more of an excuse for a new watch

I have found over the last year or so that I prefer the functions on a digital, and I like its low key wear-ability.  As a bonus, it will probably end up being cheaper than buying new straps for my citizen diver every year.