Reviewof the venerable "basic" square G, the DW-5600E.
This article may contain affiliate links which means if you choose to purchase a product using the link I may get a small commission. This is at no extra cost to yourself and enables me to keep writing reviews of watches and products I genuinely think you will enjoy or find is a beater watch and why you probably need oneSo what is a beater watch? For most people, it's that watch that we throw on when we know things are going to get rough. That could be going to the gym, or it could be doing DIY projects around the house or garden or anything in between. There may be some situations where you currently just take a watch off to avoid any damage but still could really do with the convenience of a watch in that situation. This is where a good beater watch comes into its own and is ready to stand up to the bangs and knocks it will undoubtedly go until just over two years ago, I fell into the category of people who would just take their watch off to do specific tasks, and I was wearing an Omega Speedmaster Pro for my timing at the gym. After a few bumps and scrapes, I started to look at the fact that I didn't own a watch that was suitable in some of those more demanding situations or at least I wouldn't want to wear the tough but expensive pieces doing some final straw was waking up to the sound of my two-year-old son running out the Bedroom jingling my Rolex Submariner in his hand and heading towards the top of the stairs. Visions of shattered sapphire and case damage flooded my head as I leapt out of bed! Enough was enough, and it was time to add some watches that were tough, practical and also he could run around with and show an interest in. In short, for most people, a beater watch is something they genuinely need from time to time. And fully expect to take some harsh punishment on the the G-Shock DW-5600A short time after that incident I began my search for something at a sensible price with little to no maintenance required and that would be able to stand up to anything that was asked of it, be it garden work, gym work or my son using it as his favourite hammer around the house. I'd always fancied a G-Shock but in fairness, most looked a bit too large and cumbersome on my wrist and had more features than I would ever need so I had never followed through with a purchase. For me, the basics were what I needed, and after looking at the various plethora of models, I decided on the G-Shock DW-5600 is the âOriginalâ G-Shock with a design that had changed very little if at all since its first inception back in 1983 when the young Casio engineer Kikuo Ibe came up with the idea for an indestructible watch. Spend 30 seconds searching YouTube, and you will find hundreds of videos of people creatively doing their best to test Mr Ibeâs design and destroy these G-Shocks. If whatever you get up to doesn't sound quite as strenuous as being run over by a lorry then you can probably rest assured the G-shock can handle it. Let's take a look at the features included in the DW-5600. FeaturesShock-proof Construction200m Water Resistance12/24h Digital Time CalendarStopwatchTimerAlarmElectric BacklightBattery Life Approx. 2 yearsFrom a feature point of view, the DW-5600 is the most basic in terms of functions but still packs in the most useful features and at a price-point that's quite staggering. The basic DW-5600 can be picked up new from places like Amazon for as little at ÂŁ80. Search for a second hand one on eBay, and you can find them cheaper. But for such a low price-point this genuinely is a fantastic watch for the intended I said before, size is also crucial for most people, and the DW-5600 or any of the square models for that matter is one of the smallest G-Shocks in the range. At wide and high it's small enough for most people considering what situations it will be worn in. Made of resin with a rubber strap it's also comfortable on the wrist I've always found, and once the dirty jobs are done just wash it under the tap, and it's clean and looks like new. Couple this with easy maintenance and the fact that parts are readily available should you manage to very severely damage the case or strap or just fancy changing the colour. And you have a watch that will last a lifetime! Battery life on this model is stated at around two years, and while this isn't very long, it's an easy job to swap out the battery yourself. Fancy a longer battery life? For a little extra you could look at the GW-5610 range of squares which feature solar charging and can last around 10 Years! ConclusionStyle-wise there is a whole subculture attached to these G-Shock Squares, and with Casio releasing different colour variations across the entire range at a pace that is sometimes bewildering. You will be hard-pressed if you like the idea of one, not to be able to find a colour you want. Casio does a number of special editions and limited runs and also collaborate with designers, artists and musicians to name just a few to create new colours and styles for the range. In some ways for a watch design that is decades old and loved by millions, it seems a little derogatory to label the DW-5600 as a beater. This G-Shock has become a style Icon but has retained what made it unique in the first place, and that's its practically indestructible nature. For me, the G-Shock DW-5600 is a watch I couldn't do without for my lifestyle because of that robust nature. But I have gone on to buy more because there are just so many varieties and variations. For me, the G-Shock DW-5600 isn't just an excellent beater watch. It's the King of beater watches! If you are after your own DW-5600 check this one out here
CasioG-Shock DW-5600E-1VER. 99,90 ⏠in stock. It will survive a fall from a height of 10 metres and even though it's not a diving watch, 200 metres depth won't be an issue for them either. You can be doing your thing with an automatic drill or knocking walls down and this watch will contently sit on your wrist, entirely unbothered.
The DW-5600E is not the iconic original G-Shock, though you wouldnât know from looking at it. The 5600 series first hit the scene in 1987 and has been in production in one form or another since then, and the current iteration is pretty much the most basic G-Shock you can buy. Save for a few small details here or there, itâs incredibly similar to the original but uses a plastic case in place of the originalâs blacked-out stainless steel. That might sound like a mark against the DW-5600E right off the bat, but the cheaper material works in the watchâs favor. For one, it means you can buy it for around $40 at your local Wal-Mart or Target. Secondly, because plastic has an elasticity to it that metal just doesnât have, is absorbs shocks better. Given that G-Shockâs creator, Kikuo Ibe, set out to engineer a timepiece that could withstand careless wear without any issue, itâs not in any way out of line with the brandâs ethos. Which brings us to this review. I wanted to see just how much abuse the most basic G-Shock could withstand before failing, and my torture testing went far beyond the occasional knock on a door jamb; I threw it, dropped it, hit it with a hammer and ran over it with my car to find its breaking point. And I was surprised to find how much abuse it could take. Buy Now $39 The Good If you want a truly tough-as-nails watch Iâm not entirely sure you can do better than the DW-5600E. Well, maybe you could, but I donât know how Iâd feel about dropping anything more expensive three stories onto concrete â and thatâs the point. For just $40 you get the toughest watch you could need, and while the DW-5600E is incredibly simple, with no frills to speak of, this is refreshing in and of itself. Thereâs no fuss with this watch â it just does its job, and it does it well. Who Theyâre For Anyone who needs or wants a beater watch and doesnât want to spend much money. The good olâ G-Shock has been the timepiece of choice amongst military servicepeople, police, firefighters, construction workers, et cetera â so if thatâs you, this is as good a choice as any. If that isnât you, but you still need something to wear while camping or working on DIY projects, this is still an excellent choice, especially if you donât want to spend a lot of money on something you know will see some type of abuse. Watch Out For Most people probably wonât be buying the DW-5600E for its chronograph functionality and alarm, but theyâre there. Setting these things up, as well as the time and date, is a little clunky and take some time to figure out. The recessed buttons â which youâll need to be pushing a lot to set the time â certainly donât help in this regard. This is more of an annoyance than a fatal flaw. The DW-5600E does have a fatal flaw, though, and itâs an inability to withstand the force of a Volvo station wagonâs driverâs side tire. More on this in a second. Alternatives The Timex Ironman Original is another tough, functional and cheap digital watch with roots in the 1980s. While the list price at $67 is a bit more than the G-Shockâs, thereâs an extra degree of functionality in the Ironman. For example, the chronograph features are more extensive on the Ironman which makes sense, given that itâs billed as a sports timepieces and the exposed pushers are easier to use than the recessed buttons on the G-Shock; a âNight-Modeâ is a nice touch, too. The Ironman is also rated as âshock-proof,â though I couldnât tell you how it fares compared to the G-Shock. Itâs probably still more than enough. Review Strap the DW-5600E to your wrist, and youâll notice that it doesnât really look or feel like most other G-Shocks you can buy right now. Theyâre massive, chunky, heavy and covered in countless nubs and facets. The DW-5600E, on the other hand, is comparably minimal. At wide and thick, it doesnât wear much larger than most big sports watches you can buy today. Its design, still firmly rooted in its 1980s upbringing, is far more mundane. Fumble through its many functions â time, countdown timer, stopwatch, alarm, backlight â via its tiny, recessed buttons, and youâll get an equally â80s-tastic nostalgia blast. So the DW-5600E is not like a modern G-Shock regarding aesthetics, nor does it have a large amount of functionality, but itâs still a pure distillation of what Ibe aimed to produce â namely, a nearly indestructible watch. More specifically, Ibe stipulated an ability to withstand 100 meters of water pressure and survive a 10-meter fall 10-year battery life was initially stipulated though not initially achieved. The watch is rated to 200 meters of water resistance, and since Iâm not a diver, Iâll have to take Ibeâs word for it. But the 10-meter fall? I have a few things to say about that. When I first got my hands on the DW-5600E I tossed it over my shoulder on hardwood flooring to prove how careless you can be with a watch like this. As youâd expect, there was no visible damage. Later wearing the watch â while moving â I went out of my way to bang the G-Shock on any surface within armâs reach, and again there were no dings, scuffs or loss of functionality. These are the sort of everyday things that could damage a more fragile timepiece, and itâs no surprise that the DW-5600E was entirely unphased by them. Photo Andrew Connor So I took the watch off and gave it a few good thwacks on wood and metal surfacesâŠnothing. Ready to kick things up a notch, I dropped the watch from the first-floor balcony of my building. Again, nothing. So I went up one more floor. Nothing, not even a damn scuff and all functions appeared to work properly. Looking to further the abuse in a more creative manner, I go inside and grab a claw hammer. With the watch resting face-up on a piece of wood, I delivered the kind of considered blow youâd use to drive a nail into wood with one strike â it doesnât phase the watch. I tried it again, failing to cause any perceptible damage. I rested the watch on its side and delivered another strike, leaving just a small scuff. I then attacked the DW-5600E with several fast-paced hits to its side and face. While the watch took on a couple of small dings, it otherwise continued functioning like it was just taken out of the box. So I climbed to the third balcony of my building and dropped the G-Shock; it landed face-down with a loud, plastic-y thud. After the long walk down I picked it up to find it fully functioning. There appeared to be some concrete dust collected on the front of the case that wiped off easily, and the only damage sustained appeared to be a slight loosening of the screw holding the resin strap onto the case. So I tried the drop again, throwing the watch up into the air a few more feet before it arced back down to the ground. Nothing. Finally, I forcefully threw the watch at the wall of the neighboring building and witnessed the G-Shock ricochet its way to the ground. No sign of any damage. Growing frustrated that I couldnât impart any real damage to the DW-5600E I decided one final test was in order. I considered my Volvo station wagon, nearly two tons of Swedish steel, and put the watch face down on the pavement under the front driverâs side wheel. Shifting into first I slowly roll over it over andâŠnothing. No damage appeared to be done. I tried again, going into reverse. Still nothing. Finally, I set the watch on its side and tried for a third time. As I rolled over the watch, I hear a pop. The case back popped off, dislodging the screen and movement slightly from their once-impervious housing. The cracked digital display had nothing on it and the plastic case, slightly deformed as it was ground into the pavement, finally showed the serious scuffs I had been looking for. The case back was not going to attach back on. The watch was, at this point, irreversibly fucked up. The only thing working, amazingly, was the backlight. I had finally succeeded. And yet, as I was scooping up the remains and putting them in the cupholder of my car, I wished I hadnât succeeded. The DW-5600E had survived far more abuse than any other watch wouldâve, and more than any normal wearer would possibly have put it through. I felt a lingering sadness thinking about all the life it couldâve had left; I realized, at that moment, that this plastic, bargain-bin watch had an incredible amount of personality. Verdict The DW-5600E is more than a plastic watch you can feel comfortable tossing around with abandon â in being able to withstand so much abuse thereâs an irrefutable charm to it. Itâs the kind of watch thatâll accompany you until the endâŠso long as you donât run over it with your car. What Others Are Saying âą âI didnât buy this watch for travel. I bought it to have adventures in. I wanted a watch that I could scale mountains, go SCUBA diving and trek through jungles with. I wanted a watch that Indiana Jones could wear. I wanted something that could withstand all the cool activities and trips and adventures that I plan to have. And thatâs what I got with my G-Shock DW-5600E-1V.â â Christian Alexandersen, Worn & Wound Key Specs Movement Digital quartzCase material ResinCase width resistance 200mNotable functions Countdown timer, stopwatch, alarm
ASINâ : â B000GY74R2. Item model number â : â DW-5600E-1VER. Department â : â Men's. Best Sellers Rank: 4,960 in Watches ( See Top 100 in Watches) 1,580 in Men's Wrist Watches.. Buy Casio Men's G-Shock Quartz Watch with Resin Strap, Black, 20 (Model: DW5600E-1V) and other Wrist Watches at Amazon.com. Our wide selection is eligible
Casio G-Shock Menâs Watch DW-5600E Review. Hello, today Iâm doing a G-Shock DW-5600E review. The G-Shock series of watches has always been a very popular choice for people looking for a robust timepiece thatâs still impressively affordable. As with many G-Shock watches, you can expect 200m water resistance and a durable finish. This watch is also certified by NASA for space missions, thatâs not something I get to say about many watches. Click on any image to head straight to the product page for prices and specifications Anyway, Iâll get on with my Casio DW-5600E review below and you can find out the price on Amazon today, enjoy. At the bottom of the article, Iâll show you some of my recommended places to buy this watch from My Initial Thoughts On This Watch Iâve always rather liked the G-Shock series, I feel the offer some pretty good value for money when you take everything into account. The G-Shock watches were built to withstand mechanical shock and vibration. This makes them an ideal sports or military style watch, perfect for those who love their outdoor activities. The watch is rather simple and reliable, thereâs a luminescent backlight for easy reading at night, plus a useful stopwatch and alarm function. While it doesnât look as oversized as some other G-Shock models, this may actually be something people prefer. As we often find on G-Shock watches the casing is made of stainless steel and wrapped in a defensive resin to offer better protection. If you were after something practical then the G-Shock DW-5600E seems to make a lot of sense to me. Movement The watch utilises a reliable quartz movement that has a 2 year battery life using a one battery system. Quartz movements are great as they remain accurate and reliable without the need for much in the way of service. Type of glass The DW-5600E uses a toughened mineral glass thatâs ideal for this style of watch. Mineral glass offers a good level of scratch resistance and is ideal for shatter resistance. Itâs fair to say sapphire glass would offer much better scratch resistance but it lacks the same shatter resistance that mineral glass has, and when youâre making a watch to withstand drops, then mineral is the clear choice to go for. Size I mentioned earlier on that this isnât your typical oversized G-Shock watch, youâll actually be able to fit this under the cuff of your shit easier, shocking right? The watch has a casing diameter of 42mm which brings it more in line with a standard menâs watch. The thickness of the case is 13mm which is just a little larger than average and avoids going totally overboard. Calendar Thereâs a handy day-date and month display available on this timepiece. The beauty of a digital watch is how easy it is to offer an automatic calendar feature. Whereas on traditional watches youâd often have to adjust the date for the varying amount of days in each month, this digital watch adjusts it for you automatically. Watch strap and clasp The watch strap is made of a synthetic resin thatâs perfect for wrist straps due to its very durable and flexible properties. It fastens using a standard buckle system with a stainless steel clasp. The strap itself measures 28mm wide which makes it notably bigger than a normal strap, this adds to the watches reassuring durable feel. Water Resistance The water resistance rating is a brilliant 200m, or 20ATM. 100m water resistance makes it suitable for professional marine activity, serious surface water sports and skin diving. Features Brand Casio G-Shock Model DW-5600E Dial Window Material Mineral Glass Clasp Type Standard buckle style clasp Case Material Stainless Steel with resin Case Diameter 42mm Case Thickness 13mm Band Material Synthetic resin Band Width 28mm Calendar Day /date /month display Movement Quartz Movement Water Resistance Rating 200m Conclusion So there we have it, an affordable digital watch that NASA has certified for us on its space missions, all things considered, thatâs pretty impressive. If you were after a nice digital watch that was easy to use with handy features then this G-Shock watch may be perfect for you. I Hope you found this Casio G-Shock DW-5600E review useful and enjoyable, comment below and let me know what you think of it. Where to buy the G-Shock DW-5600E I like to stick to listing retailers that Iâve actually had experience buying from in the past. Below Iâve listed some of the top places to buy this watch from, check all 3 for the best price. Buy on Watch Shop Unavailable Buy on The Watch Hut Unavailable Amazon Thanks for reading, find more of my watch reviews below.
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