GLX-5600 - screwdriver G-Shock.

To say 5600 series G-Shock is a classic design icon is to state very obvious thing. It roots in very first g-shock watch ever made and has all the 80-s heritage qualities. It is square. it is slim and it is comfortable and light.  GLX -5600 is a modern interpretation of this watch. GLX-5600 got new internals  and true to the roots design. How it wears? Let walk through it and then you can decide is it the watch for you.

In the 80-s, digital watches were popular, cutting edge. They shared same technological wonder space as many Japanese imports:  next year it will be more exiting, more packed and will pass your imagination horizon. There are many wonderful examples from this era incorporating ultra thin build, amazing features (something you never saw before). G-Shock was same breed of never seen before watch. You can drop it form third floor on an asphalt and it will work. You can sink it and it will work. It will survive a lot. As an inspiration it had contemporary 1981-82 digital watch. You can see it side to side with 1981 Seiko.

 

Even screen size and digits height are SAME.  Seiko was not a very cheap one, it had slim build, high quality materials and it was within contemporary size standard of men’s watch. 1980-s G-Shock was the same. In order to incorporate protection it has to grow in size, yet it still small by modern standards.  Pushers, ergonomics and case shape of GLX5600 looks like it stepped from 1985 or 1996 for that matter. By the way, in 1996 or 1985 you could opt for same functions without G-buffing. You had thin watch with all water resistance and impressive durability like watches based on 690 module.  I used to own DW290 (so called mission impossible watch), which was comparable in size to DW5600 and as far as I was concerned equally bullet proof. Nothing could break it. As a matter of fact, no Casio watch ever broke on me in hiking, mountain biking, swimming or running.  These watches are durable even without  G-Shock additions. I hope I proves that GLX-5600 comes with some pedigree, tradition of good watchmaking and very recognizable design. In a way it no different from any Swiss watch, yet unlike many Swiss brands it is same company which used to make originals and same engineering team.

So what is GLX-5600? Is it an attractive digital watch in a format of classic GW5600 with some re arrangement on the display in order to fit tide graph. You can see on the pictures how it works out.

 

In real life you have no trouble reading time or date, getting info on current tide level in your city and to the lesser extent figuring out what is on: chimney, alarm, auto backlit or muted pushers.

Functionality is:

·         Normal timekeeping

·         Moon/tide data with some forward calculation ability

·         World time with plenty cities to choose from

·         Stopwatch with no lap functionality

·         Timer

·         2 alarms, snooze alarm and hourly signal

Watch shows some animation while changing modes and turns tide graph off while not in first two modes. It has very thin build and is 25% thinner than G-Shock DW-6900. If you lose protection border bezel it will be as thin as digital watches from 80-s and 90-s. LCD is very close to “crystal” and comparing to some other G-Shocks and  GLX5600 do not resemble Hermit crab looking out from depths of his shell  spooked by something . It is attractive and neat watch easily recognizable with proven street credibility.  Like I said before you do wear a milestone design. LCD gives all information in clear and elegantly balanced way. It is an attractive watch. As my watch shows it can take the beating without scratching glass. Back of the watch is nice example of good machining with all small details telling you “Quality, man, we have it!”

 

Band is long and will be comfortable and sufficient for wrists of all sizes big and small.

 

 

Yes, it is battery powered and takes CR2025 which should last for 7-10 years depending on your usage. Battery probably will die of age not from draining. There is no solar, radio control or some other additions (triple sensor anyone)  from more advanced G-Shocks. Is it a problem? Not for me.  IT also helps to keep watch thinner on your wrist and on your budget.  

So what is this watch? It is a good every day, active every day, office every day and hanging out every day watch. It is not a good sport watch. Pushers are not nice to operate. There are better watches for timing laps and events. Yet among G-Shocks it is normal, unless you opt for frogman, gulfman … etc. man models. It not like you can’t use them; rather there are better watches far more suitable for timing laps. This is watch you will be comfortable running, swimming, biking, hiking .. name it activity. I done 3 out 4 wearing this watch and it was great companion.  It is the watch to tell time during various activities. Reliably and indestructibly.  Watches tell a lot about person wearing it. This watch tells you are active, appreciate core values, style aware person  but not flashy (unless you opt for some green, purple or red ).  GLX-5600 is substantial as a hummer or screwdriver. It is , actually, remind me of hiking shoes: sturdy, comfortable and one which will accompany you to the greatest places and won’t break from effort.

Would I recommend this watch? 100% I will! I love wearing it!