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G-Shock’s Flagship Watch Now Has a New Definitive Version

Casio’s famously rugged square watch just got a long overdue update for drastically improved quality of life.

Black Casio digital watch face showing date Sunday 6-30 and time 9:58 with multi-band 6 and tough solar features.Casio
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By Jack Seemer

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A G-Shock can do many things other watches can’t. It can survive a big fall from a rooftop, dive 200 meters underwater and even convert sunlight into power.

But there is one thing they sometimes struggle to do, and it’s a problem that goes all the way back to the original G-Shock from the early 1980s: tell the time.

With the release of the new GW-BX5600 — the first watches within the 5000 and 5600 series with memory-in-pixel LCD screens — it looks like G-Shock has finally decided it’s time to address the elephant in the room.

Black Casio G-Shock digital watch with rectangular face, showing time 10:58:50 and date Sunday 6-30.
The new GW-BX5600 is the first watch within the 5000 and 5600 series with a memory-in-pixel LCD screen.
Casio

Tough read

To be clear, accuracy has never been much of an issue with G-Shock watches, and it’s become even less so with innovations like Bluetooth syncing for automatic time adjustment.

Where G-Shock watches traditionally fall short is in the legibility department, especially in bright conditions or at certain angles.

Black Casio G-Shock digital watch with rectangular face displaying time, date, and multiple functions.
The memory-in-pixel LCD screen gives the watch improved legibility at an angle.
Casio

Of course, newer models have made small improvements with higher-contrast displays. However, the memory-in-pixel LCD screens found on the GW-BX5600 represent the largest leap forward in terms of overall readability.

In short, the numbers and text are brighter, crisper and they can be read at an angle, rather than just straight on. The watch also gives wearers the choice between two fonts: Classic or Standard, the latter of which features closed numbers.

Close-up of a black Casio G-Shock digital watch face showing time, date, and various function labels.
Wearers can toggle between two fonts: Classic and Standard (pictured).
Casio

Unfortunately, there’s no option to change the polarity of the display from positive to negative.

That said, the watch comes in either configuration — both of which match the square look and overall vibe of Kikuo Ibe’s 1983 design — along with Tough Solar and Multi Band 6.

Black Casio G-Shock digital watch with illuminated display showing time 10:58:50 and date Sunday 6-30.
The watch comes with other expected functionality, including Tough Solar, Multi Band 6 and a backlight.
Casio

Though traditionalists can forever appreciate the purity of the made-in-Japan 5000 series, the GW-BX5600 arrives as arguably the truest expression yet of Ibe’s vision: a utilitarian timepiece that can do it all … even tell the time.

Black Casio G-Shock digital watch with rectangular face and black resin strap on a dark brown background.
Is the GW-BX5600 the definitive square G-Shock? It’s certainly among the most practical …
Casio

Availability and pricing

Still MIA on G-Shock’s website in the United States, the new memory-in-pixel GW-BX5600 watches are available in Japan for 30,800 yen ($200). Official US pricing has yet to be revealed.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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