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Japan’s Most Iconic Watch Is Now a ’90s-Style Throwback

G-Shock’s timeless classic gets a new look courtesy of this popular South Korean streetwear label.

Digital Casio watch with a translucent frosted strap and "thisisneverthat" branding on the face.G-Shock
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Ethan Brehm

By Ethan Brehm

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Transparent tech is back in a big way. From earbuds to smartphones, and everything in between, this late-’90s aesthetic has been flooding several consumer markets over the past couple of years.

The watch world, however, has always loved its transparency. Skeleton dials, exhibition casebacks and even see-through cases are nothing new. But on a rugged tool watch? It’s atypical.

G-Shock has always been the exception, and now it maintains all of the toughest specs on its most iconic timepiece while throwing things back to the Y2K era.

Transparent Casio G-Shock digital watch with "thisisneverthat" branding on the face and a frosted strap.
G-Shock teamed up with South Korean streetwear label Thisisneverthat on a very late-’90s take on the 5600.
G-Shock

All clear

The new DW-5600TNT-7 is simple yet eye-catching, boasting a frosted transparent resin case that reveals the black inner case for a killer streetwear aesthetic. The timepiece is adorned with a matching resin band with a clear band loop as well.

Digital Casio G-Shock watch face with silver bezel and "thisisneverthat" branding on display.
Under the frosted resin sits a black case that boasts the same shock-resistance as your typical 5600.
G-Shock
Translucent white watch strap with a silver buckle and "thisisneverthat" text on the strap loop.
The see-through aesthetic extends to the resin band as well.
G-Shock

It’s a collaboration with South Korean streetwear label Thisisneverthat (TNT), known for bringing slightly “off” reinterpretations of classic pieces. Now, it takes on the ubiquitous stalwart.

The ultimate classic gets a new look

I’m always hesitant to call G-Shock’s 5600 an ‘80s watch because it’s simply never gone out of style, yet has always managed to look contemporary. However, here it lands firmly in the late ‘90s for serious old-school appeal.

Digital Casio G-Shock watch face with LED backlight showing time 10:58:50 and date Su 6-30.
You still get the same digital suite as your standard version of the digital icon.
G-Shock

All the 5600 hallmarks return, including its 200m of water resistance, shock resistance and five-year battery life. You also get the classic digital suite that includes stopwatch, timer, alarms and auto-calendar. An LED backlight illuminates the dial when needed.

Translucent white watch strap with silver metal buckle and "thisisneverthat" text on the loop.
Thisisneverthat branding can be found on the band loop.
G-Shock
Close-up of a black Casio G-Shock digital watch face with green illuminated "PROTECTION" and "G-SHOCK" text.
Phosphorescent coating is put on some of the bezel text for an interesting low-light glow.
G-Shock

Aside from the transparent design, the watch has some interesting new features courtesy of TNT. First up, the “Protection” and “G-Shock” text on the top and bottom of the bezel have been given a phosphorescent coating that glows green at night. The dial itself is an inverted LCD display, meaning it has a black background with gray text. 

Transparent white G-Shock digital watch with black face and silver buckle next to a brown cardboard box with "thisisneverthat" and "G-SHOCK CASIO" logos.
The watch is packaged in a miniature (and minimalist) cardboard box.
G-Shock

Thisisneverthat branding can be found at the top of the dial, as well as on the steel caseback. The packaging is also unique, designed to look like a mini cardboard box enshrouding the watch.

Back of a Casio DW-5600TNT watch with a transparent white strap and stainless steel case back.
The caseback also gets some TNT branding.
G-Shock

Availability and pricing

The G-Shock x Thisisneverthat DW-5600TNT-7 is expected to land in July in most markets. Pricing hasn’t been set yet but this will likely hover around the $120 mark.

About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he’s not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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