Third time's a charm, the Goldilocks G-Shock
I’m on my third day of the self imposed G-Shock challenge week, and it’s the turn to take a look at my GW-M5610U. The U at the end is very important because I would never have bought it otherwise.
The GW-M5610U is my third G-Shock and I bought it about a year ago, because, well – because of the U. The U at the end is the identification for the newer modules that brought with them many changes, however the most important of them for me was the ability to change the date format, something that neither the DW-5600E nor the GM-S5600 that I wore in the past two days could do, and although I admit that it’s a minor annoyance, it was still one that I could very well live without.
The GW-M5610U was the first U module based G-Shock that I could buy, and this time I decided to be wise and source a real Casio OEM combi-bracelet. It may surprise some, but finding one is a chore and when you do it may well be more expensive to buy than a whole new square G-Shock. Casio are really into forcing you to use the straps that they fit on their watch and they don’t like it at all when you want to use something else. They remind me a lot of these architects that planned cities with the clear intention to force their residents to comply with their view of urban utopia.
The GW-M5610U is like an upgraded and better version of the DW-5600E. It has a nearly identical case, but it also add some extras, like time synchronization with atomic clock radio signals (not really useful for me), and multiple time zones to turn it into the perfect GMT and travel watch, solar charging, LED instead of EL illumination, an auto illumination that works surprisingly well, support for different languages, and changing the date format from the USA centrist MMDD to the more widely used DDMM.
It’s a great watch and the best classic resin square G-Shock IMO. It’s also looking very retro 80’s with all the text and the red frame around the display. The best however is the combi-bracelet. It’s made of plastic and metal (hence combi) and the links are held together with miniature spring bars which is such a genius trick that I can’t believe I never saw it done before. The clasp is pressed metal, which I don’t mind since it keeps it thin and light, and Casio even added a small rubber bumper to provide more cushioning and prevent scratches when you work at your desk, they obviously know their customers very well.
The GW-M5610U with the combi-bracelet is still a very light watch, but now it’s also comfortable to wear. The bracelet is both functional and effective at preventing sweat itches and it’s also a better looking option than the standard plastic straps. Pairing them together resulted in the true Goldilocks watch: it’s simply perfect.
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I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
The Combi-bracelets are fantastic. I've had mine on a GW-M5600BC for 13 years now. I've thought about selling the watch a few times and getting a newer positive display model, but the one thing stopping me is the bracelet, it is so comfortable, practice and durable.
Yeah, I know, I could just swap it on to another G, but it really suits this watch and I couldn't bear to separate them.
After 13 years it's starting to look it's age, but I think it looks all the better for it.
Honestly, the Auto-Light is my favorite feature of this watch. Second would be the MB6, which gives me an accurate source to set my other watches to (without having to fiddle with my phone, and wait for the minute to roll around). The Power Save function is nice, also. I feel like it goes FOREVER before dropping down to M charge level, and I do my very best to stay out of the sun as much as possible. 😂 I set the watch face down in the watchbox, on top of a chifferobe in my bedroom, where it consistently will pick up the atomic signal, and go into PS mode. It's been an awesome little watch, I wish I would've believed the hype and picked one up sooner.
That brecelet really makes it feel like a different watch, doesent it?
That brecelet really makes it feel like a different watch, doesent it?
yes it does.
Honestly, the Auto-Light is my favorite feature of this watch. Second would be the MB6, which gives me an accurate source to set my other watches to (without having to fiddle with my phone, and wait for the minute to roll around). The Power Save function is nice, also. I feel like it goes FOREVER before dropping down to M charge level, and I do my very best to stay out of the sun as much as possible. 😂 I set the watch face down in the watchbox, on top of a chifferobe in my bedroom, where it consistently will pick up the atomic signal, and go into PS mode. It's been an awesome little watch, I wish I would've believed the hype and picked one up sooner.
The auto illumination was a big surprise for me as well. I first encountered this feature many years ago on my Casio ProTrek and it didn't work well. It either didn't light at all, or when it did the light was just good enough to see that there is some light there, making the dial legible was beyond its capabilities.
The one on the GW-M5610U does work well and reliably, and it has a light sensor so it activates only when it's dark.
The Combi-bracelets are fantastic. I've had mine on a GW-M5600BC for 13 years now. I've thought about selling the watch a few times and getting a newer positive display model, but the one thing stopping me is the bracelet, it is so comfortable, practice and durable.
Yeah, I know, I could just swap it on to another G, but it really suits this watch and I couldn't bear to separate them.
After 13 years it's starting to look it's age, but I think it looks all the better for it.
The only problem I had with my combi-bracelet is that it's shipped without spring bars and the one on the GW-M5610U are just a bit too thick to fit easily in.
Honestly, the Auto-Light is my favorite feature of this watch. Second would be the MB6, which gives me an accurate source to set my other watches to (without having to fiddle with my phone, and wait for the minute to roll around). The Power Save function is nice, also. I feel like it goes FOREVER before dropping down to M charge level, and I do my very best to stay out of the sun as much as possible. 😂 I set the watch face down in the watchbox, on top of a chifferobe in my bedroom, where it consistently will pick up the atomic signal, and go into PS mode. It's been an awesome little watch, I wish I would've believed the hype and picked one up sooner.
I think my power saver is faulty. I can't get it to drop down below full.. no matter how hard I try 😂
The auto illumination was a big surprise for me as well. I first encountered this feature many years ago on my Casio ProTrek and it didn't work well. It either didn't light at all, or when it did the light was just good enough to see that there is some light there, making the dial legible was beyond its capabilities.
The one on the GW-M5610U does work well and reliably, and it has a light sensor so it activates only when it's dark.
Was the ProTrek a solar watch?
Was the ProTrek a solar watch?
It is. It's the PRG-510GB which I believe was the first to feature auto illumination and one of the first ana-digi ProTrek.
The LED is located in the small bump behind the 6 o'clock marker, which is actually the only thing it manage to light.
It is. It's the PRG-510GB which I believe was the first to feature auto illumination and one of the first ana-digi ProTrek.
The LED is located in the small bump behind the 6 o'clock marker, which is actually the only thing it manage to light.
Well, they've come a long way, then!
Well, they've come a long way, then!
They sure did.
They sure did.
Hell yeah!