Casio GW-5610 Review

Let me start with a question. Which watch in your collection is the most comfortable, accurate and durable? In my modest collection, one piece manages this role, namely the Casio GW-M5610 G-Shocks (i.e. the model without the U suffix). Not only is it a very durable piece from the Japanese giant's portfolio (for which that durability is expected in advance), but at the same time, thanks to the radio-controlled time, it serves as a kind of prototype time in my collection to which other pieces must submit. Moreover, thanks to their size and light weight, they are beautifully compatible with my hand. As a kind of icing on the cake, it then presents the tough solar technology, which guarantees reliable operation based on the energy obtained from the thermonuclear reactions of our nearest star. Inside the watch, of course, there is a battery where the obtained energy is collected, but even this should last, according to many reactions, at least a decade of happy operation. Throughout this review I will not forgive myself for comparing it to its much more basic sibling, the DW-5600, which with a few exceptions is subjectively a much worse piece of watchmaking, but more on that later.

What led me to acquire this piece? As it happens, watch collecting is a treacherous disease, spread not only by direct contact with an infected person or by confrontation with a piece directly transmitting the virus. Watch collecting is a disease of a different format. It is often enough to infect patients already infected with it. Convinced (infected) that I needed some nice G's for my collection, I threw myself into gathering information on the Internet to finally make sure that the GW-M5610 was the right choice. Click gave click, and thanks to the conveniences of internet banking, which is the greatest enemy of the conscientious and thrifty man of sense, in a few days I was able to enjoy a hexagonal-shaped metal box housing the result of modern serial manufacturing in Thailand. And the first impression was great.

Here I would like to pause on the philosophy of first impressions. Generally, I think that if I get excited about something on first impression, the enthusiasm gradually fades. However, if I'm slightly disillusioned or even disappointed, as I get to know it, I gradually discover different nuances and beauties and the relationship deepens unshakably. This process has been the same with my SARX035 dream watch, which I like better every day. With these much cheaper Casios, however, there was the proverbial exception that proves the rule. Not only did they make a great first impression on me, but simply removing them from the tin box and attaching them to my hand reassured me of the correctness of my decision. As I hinted in the introduction, I was and still am an owner of the cheaper siblings of the DW-5600 (in all-black with an inverted BB display), but they never grew on me. These basic G-Shocks are made of uncomfortable rubber, have an unnecessarily large case that digs into the wrist, and even the actual operation of the watch is uncomfortable due to the recessed reset button. I take the poor legibility as a tax on the inverted display design, the regular version would be perfectly fine in this regard. The GW-M5610 is a completely different watch. Not just in features, that's to be expected, but mainly in the feel of the much nicer materials, the incomparably more comfortable size, and even the aforementioned controls.

In photos they look practically the same as other square G-Shocks, but in person they are somewhere else. The great feeling is also enhanced by the machined caseback, which looks much more valuable than a regular caseback of the basic model. The dimensions are mentioned quite often in various reviews, but the other materials used were quite a surprise to me. Even the thickness of the strap is smaller, making the radio-controlled timekeeper sit absolutely comfortably on the hand. The only visual weakness of this model is the shiny silver buckle. I had spotted this flaw in a few other reviews, so the logical next step was to go for a matte grey piece from DW-5600 donor. Appearance-wise, then, all is well for me and I can get down to a detailed description of the exterior and functions.

I'll start with the face, the display. The red border with yellow and blue lettering might sound a bit circus-like according to the verbal description, but in real life I enjoy this combination, and even after some 3 years of ownership I have not tired of it. Compared to classic digital clocks or even the cheapest G-Shocks, there is quite a lot of information displayed here, including signal reception, automatic display illumination or even daylight saving time. The main screen is then the place where the date is displayed in the top right corner. The date is drawn with small dots, so the border can show much more information than a typical digit (Lat. Digitus = finger) display. After pressing the MODE button, we get to the world time. Definitely an important function, but useless for a person spending the vast majority of his life in the Czech Republic. Personally, I have the Big Apple set there, because I have to communicate with a few people in this big city now and then. Here, just a bordered part of the display is used to show the city in 3 character format. I think it's cool. Another press of the bottom left button brings the curious first-timer to one of the 5 alarms. The bordered hutch again shows which alarm clock my eyes are currently resting on. With the next click we get to the stopwatch and here I already have some comments, because this functionality was better handled in the basic G-Shock. The stopwatch stops to the best of its ability, but that hutch displays the elapsed hours so that the main part of the display can show hundredths of a second for the full 24 hours of the maximum duration. Personally, I don't need to measure the time 19h 56m 23.43s, I'd make do with whole seconds after the passage of an hour and make up the space in the hutch for the current time. That's where the basic G-Shocks are better. The same is true of the countdown, which is the last function of the 3159 module. Again, I would reserve a small window for the current time. Additionally, the countdown cannot be set to less than 1 minute - again, a point for the basic G-Shocks. Fortunately, this is the end of the advantages of the cheapest model and it will be a song of praise from here on. It should be noted that all these shortcomings are solved in the newer version with the U moniker.

The display can be brightened in dark times with a greenish illuminator. The light is displayed for 1.5 seconds, which bothers some people, but I'm fine with it. You can select the auto light, which is activated by turning the watch towards your face. This functionality works similarly reliably to the weather forecasters, so I've occasionally lit the watch on the 3rd try and other times gone from maximum charge to medium thanks to several nights of restless sleep with the watch on my wrist. The green glow cheerfully illuminated the sheets and immediate surroundings despite the tortuous angles of the hand. Fortunately, activation and deactivation is a matter of holding down the illumination button for a few seconds, so I have no problem with it and go with the manual setting most of the time. Unfortunately the new version doesn't have an Illuminator, but just a simple diode backlight, as compensation the illumination length can be set to 3 seconds.

I have one more comment on the display. Compared to the F91 or B640, for example, it has less contrast. It is best to look at the watch when it is on the left wrist and one needs a slight angle to see how late it is. On the other hand, I must highlight a feature not mentioned anywhere, but which I find exceedingly important when driving a fossil fuel powered vehicle. After all, I often use polarized glasses when driving, and with all other digitals, I can't see a fart with my hand on the wheel. The display is just black. The GW-M5610s, on the other hand, are beautifully legible. I don't know if this is a feature of just my piece, but it's worth mentioning. Again, I have to say that the newer version of the U is much further along in this regard and the display contrast is much better.

I have already highlighted the material of the case and the strap. The smaller size and low height make this watch incredibly comfortable. The curvature follows my wrist shape exactly and the light weight makes you completely forget about the feature-packed timekeeper. The buttons are slightly recessed and aren't the easiest to operate, requiring the use of a fingernail most of the time. Fortunately, the features are not so overwhelming that this fact downright bothers you in everyday use. For me, the important thing is that even the ADJUST button is on par with the others and can be operated normally. The overly recessed button of the basic G's drives me crazy. You can choose whether or not the buttons make a sound when pressed. I have it, for I don't know what reason, loud. Once again, I have to give it up for the case back. It is machined and thanks to its shape it not only looks better than the pressed piece of the basic model, it is also much more comfortable to wear. I can't explain it exactly, but overall, everything in contact with the wearer's hand is more pleasant and comfortable here.

Well, how do you live with them after some 3 years? The absolute accuracy of the radio control makes it a reference piece for all the other watches in the collection. They all have to answer to this superior with their (in)accuracy. If the G-Shocks are on the wrist during the night, the adjustment will be 100%. If the watch is lying in the watch case, the reception is also 100%. Another feature is the convenience mentioned several times. I spent about 4 days straight with it right after I bought it while cycling, sipping wine in the cellar and sleeping. There was no getting used to them, I just strapped them on my arm and rode. Even if you have multiple watches in rotation, there is usually some time to get used to the watch. Not with this piece, just the wearability is at a damn high level. I'm just very happy with it, and I'll forgive the few ills with generosity.

If I could imagine living with only two pieces in my collection (having only one piece is utopia, one watch can't handle jackhammer work, cyclocross riding and wearing with a suit, just no), it would be the SARX035 for the office and better wear and just the GW-M5610 for everything else. I can recommend them with a clear conscience to anyone who is looking at them I won't sing its praises, this is not a piece that pushes the boundaries of watchmaking forward, nor is it a watch that would take one's breath away at the sight of great workmanship or status. It's a cheap G-Shock that you don't have to worry about, that won't get in your way and just serve you happily for years. But I like them.