Why is the DW-5600 popular?

4177 Views 35 Replies 28 Participants Last post by fabslife, 4 mo ago

Spiffy

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

There are a number of G-Shock models that have features that are found on the DW-5600. In fact, some have more than that. So why is the DW-5600 range so famous? Is it cause of its size? Price?

FYI the wife just bought me a DW5600 HR-1 for my 33rd Birthday so I am buzzing for it to arrive!

1 - 20 of 36 Posts

thetick-thetick

· #2 · 4 mo ago

The DW-5600 has been the legendary - signature model of G-Shock for decades. Next to it is the other sibling - the DW-6900. The base model DW-5600 has been upgraded with the latest features and functions, which can be found in a series of new models. Another reason why many watch enthusiasts love the DW-5600 is because of easily available spares like the module (the movement), the hard case, and the BNB (bezel and band). As a watch collector, a DW-5600 is a must-have. I call my DW-5600 'the morning watch'

. Semi-retired, my morning routine - is exercise, house cleaning, or gardening. My 5 cents WIS. Hoped you will love it.

Watch Clock Gadget Wrist Watch accessory

See less See more

Reactions: 5

el_duderino

· #3 · 4 mo ago

The first three paragraphs should explain it sufficiently.

Reactions: 3

Spiffy

Discussion Starter · #4 · 4 mo ago

thetick-thetick said:
The DW-5600 has been the legendary - signature model of G-Shock for decades. Next to it is the other sibling - the DW-6900. The base model DW-5600 has been upgraded with the latest features and functions, which can be found in a series of new models. Another reason why many watch enthusiasts love the DW-5600 is because of easily available spares like the module (the movement), the hard case, and the BNB (bezel and band). As a watch collector, a DW-5600 is a must-have. I call my DW-5600 'the morning watch' . Semi-retired, my morning routine - is exercise, house cleaning, or gardening. My 5 cents WIS. Hoped you will love it.

View attachment 17186422

You’ve got the OG one!

Emphasis

· #5 · 4 mo ago

Reliable, rugged, and very affordable. One of the best watches ever made IMO. A highly functional 200m water resistant watch that can be bought for under $50 on Amazon.

It's also probably the most affordable NASA flight certified watch you can buy.

Reactions: 5

Rocket1991

· #6 · 4 mo ago

Spiffy said:
There are a number of G-Shock models that have features that are found on the DW-5600. In fact, some have more than that. So why is the DW-5600 range so famous? Is it cause of its size? Price?

FYI the wife just bought me a DW5600 HR-1 for my 33rd Birthday so I am buzzing for it to arrive!

Because it cheap, has a lot of colourful LEs and made stylistically similar to first Casio G-Shock. It not the most popular Casio model. Though, i think it in top 7.
Plain DW5600 is not popular. Though it is forum favourite recommendation, there are not many of them in the wild.
For every 5-10 solar powered squares you will find 1 DW or less in "classic" colours. I see 5610 more than i see DW5600.
It makes about 0 sense to buy "plain" DW when extra 40$ get you solar, MB6, modern module and better strap. That, if you looking for function. LEs are different story. Nobody buying Mario themed DW5600 because of functionality. Mario is the main attraction and reason why people choose it.

It is cool retro watch to have and true to the roots as it can be. In this sense it total style icon. I think most purchases are driven by desire to have this archaic experience.
Which is totally fine. I love my calculator Casio watch and it gets most attention of any watch i have. Calculator part there is for the style and not really give any functional reason to buy it.

I have two. Plain and LE. Plain i don't wear much at all. LE gets more wrist time due to funky looks and higher quality of strap (less stiff, less sharp edges).

See less See more

Reactions: 4

chronotimers

· #7 · 4 mo ago

You can see the most popular DW-5600 back from the 80's , 1987 to be exact if i'm not mistaken from the thread below

www.watchuseek.com

Which version of the DW5600 is this?

Smithsonian listed as donated by Nasa to the museum. I know it is a DW5600, but which version and is it still available? And if not, what is the closest modern equivalent?

www.watchuseek.com

www.watchuseek.com

Ginseng108

· #8 · 4 mo ago

Rocket1991 said:
Because it cheap, has a lot of colourful LEs and made stylistically similar to first Casio G-Shock. It not the most popular Casio model. Though, i think it in top 7.
Plain DW5600 is not popular. Though it is forum favourite recommendation, there are not many of them in the wild.
For every 5-10 solar powered squares you will find 1 DW or less in "classic" colours. I see 5610 more than i see DW5600.
It makes about 0 sense to buy "plain" DW when extra 40$ get you solar, MB6, modern module and better strap. That, if you looking for function. LEs are different story. Nobody buying Mario themed DW5600 because of functionality. Mario is the main attraction and reason why people choose it.

It is cool retro watch to have and true to the roots as it can be. In this sense it total style icon. I think most purchases are driven by desire to have this archaic experience.
Which is totally fine. I love my calculator Casio watch and it gets most attention of any watch i have. Calculator part there is for the style and not really give any functional reason to buy it.

I have two. Plain and LE. Plain i don't wear much at all. LE gets more wrist time due to funky looks and higher quality of strap (less stiff, less sharp edges).

I agree. I own several G5xxx but not a single D5xxx. Event though it's cheap, it's a throwback that holds no real attraction for me other than historical. This alone is not enough to motivate me to add it to my collection.

Reactions: 1

Time4Playnow

· #9 · 4 mo ago

The basic DW-5600E is not popular?

Amazon shows nearly 14,500 ratings for it. And that doesn't count the truckloads that are bought at Walmarts, Kohls, or the local PX on any military base.. I got mine on sale for around $30 some years back.

Watch Clock Rectangle Font Gadget

It's popular because it's cheap, tough, has basic functions that ppl want, and won't break the bank if it needs to be replaced down the line.

And btw, this is the G I wear if going to be doing some rough activity where there's a good chance the watch can get smacked, hit, scraped, or otherwise abused.

I'll also mention, for the newer guys who may not know - the DW range allows the light to stay on for as long as the light button is pressed..

See less See more

Reactions: 5

khairulhelmi1978

· #10 · 4 mo ago

it's the iconic G-Shock model. The one that closely identifies with the company values and design philosophy. Just like Rolex is well known for its Submariner, Omega with Speedmaster, and Seiko with SKX007.

Reactions: 5

Rocket1991

· #11 · 4 mo ago

Ginseng108 said:
I agree. I own several G5xxx but not a single D5xxx. Event though it's cheap, it's a throwback that holds no real attraction for me other than historical. This alone is not enough to motivate me to add it to my collection.

I actually bought it just for collection.
Also it was first G-shock i was introduced to back in my student days. My friend bought one and was telling about how cool and indestructible it is.
I got DW280, though.

Totally memory lane thing. It kinda sits there with X-files, Friends and floppy disks.

Reactions: 1

fjblair

· #12 · 4 mo ago

OG

buddhashenglong

· #13 · 4 mo ago

It's also probably the easiest to customize, with the plethora of aforementioned available spare parts.

Watch Clock Gadget Rectangle Font

Here's my custom square.

See less See more

Reactions: 4

357-Mag

· #14 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

It's super comfortable to wear and designed to feel like it belongs on your wrist. What I mean is it doesn't get in the way. Funny thing is that at the time of its original release in 1983, it was considered a fairly large watch. First version was the DW-5000; and this year marks its 40th anniversary. Today it's the smallest G-Shock available.

Reactions: 3

Nokie

· #15 · 4 mo ago

The best of all things digital wrapped up in a single watch....

Reactions: 3

Medusa

· #16 · 4 mo ago

It's everything a Swiss watch is not.

Reactions: 4

D. A. (Tony) Vader

· #17 · 4 mo ago

3

I have several DW-5600's.

All of them are LE's:

Watch Clock Watch accessory Rectangle Material property

Material property Rectangle Watch Font Electronic device

Watch Clock Wrist Rectangle Service

CASIO seems to prefer the DW-5600 for their LE's.

I expect a 40th anniversary DW-5600 this year.

See less See more

Reactions: 5

Jonathan T

· #18 · 4 mo ago

Rugged and affordable. What more could you ask in a gshock?

Reactions: 3

leadbelly2550

· #19 · 4 mo ago

the square g shocks fit a wider range of wrist sizes. I prefer the DW6900, particularly with the steel aftermarket lugs I added. enables wearing it with a normal dive strap.

Reactions: 1

M3N911

· #20 · 4 mo ago

to me its the best looking.. super practical.. the shape makes it easy to wear in more occasions than the larger Gs.. and I dont need all the fancy features the other ones have.. my choice is always for the GWB/GMW variants cuz I like the added features they have over the basic square.. but you cant go wrong with any square IMHO..

1 - 20 of 36 Posts