Casio G-Shock and the DW-5600: The Everyman Tool Watch

The classic DW-5600E-1V is the most basic G-Shock available and shares DNA with the original G, the  DW-5000C.  

If you're into watches at all, you know the Casio G-Shock series.  You also probably know the DW-5600.  Even if you're less of a watch nerd and you don't know the reference number, you'd recognize the now retro styling and thin, square case of this iconic tool watch.  It's a watch which bridges the gap between watch people and people who absolutely don't give a shit what kind of watch they have because it's been available for around $40-50 from every retailer for decades.  G-Shock durability, style, and low cost have made this the watch of choice for skinny jeans wearing hipsters, elite military units, and even astronauts.  The DW-5600e is a true tool watch you should know about, respect, and for the price, probably own.

For starters, what makes a watch a tool watch?  Is it the durability, the legibility, the comfort, or the practicality?  It's probably all of these and more.  I'll argue that other important features are attainability or replaceability.  The phrase "tool watch" gets thrown around a little too easily.  I'm unlikely to use a ten thousand dollar screwdriver because if I wreck it or lose it, I'm out for ten thousand dollars.  I'll probably use the least expensive high quality screwdriver I can find.  That screwdriver in the watch world is the DW-5600.  It does exactly what you need it to do, without fail, in arduous circumstances, for cheap and if you lose it you can head down to Walmart and get another one.

This is cool but if you're imagining some burly Navy SEAL walking around Afghanistan wearing it, you're probably wrong.  The guy is probably wearing a G-Shock. 

Case in point.  This guy sure doesn't look to be wearing a JLC or a Luminox or any of the other brands which use the SEAL name to sell stuff.  Looks like a DW-6600 to me.  

Therefore, no matter what the marketing execs tell you, the Rolex of today is not a tool watch.  The JLC Navy SEALs super alarm 10000 meter double split seconds chronograph ninja special Torneau limited edition is also certainly not a real tool watch and has probably never even been worn operationally.  If someone can produce pictures (not from a marketing campaign) of real military members wearing such watches whilst doing real military work I'll humbly edit my post.  I may be ruffling some elitist feathers, but it is what it is and in some ways the watch world needs to get real.

Let's take a quick look at what we're working with.  The most basic model of the 5600 family is the aforementioned DW-5600E-1V.  The watch features 200m water resistance, extreme shock resistance,  EL backlight, stopwatch, countdown timer, auto calendar, and 12/24 hour formats all in a fairly compact 42.8mm wide by 13.4mm tall case.  The whole things weighs only 54 grams.  This one of the best parts of the 5600 series.  Most G-Shocks, while awesome, are bulky and tall.  The 5600 is lower profile and works well with any kind of other gear you need to sport like tactical stuff or clothing.  There are dozens (probably hundreds) of variations on the 5600 style with as many features as you can imagine including solar power and atomic time keeping.

5600 in higher tech solar atomic form, the GWM-5610.  I just bought one of these and will have a photo/review post coming soon.  

Now, for proof.  The military has a long history with G-Shock, with Navy divers and SEALs grabbing them right when they came out in 1983 and often throwing their suddenly antiquated Rolex and Tudor submariners in their sock drawers (insert gasp here).  The Casio G-Shock 5600, 6600, 6900, and 9052 models have all been awarded Nato (or National) Stock Numbers (NSN) which indicate they are "standardized items of material supply" and available for military issue.  Currently, military divers attending training at Naval Dive and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) are issued the classic DW-9052-1V.  So obviously, the military is down with G-Shock.  In the interest of sticking with my 5600 theme, here are some pictures of the brave men and women of our nation's service sporting the mighty DW-5600.

And if that weren't enough, the DW-5600 is also often sported by astronauts.  If that doesn't make it cool, what would?  Astronauts as you may know are often associated with Omega watches, specifically the Speedmaster (which was worn on the moon) and the newer X-33 which seems to be often worn inside the International Space Station.  However, there's plenty of video evidence to support astronauts wearing the forty-freakin-dollar-freakin-Walmart G-Shock in the ISS.  Don't just take my word for it.  Check it out.

This is a classic case of "good enough for them, more than good enough for me".  In no other watch will you get the mix of classic and necessary functions with extreme low cost and a cool look.  If you're going for the semi-vintage real tool watch look or have need for a super durable, go anywhere watch, consider the classic G-Shock.