Last year, G-SHOCK celebrated its 40th anniversary with a slew of new timepieces and innovations on old classics. This included both a modernized update on the original DW-5000 from 1983 and a smartwatch version of the digital watch. Now, however, the Japanese watchmaker has decided to bless us with a standard-issue recreation of the DW-5000 that attempts to tap into what made the original so iconic to begin with.
Taking a Look Back
Prior to its 1983 debut, watch enthusiasts had never seen anything so robust and resilient. Still considered the most indestructible timepiece on the market, a standard G-SHOCK has three tenets built into its core: a guarantee that it can last 10 years on a single battery, survive a 10-meter drop, and go 100m underwater (most modern G-SHOCKs are rated to 200m).
However, not only did G-SHOCK reimagine the standard for durability but it showcased a design language that’s continued to attract wearers to this day, cementing its staying power throughout the past four decades.
G-SHOCK DW-5000R-1A Basics
Slightly more faithful of a reissue than past versions, the DW-5000R-1A looks just like the first-gen DW-5000C-1A digital watch from 1983, including a stainless steel case, screw-back case, and flat bezel. Likewise, the bezel and band are both made from resin (albeit bio-based now). One thing that’s changed, however, is the case height, bumped up to 42.3mm from 41.6mm.
On the other hand, the 48.9mm width and 13.1mm thickness are a bit smaller than current members of the 5000 family like the DW-5600 currently on the market.
Taking after the DW-5600, the DW-5000R will have a stopwatch, countdown timer, alarm, flash alert, and full auto-calendar, as well as the Super Illuminator LED backlight. However, unlike the DW-5600, the alarm and hourly time signal indicators will be on the right side of the dial instead of the left, just like the original. While the 1983 model only had a 3-year battery life, this version gets improved to 5 years like other current G-SHOCKs.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 48.9mm x 42.3mm
Case Thickness: 13.1mm
Case Material: Stainless steel with bio-resin bezel
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Quartz
Band: Bio-resin strap
Limited Edition?: No
Pricing & Availability
Despite not being limited in edition size, the DW-5000R is expected to cost $230, making it the most expensive screw-back watch in the current lineup. Currently available in the international market, the watch has yet to land on the United States G-SHOCK site. Keep an eye out.
Recap
G-SHOCK DW-5000R-1A
G-SHOCK faithfully recreates the original DW-5000C from 1983 with the DW-5000R-1A, utilizing a similar construction and dial display.
