Imagine making a product so great that you could still riff on it nearly 40 years later. G-SHOCK has continued to put spin after spin on 1987’s 5600 model — the second generation of its inaugural DW-5000C but with negligible differences — but without ever losing the essence of what made the design so iconic to begin with. And now, that seminal digital watch has been given arguably its biggest update in years.
MIP Replacement
The G-SHOCK 5600s can survive drops from rooftops, dive 200m deep, and run on sunlight alone. But reading them in direct sunlight or at an angle? That’s been a different story. The GW-BX5600 addresses this head-on with memory-in-pixel LCD technology — the same type you’ll find in Garmin’s smartwatches — replacing the standard STN LCD that’s been the norm for square G-SHOCKs for eons.
From our experience with Garmin’s MIP displays, the difference is immediately noticeable. Numbers are crisper, brighter, and visible from drastic angles. For the new BX5600, you can toggle between two fonts via the Casio Watches app: a larger Standard typeface with closed numbers, or the Classic seven-segment look for purists. Four different display modes let you prioritize world time, date formats, or dual time zones.
The Square Gets Smarter
Beyond the screen upgrade, the GW-BX5600 packs in Tough Solar charging, Multi-Band 6 radio calibration across six time zones, and Bluetooth connectivity for automatic time adjustment. The stopwatch now measures in 1/100-second increments for the first hour — a first for G-SHOCKs with MIP displays — and you get access to roughly 300 world time cities through the app.
Two versions are available: a positive display model with colors nodding to the original DW-5600C, and a negative display variant with a monochromatic palette. Both feature bio-based resin cases and straps, and both maintain roughly the same dimensions that have made the 5600 series so wearable with a 44.1mm diameter, 49.1mm lug-to-lug, and 13.4mm thickness.
Spec Sheet
Model: GW-BX5600-1 / GW-BX5600-1A1
Case Material: Bio-based resin
Case Size: 44.1mm
Lug-to-Lug: 49.1mm
Case Thickness: 13.4mm
Display: Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) LCD with two font options
Movement: Tough Solar with Multi-Band 6 radio calibration, Bluetooth smartphone link
Water Resistance: 200m
Stopwatch: 1/100-second (first hour), 1-second (after)
Battery Life: 6 months normal use, 22 months power-save mode
Strap: Bio-based resin
Pricing & Availability
The GW-BX5600 is available for pre-order now on Casio’s website at ¥30,800 (~$200). U.S. pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but watches should ship soon.
Recap
G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 MIP LCD Display
The G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 finally solves the legibility issues that have plagued square G-SHOCKs for decades with a new memory-in-pixel LCD that’s actually readable in sunlight and at angles. It’s the biggest upgrade to the iconic 5600 series in years, packing in Tough Solar, Bluetooth, and that crisp new display while keeping everything else that made the original a legend.
