Casio G-Shock DW-5000R watch review

Newer G-Shock devices have brought in analogue watch faces, metal, bright colours, and all sorts of flourish. However, the original variant from 1983 represents an iconic and classic look, which the new DW-5000R replicates faithfully. The octagonal watch face gets a bit of bulk and weight, and the colour scheme is exactly the same as the original model with black, white text, and red accents. 

 

 

 

 

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The watch feels a bit heavy on the wrist, but I didn’t really mind the wrist feel of it; it gives a solid feeling of sturdiness. Notably, it’s also made in Casio’s ‘mother’ factory in Yamagata, Japan, so you can expect it to last a long time and keep to its shock-resistant expectations. While Casio does different colour combinations even with its all-digital watch faces, this one sticks to the basics with the classic black digital watch font and grey background. 

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The case is made of stainless steel like the original watch, and the band and positioning of specific elements have been replicated as accurately as possible. That said, the DW-5000R is a bit larger than the original DW-5000C, and materials and functionality are modernised. This is a modern digital watch in every way, with the throwbacks limited to the aesthetics.

The display shows the time, day, and date, and there are four buttons to cycle through screens and control features. The mode button lets you cycle through the alarm, timer, and stopwatch, the adjust and start buttons let you set these functions up and use them, and the light button illuminates the display for visibility in the dark. 

Although the water resistance rating on the G-Shock DW-5000R is marked as 20 bar on the watch face, it’s worth pointing out that this is the same as 200m - the rated water resistance of the original 1983 model. This is the only major change in the look (apart from the slight difference in size), and what helps you differentiate this new variant from the original.

Casio has taken big steps in powering its watches including implementing affordable solar charging tech. However, the G-Shock DW-5000R works on old-school battery power, with the watch relying on the ubiquitous and easily-available CR2016 battery. Casio claims that you can get five years of use on a single battery, but if you use the features and illumination often then expect that to drop a fair bit. 

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Other functions and features on this watch are fairly standard for what it is. Calendar functionality is built in till 2099, you can switch between 12/24 hour time formats, set timers ranging from one second to 24 hours, and use the stopwatch with split, elapsed, and specific measured timings for first and second place. The alarm functionality has a fairly loud beeper, and the chime functionality also provides audible cues for button presses.

The Casio G-Shock DW-5000R is all about the looks, and this reimagining of the original G-Shock gets it right. It sticks to the aesthetic admirably, while modernising in the most subtle and sensible ways. More than anything, this look remains as fresh today as in 1983, and absolutely true to the G-Shock way.

What makes the Casio G-Shock DW-5000R so special is that it doesn’t even cost too much, and delivers quality design and functionality that realistically won’t let you down for years. Fans of G-Shock will definitely want to add this to their collection, but even the everyday watch user will find this to be a great pick.