Turns out my perfect watch was always a Casio G-Shock GW-5000 Square
My GW-5000-1JF
Basically, the GW-5000 Casio G-Shock is exactly like the Casio G-Shock watch I bought when I was 13.
Not exactly the same, but just as tough as the DW-5000C I wore Scuba diving in Hawaii as a young teen, just after receiving my Open Water Diver certification.
When I bought my GW-5000 it had a stainless-steel screw-down back and was a little heavy but it was tough-as-nails down to 200 meters (20 Bar).
During my entire diving career, I never went down deeper than 130 feet, so it's fine (while I want a Rolex Sea-Dweller more than anything, will I ever need deeper than 200 meters?).
So, 37-years-later, I ordered a very special Casio G-Shock from Japan. Its formal name is the Japan-Made Square-Case Casio G Shock GW-5000-1JF Multi-Band 6 Tough Solar watch and I bought it from Japanese-seller Premium-Japan via Amazon.
When I said that my new Japanese-made Square-faced G-Shock was different from my original DW-5000C, that's because over 35-years have passed and Casio added a number of functions to the original.
The GW-5000 I bought has both a radio so that it can sync with an atomic clock every night and a small solar panel on its face in order to recharge instead of ever needing a battery replacement.
To me, both are useful additions. Every time one replaces a battery, one risks compromising the pressure integrity of the watch. Keep her sealed.
Aside from the fancy things like the radio and solar, I really appreciate the positive LCD display.
While I thought the reverse-display on my old blacked-out G-Force square, it grew tired of it.
I really appreciate the bright, regular, display that the GW-5000 has. It also has a very nice, bright, "indigo."
Actually, I just looked it up. It's called Electroluminescence Backlight (EL). EL Backlight is a solid-state phenomenon that uses colored phosphors to generate light.
I love it.
And I also love a feature that the GW-5000 has, which I think is also shared with the GWM5610B-1, GW-S5600, and GW-5510.
Another thing they share is a cool Auto Light. Enabling Auto light will automatically turn on display illumination whenever you tilt the watch towards for face to read it—and I love that!
And I won't worry about running out of juice by abusing that feature because of the built-in solar-charging feature.
Does nobody else wear their watch sleeping? I do.
As a result, I love it when I wake up wanting to know the time and all I have to do is flop my wrist into the viewing angle (I wear my watch on my left wrist where God intended) and the bight bluish EL backlight pops on for a couple-few seconds, allowing me a quick easy time update.
Oh, finally, while my new GW-5000 doesn't support 300 cities like the G-SHOCK+ World Time in module 5413, but it does support 48 cities that I can scroll through. I set world time onto UTC.
On the other hand, I paid $245 for my Casio G-Shock GW-5000-1JF and it shares the exact same features as the popular and $82 Casio G-Shock GWM5610-1.
This wasn't a rash decision, however. I had been wearing my old reliable Casio G-Shock G-Force Military Concept watch (DW5600MS-1CR) that I converted to being able to accept a bright green faux Zulu nylon strap and a genuine Casio strap adapter item number 74243710.
It's cool and I really love it. It's more like my original DW-5000C except it has much better illumination.
Casio G-Shock GW5000 FAQ and Glossary
1. What is the Casio G-Shock GW5000? The GW5000 is a premium version of the classic G-Shock Square series, designed for durability and reliability. It features a stainless-steel screw-down back and is water-resistant up to 200 meters.
2. How does the GW5000 differ from its predecessor, the DW-5000C? While retaining the original's toughness, the GW5000 incorporates modern features like radio-sync with an atomic clock and solar charging, eliminating the need for battery replacements.
3. What is the significance of the GW5000 being a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) model? JDM models like the GW5000-1JF are made in Japan and often feature exclusive designs or functions not available in international models. They are highly sought after by collectors.
4. Why is the GW5000 considered special among G-Shock enthusiasts? Its combination of classic G-Shock Square design, advanced features (radio time-syncing, solar charging), and quality construction (e.g., stainless-steel back) set it apart as a premium option.
5. What is the difference between the GW5000 and GW5600? While both are part of the G-Shock Square series, the GW5000 is designed as a higher-end model with features like solar power and atomic timekeeping, which may not be present in all GW5600 models.
6. How does solar charging work on the GW5000? The watch face includes a small solar panel that captures light to recharge the battery, supporting its operation without the need for manual battery replacements.
7. What is the history of the G-Shock Square series? The G-Shock Square series began with the DW-5000C in 1983, introducing a durable, water-resistant watch with a distinctive square shape that became iconic for G-Shock.
8. What does "Tough Solar" mean for the GW5000? "Tough Solar" refers to Casio's solar charging technology, enabling the watch to operate on solar power, enhancing its reliability and eco-friendliness.
9. Can the GW5000 sync time automatically? Yes, the GW5000 features Multi-Band 6 technology, allowing it to automatically sync time with atomic clocks via radio signals.
10. What is the Electroluminescence Backlight (EL) on the GW5000? EL backlighting provides efficient, bright illumination of the watch display using colored phosphors, a feature appreciated for its visibility in low light.