G-ShockG-Shock GW-5000U-1JF [20 ATM Water Resistant Solar Radio Wave GW-5000 Series] Shipped from Japan

I was initially turned onto this watch by a YouTube review that seemingly popped up at random on my feed. Being a modest G-Shock fan (owning half a dozen already over the many years), I gave the review a look-see. The video was very well done, and practically a travel log. That alone was not enough to persuade me, as I have an education in marketing, so ads that "sell the sizzle and not the steak" do little to garner my interest in a product. Here's what did, though, and the reason I bought something that so pricy, yet understated.The 5000U is pattered in the classic square-face design of the G-Shocks of old, but is sufficiently modern for my tastes. No, it doesn't connect via Bluetooth to your phone like the 7000 series, nor does it have the crisp TIFF display like the H1000, nor does it show tide and moon info like the Rescue or Frogman series, nor does it display your altitude and bearing like a Rangeman. No, the 5000U offers Multichannel 6 radio atomic time keeping, solar tough charging, and the usual assortment of features you'd expect on a digital G-Shock, including a 20-Bar water resistance.So what makes it so special? What justifies it being $100+ more expensive than the average G-Shock with the same features? The answer to those questions are Construction and Understated Style.Most G-Shock watches are made with a plastic core. While still very durable and more than tough enough to be run over by a commercial truck, the 5000U was made with a steel core making it even more so durrable. What's more, being made in Japan, the 5000U features a steel screw-down back to the casing, as opposed to being a thin sheet of metal attached with for tiny screws. Not only is this indicative of quality the likes of which you only see in premium luxury watches (which are decidedly NOT G-Shock tough), but the feature greatly improves the watch's durability while adding only a sliver of thickness.The steel core is wrapped in an outter shell and band of silicone. Not only does this lend to the subtle appearance of the watch, but makes the 5000U remarkably comfortable to wear all day long. Truly, I tell you, this is the most comfortable G-Shock I've ever worn, it may well be the most comfortable watch I've ever owned!While it's true that the person sitting next to you may never guess this degree of superior craftsmanship is sitting on your wrist, nor will anyone be impressed with its flashy bling -- that's sort of the point! The 5000U bears a deliberately understated style of its own. Not standing out like a gaudy peacock should be considered a selling point, not a detractor. Wearing a 5000U gives you an air of mature modesty, yet you still retain the confidence and knowledge you possess a superior timekeeper. The skeeby, sketchy guy next to you by the bus stop or subway won't look at your watch and wonder how much he can get for it at the hock shop. It doesn't mark you was a person with a surplus of cash in your wallet. And the 5000U doesn't make you worry about scuffing up your pretty, overpriced piece of timekeeping jewelry, thus freeing you to be the devil-may-care man that you truly are... potentially, anyhow.True to it's G-Shock heritage, this is a watch for men who want some more dependable, through thick and thin. Something practical, accurate, and devil-dog tough; yet made with superior craftsmanship and care.If I had a complaint about the 5000U, it would be that the buttons are on the small side. Pressing the light button in the dark could be quicker and easier task with either bigger buttons or a dedicated light button. Even so, I have large hands, and once you get a feel for the controls, it's not enough of an inconvenience to warrant switching to another watch.

This is THE premium classic G-Shock, arguably the perfect square G-shock in form and function. I recommend it IF price is a second concern to quality. The feature set on this watch (5000 series) is near identical to the 5610 series, and visually similar to the low end 5610. Those cheaper models fulfill the functions and visual appearance, but the case and strap quality set the bar on this watch. At a MSRP of $300 that’s about the highest I’d consider paying for this model, anything higher than that and the metal models or special editions of other plastic models become competitive. The reason to get this watch is the refined simplicity of it. It’s not metal, its really high-quality plastic. It has the broadest basic features one could need. I’ll expand on two that I appreciate, multi band 6 is radio synchronized clock setting (as a user you don’t have to do anything, it’s all pre-programmed). This sets the precision of the watch to match “internet time” within a second. My use case is conference calls which generally start exactly on time. I can be away from my desk and know my watch is the “right” time down to the second. The second feature is world time, initially I thought this was a superfluous feature but it’s actually been very handy. The ability to show local time and home time on the same screen makes travel and communication much easier. This is the highest end gshock before Bluetooth and other complications get thrown in the mix. I personally have zero desire to have a Bluetooth gshock and actively avoid it on other models. At this price point I’m happy, I wish the display featured sapphire glass which would have made this edition perfect in my eyes. Casio reserves that for their luxury models and those start at well over $1000 so it’s unlikely it’ll make it to this model.

Made in japan, and you can really feel the quality. the battery seems like it can't be stopped, and I've had no issues with durability—it doesn’t scratch at all. the beautiful back piece adds a nice touch, and the weight feels just right. it even automatically adjusts the time, which is super convenient. overall, it's the perfect watch.

If your thinking of purchasing a Casio gshok then do yourself a favor and buy the Japanese market ones such as this 5000 model, better more supple rubber for the watch instead of the uncomfortable plastic resin they use for the bands on the 5610 US market models, round screw in case back that’s DLC plated, even the buckle and buttons are DLC plated, if you have a nickel allergy like I do this watch will not cause a skin reaction, mature grey and white printing on face instead of the ugly crayon colors on the us 5610 model, more weight to watch and case back being a little taller helps wrist presence, screen is clearer and doesn’t have the slight greenish tint that the 5610 us model has. Only con is the price at twice or more the price of the inferior 5610 this should be the one you buy, no disappoints, only superior Japanese quality, best tip when buying Japanese watches (Casio, citizen, seiko, orient) always research their Japanese market watches first as the Japanese watch buying consumer market is very demanding of quality first and foremost so you will always get the highest quality watch for the money and even some features, colors and models that aren’t offered on models meant for the US market. If you want Casio’s classy analog watch face equivalent to this watch look up casio’s model line called Oceanus, they are poor man’s grand seiko watches imho, the s100 and t200 in particular are nice.