Casio announces full metal G-Shock GMW-BZ5000 series with MIP LCD display (GMW-BZ5000BD-1 pre-orders selling out in Japan)

On November 4, Casio Japan and other retailers started accepting pre-orders for the silver GMW-BZ5000D-1JF with inverted MIP LCD display (93,500 yen), gold ion-plated GMW-BZ5000GD-9JF (102,300 yen) with standard display, and black and gold ion-plated GMW-BZ5000BD-1JF (102,300 yen) with inverted display. Those who are interested in the black and gold GMW-BZ5000BD-1 may want to note that pre-orders have already sold out at the Casio Japan and Bic Camera websites. Although this model is not designated as a limited edition, there is always the possibility that it could be discontinued in the future. A restocking is expected in Japan but the timeframe is unknown. The GMW-BZ5000D-1, GMW-BZ5000GD-9, and GMW-BZ5000BD-1 were also announced for the Asia region and are expected to be released worldwide soon. (Based on similarly priced models, the expected but unconfirmed U.S. price for the GMW-BZ5000D-1 is $660.)

Pre-orders for the black and gold GMW-BZ5000BD-1 have been selling out in Japan.

The contrasting colors of the bezel, case, and case back are especially attractive on the GMW-BZ5000BD-1.

The GMW-BZ5000 features an MIP LCD display with two selectable font styles.

Like the GMW-B5000 series from 2018, the GMW-BZ5000 has a full stainless steel structure with a screw lock back like the original G-Shock DW-5000C, and all models are made in Japan at the Yamagata Casio mother factory. Along with the versatile MIP LCD display (with two main display font options and four timekeeping screens with world time display options) and an all-new module with Tough Solar, Multi-Band 6, and Bluetooth (with features we previously covered), the GMW-BZ5000 introduces a new case and bezel structure with an interlocking style that was designed with the assistance of AI, giving the watch a more contemporary look than the GMW-B5000’s more traditional bezel-over-case style. Another addition is the use of four front screws in the traditionally dimpled areas near the lugs. Casio does not mention if the case back is DLC-coated like the GMW-B5000 (so we’re assuming that it isn’t), and the case back has a circular brushed finish unlike the glossy finish of the GMW-B5000.

The GMW-BZ5000 measures 49.3 × 43.6 × 13 millimeters and weighs 172 grams, which is just slightly wider than the GMW-B5000 (43.2mm) and five grams heavier.

While many consider the MIP LCD display to be a major upgrade over the STN LCD of the GMW-B5000 and the higher price of the GMW-BZ5000 is somewhat negligible, the GMW-B5000 has a few advantages, such as 5 world time settings versus 2, a 2 or 4 second backlight duration versus 1.5 or 3, the reminder Bluetooth function for up to 5 important dates with an 18-character title each, and depending on one’s preference, the fact that it is more faithful to the original DW-5000C case and bezel structure.

The gold GMW-BZ5000GD-9 is the only launch model with a “positive” display, but “negative” MIP LCD displays do not present the same visibility issues as inverted TN and STN LCD displays.

View GMW-BZ5000 at casio.com/intl (Asia region site)