The G-Shock DW-B5600 is an affordable Bluetooth-connected model based on the original G-Shock case of the DW-5000C from 1983. The launch models include the black DW-B5600G-1, blue DW-B5600G-2, and white DW-B5600G-7. The series will be released in September in Japan, with other regions expected to follow. The tax-included price is 15,400 yen each.
Update: The DWB5600G-1, DWB5600G-2, and DWB5600G-7 are expected to be $140 each in the U.S.
Although there is already another Bluetooth-connected 5600 model with the GW-B5600, the DW-B5600 is noteworthy for being the most affordable classic square model with Bluetooth, and it has some other upgrades over the basic DW-5600 such as world time, five daily alarms, button sound disabling, adjustable date format (including six languages for the day of week), and an auto LED backlight with adjustable afterglow. The DW-B5600 is battery-powered with an approximate battery life of 3 years on a CR2016 battery. The battery life rating takes into account using the auto time adjust feature with Bluetooth (4 times per day), one alarm for 10 seconds a day, and the LED light for 1.5 seconds a day. The DW-B5600 is equipped with module 3509 (instructions at casio.com).
What does Bluetooth add to the DW-B5600?
Pairing the DW-B5600 with a smartphone and the Casio Watches app adds the following functions: automatic time adjustment, one-touch time correction (for manual connection and adjustment), phone finder (emits a loud tone on the phone when the watch successfully connects to it), world time with approximately 300 cities and home time/world time swapping, automatic summer time (DST) switching, timer settings, alarm settings, and app information receive (which displays status information from the app when the watch connects to adjust the time). As with other connected G-Shock models, Bluetooth is not required to set up or and operate the watch, and you can simply ignore the Bluetooth feature if you desire.
People who are new to G-Shock might expect a Bluetooth phone pairing to offer phone notifications on the watch, but the DW-B5600 does not have that feature like the old GB-5600 did. Some current G-Shock models with Bluetooth and the MIP LCD display offer phone notifications on the watch.
Will the DW-B5600 replace the DW-5600 completely?
We don’t know if Casio plans to completely replace the DW-5600 with the DW-B5600, but it seems unlikely, based on the outcry from fans that would probably occur. It’s likely that many people will still prefer the DW-5600 for its lower price, multi-function alarm which is different than the daily alarm (see glossary), and flash alerts. Some people also prefer the look of the EL backlight over the LED light, but in our experience, the EL backlight has longevity issues and tends to dim over time (even with a battery replacement).
DW-B5600 Pros: The watch is compact, lightweight, and comfortable. An inexpensive and worthwhile upgrade for the brand’s most iconic series. Bluetooth adds automatic time adjustment and expanded world time. Adjustable date format.
DW-B5600 Cons: No solar power. No non-inverted LCD display option for the launch models. Some people may have preferred utility style colors and standard LCD displays instead of fashion colors. The GW-B5600 with Tough Solar power and Multi-Band 6 (radio) time syncing is not much more expensive. No reminder function like the GW-B5600.
Best For: Punctual people living in areas with no Multi-Band 6 reception.
Alternatives: Similar models to the DW-B5600 include the DW-5600 and the more advanced GW-B5600, but the GW-B5600 model selection is rather limited (especially in the U.S.). For those who live in a Multi-Band 6 area (North America, U.K., parts of Europe, Japan, China) and don’t want the Bluetooth functions, there is the GW-M5610U with Multi-Band 6 and Tough Solar.
DW-B5600 Launch Models: Coming September 2022. The DW-B5600G-1, DW-B5600G-2, and DW-B5600G-7 have translucent bezels and bands that gradate from translucent near the watch to a solid color at the ends.
G-Shock DW-B5600G-1
Translucent black with red accents and red-tinted inverted LCD display.
Buy DWB5600G-1
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G-Shock DW-B5600G-2
Translucent turquoise blue with blue-tinted inverted LCD display.
Buy DWB5600G-2
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G-Shock DW-B5600G-7
Translucent white with inverted LCD display.
Buy DWB5600G-7
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DW-B5600 versus DW-5600 versus GW-B5600:
Feature | DW-B5600 | ||
Image |  |  |  |
List Price (US) | $140 | $99 (Varies, $69.95 for DW5600E-1V, usually $99-$110 for others) | $150 |
Protection | Shock Resistant | Shock Resistant | Shock Resistant |
Water Resistance | 200 Meters | 200 Meters | 200 Meters |
Size (mm) | 48.9 x 42.8 x 13.4 | 48.9 × 42.8 × 13.4 | 48.9 x 42.8 x 13.4 |
Weight (g) | 55 | 56 | 53 |
Approx. Battery Life | 3 Years | 2 Years | Solar Rechargeable |
Bluetooth | Yes | No | Yes |
Solar | No | No | Tough Solar |
Multi-Band 6 | No | No | Yes |
World Time | 38 time zones (38 cities), DST on/off, auto DST, home time swapping | No | 5 World Times, 39 time zones (39 cities+UTC), DST on/off, auto DST, home/world time city swapping |
Stopwatch | 1/100-second for first 60 minutes. 1-second after 60 minutes up to 23:59'59, with elapsed time, split time, 1st/2nd place times | 1/100-second for first 60 minutes. 1-second after 60 minutes up to 23:59'59, with elapsed time, split time, 1st/2nd place times | 1/100-second for first 60 minutes. 1-second after 60 minutes up to 23:59'59, with elapsed time, split time, 1st/2nd place times |
Timer | 24 hours, settable in seconds, minutes, and hours | 24 hours, auto-repeat, settable in seconds, minutes, and hours | 24 hours, settable in seconds, minutes, and hours |
Alarm | 5 Daily | 1 Multi-Function | 5 Daily with 1 snooze |
Hourly Time Signal | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Flash Alert | No | Yes | No |
Button Sound | On/Off | Always On | On/Off |
Light | Auto LED with 1.5 or 3-second afterglow | EL Backlight with afterglow | Full Auto LED with 2 or 4-second afterglow |
Adjustable Date Format | Yes | No | Yes |
Module |
See our Glossary for more information about features
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Casio needs to cool it with the negative displays. I think negative displays look nice and stealthy, but they prioritize form over function, which is especially bad for a tool watch.
Yeah it would have been nice to see some utility colors. Maybe later.