G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 Review: Is This The Sweet Spot Square?
The G-SHOCK GW-BX5600-1A1 brings the classic square case together with a much clearer MIP display.
Hey Watchfam!
There are some watches that just make sense, aren’t there?
For me, the classic G-SHOCK square has always been one of them. It is tough, affordable, practical, easy to wear and full of that no-nonsense charm that makes G-SHOCK such a special brand. I have owned plenty of watches that cost far more than a humble resin G-SHOCK, but few offer the same feeling of “just strap it on and get on with life.”
That is why the new G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 grabbed my attention.
The version I have been wearing is the G-SHOCK GW-BX5600-1A1, also listed by some UK retailers as the GW-BX5600-1A1ER. This is the black negative display model. There is also the GW-BX5600-1, which uses a positive display with colours inspired by the original DW-5600C. Both sit within the same new MIP display 5600 Series family.
I had actually been trying to buy one for months here in the UK, but every time I checked, they seemed to be sold out. In the end, I reached out to G-SHOCK to see if I could spend some time with one, and they sent this one over for me to get to know properly.
And I’m glad they did.
Because after wearing the GW-BX5600-1A1 for a few days, I think this might be the sweet spot in the modern G-SHOCK square range.
On paper, it sounds like the square many of us have been waiting for. It keeps that familiar lightweight resin G-SHOCK feel, adds a superb MIP display, brings in Tough Solar, Multi Band 6, Bluetooth connectivity, 200 metres of water resistance and that classic shock-resistant build.
In other words, it takes the spirit of the original square and adds the modern upgrades that actually matter.
Why The G-SHOCK Square Still Matters
The older DW-5600 negative LCD display still looks great, but it is not as crisp or consistently readable as the newer GW-BX5600 MIP display.
I am a big fan of G-SHOCK as a brand.
I love the history. I love the heritage. And I love that the range is so diverse. You can buy a simple, affordable digital beater, a bold colourful limited edition, a metal square, a fitness-focused model, or something that looks like it was designed to survive being run over by a tank.
That variety is part of the fun.
If you are newer to the brand and want a broader look at why these watches have such a loyal following, my Beginner’s Introduction to G-SHOCK is a good place to start.
But for me, the king of affordable tool watches has always been the original square-style G-SHOCK. The classic DW-5600 shape is one of those designs that just works. It is simple, useful, tough and instantly recognisable.
I’ve written before about why I still think the Casio G-SHOCK DW-5600 is the king of beaters, and honestly, I still stand by that.
Over the years, I have probably owned around a dozen versions of the DW-5600 and other square G-SHOCK models. I’ve had positive displays, negative displays, different colours and special editions. And I have enjoyed every one of them.
That is the joy of the square G-SHOCK. There is almost always a version to suit your taste, your budget and your use case.
Want the cheapest classic beater? There is a square for that.
Want solar charging? There is a square for that.
Want Multi Band 6? There is a square for that.
Want Bluetooth, metal, titanium, colourful collaborations or fitness features? Yep, there are squares for those too.
So when I talk about the “square” in this review, I am not just talking about one single model. I’m talking about that wider G-SHOCK family shape. That classic rectangular form factor that has become one of the most recognisable digital watch designs ever made.
And within that family, the GW-BX5600 feels like a really interesting new chapter.
The GW-BX5600-1A1 keeps the classic square G-SHOCK feel but adds a much sharper and more legible MIP display.
Where The GW-BX5600 Sits In The Square Range
This is an important point, because it is easy to oversimplify the G-SHOCK square range.
The GW-BX5600 is not simply “a DW-5600 but with solar, Bluetooth and Multi Band 6.” That would not really be accurate, because G-SHOCK already offers square models with some or all of those features.
At the more affordable end, you have the classic DW-5600-style models. These are the no-nonsense squares. They give you the iconic look, shock resistance, 200m water resistance, stopwatch, timer, alarm and the basic functionality most people are likely to need.
And honestly, they are still brilliant.
For outright affordability, a basic DW-5600 is hard to beat. It is one of the great affordable watch designs, and I will always have a soft spot for it.
But the square range does not stop there.
You can step up into models that add Tough Solar and Multi Band 6. Then you can go further again with models that also include Bluetooth Smartphone Link, app-based setup and extra convenience features. And if you want to spend more, you can move into full-metal squares, premium materials or more fitness-focused G-SHOCK models that start edging towards smartwatch territory.
So the GW-BX5600 is not special simply because it has solar, Multi Band 6 or Bluetooth.
What makes this watch special to me is the balance.
It keeps the classic lightweight resin square feel. It keeps the practical tool watch personality. It gives you the useful modern features I actually want. And then it adds the one upgrade that makes the biggest difference every single time I look at the watch: that superb MIP display.
That is why I see the GW-BX5600 as the sweet spot in the modern G-SHOCK square range.
It is not the cheapest square. It is not the most luxurious square. It is not trying to be a smartwatch. But as an everyday resin G-SHOCK square with the right mix of durability, legibility, accuracy, convenience and price, this feels very close to perfect.
The MIP Display Is The Star Of The Show
The GBX100 G-LIDE was one of the first G-SHOCK models that really sold me on how good a MIP display could look.
For me, the display is the main reason this watch feels like such a meaningful upgrade.
The GW-BX5600 uses a Memory in Pixel LCD, often shortened to MIP display. If you have worn older digital G-SHOCK models, especially negative display versions, you will know why this matters.
My personal preference has often been for negative display G-SHOCKs. I like the look. They feel cleaner, stealthier and more modern on wrist.
But the older negative display DW-5600 models could be a bit hit and miss.
Sometimes they were clear. Other times, depending on the light and angle, they could become awkward to read. You would end up doing that familiar little wrist tilt, trying to catch the light properly. We have all been there, haven’t we?
That is not really the case here.
In bright light, poor indoor light and every normal lighting condition I have experienced while wearing the GW-BX5600-1A1, the display has been easy to read. Not just acceptable. Actually easy.
It is crisp, clear and a big leap ahead of the standard negative display DW-5600 models I have owned in the past.
The best way I can describe it is this: it feels like moving from an old Nokia phone screen to an early iPhone screen.
That might sound dramatic, but the difference is that noticeable. The MIP display gives the watch a sharpness and clarity that makes the whole thing feel more modern.
I had a similar reaction when I reviewed the Casio G-SHOCK GBX100 G-LIDE. That watch also had a MIP display, and it really opened my eyes to how good this screen technology could be on a digital G-SHOCK.
The GBX100 was a fantastic watch. It was feature-rich, useful and had that brilliant crisp display. But for me, it did not quite have the classic square form factor I love so much.
That is where the GW-BX5600 gets it right.
It brings that excellent MIP display into a watch that feels much closer to the traditional square G-SHOCK I already know and love.
The GW-BX5600-1A1 keeps that familiar resin square G-SHOCK feel, but the sharper MIP display makes it feel much more modern.
A Classic G-SHOCK Feel, Just Sharper
Design-wise, the GW-BX5600-1A1 still feels like a proper G-SHOCK square.
And I mean that as a compliment.
Sometimes when brands modernise a classic, they go too far. They make it too big, too complicated, too flashy or too far removed from what made the original good in the first place.
G-SHOCK has avoided that here.
The BX5600 still has that familiar rectangular case, protective bezel, resin strap and tough digital watch personality. It is not trying to look luxurious. It is not trying to be clever for the sake of it. It still feels like a watch you can wear hard without worrying about it.
But it does feel sharper.
The all-black negative display version has a clean, stealthy look that suits the watch perfectly. It feels modern, but not overdone. It still has the character of a classic square, just with a slightly more polished edge.
It is a bit like meeting an old friend you know and love, but you haven’t seen them for six months and they have been on a health kick. Same person, same humour, same old stories, but they look sharper, cleaner and ready to head out.
That is the GW-BX5600-1A1.
Familiar, but improved.
On Wrist: Lightweight, Comfortable And Very G-SHOCK
On my just-over-7-inch wrist, the GW-BX5600-1A1 wears light, comfortable and very much like a classic square G-SHOCK.
On my just-over-7-inch wrist, the GW-BX5600-1A1 wears exactly how I want a square G-SHOCK to wear.
The official case size is 49.1mm × 44.1mm × 13.4mm, and the watch weighs just 51g. So although the measurements might sound quite broad on paper, it wears light, flat and easy.
That is one of the biggest reasons I like this style of G-SHOCK so much.
It does not ask much of you. You strap it on and forget about it. It is comfortable enough for all-day wear, tough enough for proper use and light enough that it never feels like a burden.
The resin strap feels familiar if you have worn a 5600-style G-SHOCK before. It is practical rather than luxurious, which is exactly what I want from this type of watch. It bends easily, sits comfortably and suits the character of the case.
The buttons feel much like a normal square G-SHOCK too. They are not huge, and some people may find them a little small or fiddly, but that has never really bothered me personally. They are tucked away enough to avoid accidental presses, and once you are used to G-SHOCK squares, it all feels very normal.
And because this model has Bluetooth setup through the CASIO WATCHES app, you do have another option if you don't fancy fiddling around with the buttons.
That is a nice touch.
Tough Solar And Multi Band 6 Make It A Proper Set-And-Forget Watch
The GW-BX5600-1A1 keeps the familiar lightweight square G-SHOCK design while adding Tough Solar, Multi Band 6, Bluetooth and a clearer MIP display.
This is where the GW-BX5600-1A1 becomes such a strong everyday tool watch.
It has Tough Solar, so it charges using light. It has Multi Band 6, so it can receive radio time calibration signals in supported regions. It also has Bluetooth time adjustment, which gives you another way to keep everything accurate and easy to manage.
Now, I love mechanical watches. I love the charm, the engineering and the whole ritual of wearing them.
But there is something deeply satisfying about a G-SHOCK that just works.
You put it on. It is accurate. It is charged. It is tough. It is ready.
That is the appeal here.
The original DW-5600 already gives you a fantastic basic tool watch. But when you add solar charging, radio-controlled timekeeping, Bluetooth and that MIP display, the BX5600 feels like a more complete modern version of the same idea.
This is the sort of watch you can set up, wear and not think about for years.
And I really like that.
Bluetooth: Useful, Even If You Don’t Use It Every Day
The GW-BX5600-1A1 connects to the CASIO WATCHES app via Bluetooth.
Through the app, you can manage settings more easily, use automatic time adjustment, access world time features, use phone finder and generally avoid doing everything through the physical buttons.
For some people, that will be a big part of the appeal.
I found the same kind of useful, low-effort convenience when I spent time with the G-SHOCK GA-B2100 series, which also brought solar and Bluetooth into a really wearable modern G-SHOCK package.
For me, I’ll be honest, it is not something I use all the time. Other than the odd trip abroad, I do not often need to adjust world time settings or change loads of options.
But I still like having it.
It is a bit like owning a dive watch with serious water resistance. Am I going to take it to the bottom of the ocean? No. Am I still glad the watch has that capability? Absolutely.
Bluetooth on the BX5600 feels the same. I might not use it every day, but I like knowing it is there. And if you do dislike setting digital watches manually, it makes life much easier.
That is the beauty of this watch. The features are there when you need them, but they do not get in the way when you don’t.
The GW-BX5600-1A1 feels light, tough and easy to wear, exactly what I want from an everyday G-SHOCK square.
GW-BX5600 Vs DW-5600: Which One Should You Buy?
The DW-5600 is still the affordability king.
If you want the cheapest way into the classic square G-SHOCK shape, it remains a fantastic choice. You get the look, the toughness, the 200m water resistance and most of the core functions people actually need.
There is a reason the DW-5600 has been loved for so long.
But the GW-BX5600 offers a different kind of value.
It is not trying to be the cheapest square. It is trying to be a more complete square.
The MIP display is a huge upgrade. Tough Solar makes ownership easier. Multi Band 6 keeps things accurate. Bluetooth makes setup simpler. The bio-based resin is a nice modern touch. And the whole thing still wears like a lightweight G-SHOCK square should.
So I would put it like this.
If you simply want a cheap, classic, no-nonsense G-SHOCK, the DW-5600 still makes loads of sense.
If you already own a DW-5600 and you are happy with it, you do not need to throw it in a drawer and panic-buy this one.
But if you are looking for one square G-SHOCK to do almost everything, and you want the best balance of price, features and daily usability, the GW-BX5600 is the one I would recommend.
GW-BX5600 Vs Other Premium Squares
Full-metal G-SHOCK squares bring a more premium feel, but they are a different wearing experience to the lightweight resin GW-BX5600.
This is where the BX5600 becomes even more interesting.
As I mentioned earlier, there are other square G-SHOCK models with Tough Solar, Multi Band 6 and Bluetooth. So if you want those features but do not care about the MIP display, you do have options.
Then above those, you have the full-metal squares. These are brilliant in their own right, but they are a different thing. They are heavier, more expensive and have a more premium feel. I like them, but they do not give me the same carefree resin G-SHOCK energy.
The same broader point applies across the G-SHOCK range too. I loved the added metal character of the G-SHOCK GM-2100 Steel CasiOak, and the G-SHOCK GM-2110D shows how much more premium and jewellery-like the metal-covered 2100 family can feel. But that is a different kind of G-SHOCK experience.
Then you have models like the DW-H5600, which take the square-ish G-SHOCK idea into a more fitness-focused space with heart-rate tracking and workout features. Again, that will be perfect for some people, but it starts to move away from the simple everyday tool watch feeling I personally enjoy.
That is why the GW-BX5600 lands so well for me.
It does not go too basic. It does not go too premium. It does not go too smartwatch.
It just feels like the best version of the traditional resin square idea.
And that is exactly what I wanted it to be.
The MIP Display Is The Upgrade You Notice Every Day
Solar charging is useful.
Multi Band 6 is brilliant.
Bluetooth is handy.
But the display is the thing that changes your experience every single time you glance at the watch.
That is why I think the GW-BX5600 justifies its place in the square range. It does not feel like a spec-sheet upgrade for the sake of it. It feels genuinely better in daily use.
With older negative display G-SHOCKs, I always accepted the trade-off. I liked the stealthy look, so I put up with the occasional readability issue.
With this one, I do not feel like I am putting up with anything.
The display looks cool and remains readable. That is the win.
And for a digital tool watch, legibility matters. A lot.
The GW-BX5600-1A1 keeps the classic black resin square look but adds the crisp MIP display that makes it feel like a real modern upgrade.
The Bio-Based Resin Case And Strap
Casio has used bio-based resin for key resin components in the case, bezel and band.
I like seeing this direction from G-SHOCK. The brand makes a huge number of watches, so if it can use materials intended to reduce environmental impact without compromising the toughness and wearability we expect, that feels like a sensible move.
On wrist, it still feels like a proper resin G-SHOCK.
It does not feel odd, delicate or overly different. It still has that familiar light, practical and slightly utilitarian feel. And for this watch, that is exactly what I want.
A G-SHOCK should feel like a G-SHOCK.
This does.
What I Don’t Like
There is very little I would change about the GW-BX5600-1A1.
But if I am being picky, there are two small things.
The first is the backlight. The MIP display itself is excellent, but when I tested the light in darker conditions, I did find it a little weak. It is usable, and it would not put me off the watch, but I would have liked it to be a touch stronger.
The second is the crystal.
This watch uses mineral glass, which is completely normal for G-SHOCK models at this price point. And to be fair, I have never had a real issue with mineral glass on any of my G-SHOCK watches.
They are tough watches. They are made to be worn. I do not baby them.
But still, sapphire would have been the final icing on the cake.
I understand why Casio has not done it here. The price is very competitive for the feature set, and adding sapphire would likely push it higher.
So neither of these are deal-breakers. Not even close.
They are just my two little niggles on what is otherwise a fantastic G-SHOCK square.
G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 Specifications
Model family: G-SHOCK GW-BX5600
Model reviewed: G-SHOCK GW-BX5600-1A1 / GW-BX5600-1A1ER
Display version reviewed: Negative display
Other version: GW-BX5600-1 positive display
Price: £159 / approximately $213
Case size: 49.1mm × 44.1mm × 13.4mm
Weight: 51g
Case and bezel material: Resin / bio-based resin
Band: Bio-based resin band
Construction: Shock Resistant
Water resistance: 200 metres / 20 bar
Glass: Mineral glass
Display: Memory in Pixel LCD
Power: Tough Solar
Time adjustment: Multi Band 6 radio-controlled timekeeping and Bluetooth Smartphone Link
App: CASIO WATCHES
World time: 38 time zones, 55 cities plus UTC
Stopwatch: 1/100-second stopwatch
Timer: 24-hour countdown timer
Alarms: 5 daily alarms, including 1 snooze alarm
Light: LED backlight with full auto light and afterglow
Calendar: Full auto-calendar to the year 2099
Other features: 12/24-hour format, mute function, power saving, low battery alert, phone finder
Compatible band size: 145mm to 205mm
Country of origin: Thailand
Is The G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 Good Value?
Yes, I think it is excellent value.
But the reason is not simply “it has more features than a basic DW-5600.”
The real reason is that it hits such a good balance.
The DW-5600 remains the affordable legend. Other squares add solar, Multi Band 6 and Bluetooth. Full-metal squares add a more premium feel. Fitness-focused models add more connected health features.
But the GW-BX5600 sits right in the middle of all that.
It gives you the classic resin square feel, the key modern convenience features and the upgraded MIP display, all while keeping the price sensible.
That is why it feels like the sweet spot to me.
It is still recognisably a G-SHOCK tool watch. It is still lightweight. It is still tough. It is still easy to wear. But it now has the screen this type of watch deserves.
At £159, or around $213, I do not see it as expensive for what you are getting.
In fact, as tool watches and beater watches go, this is now right at the top of my personal list.
Who Is The GW-BX5600 For?
The GW-BX5600 is ideal if you want a proper everyday G-SHOCK square that feels classic but not basic.
It makes a lot of sense if you love the shape of the DW-5600 but want better legibility, solar charging, radio-controlled accuracy and easier setup through Bluetooth.
The positive display GW-BX5600-1 will probably appeal if you prefer a more traditional digital display look, while the negative display GW-BX5600-1A1 is the one I would choose if you want that darker, cleaner and more understated style.
It is also a great choice if you want a watch for work, travel, gym sessions, DIY, holidays, family life or just general everyday wear.
This is not a flashy watch.
It is not trying to be luxury.
It is not trying to replace your smartwatch.
It is just a tough, useful, comfortable digital watch that does nearly everything I want a G-SHOCK square to do.
And that is exactly why I like it so much.
Final Thoughts: The Sweet Spot Square
The G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 feels like the square G-SHOCK formula reaching a really lovely point of balance.
It still has the spirit of the original DW-5600. It is tough, lightweight, comfortable, affordable and easy to live with. It still feels like a proper G-SHOCK tool watch, not a gadget pretending to be one.
But it also feels ready for the next chapter.
The MIP display is a huge upgrade in real-world use. Tough Solar makes it easy to live with. Multi Band 6 keeps it accurate. Bluetooth makes setup easier if you want to use it. And the familiar resin square case keeps the whole thing practical and wearable.
For outright affordability, the DW-5600 is still hard to beat.
But if someone asked me which square G-SHOCK I would recommend as the best all-rounder, this would now be the one.
The GW-BX5600 sits in that perfect middle ground. More capable than the basic models, more wearable and affordable than the premium metal squares, and more traditional than the fitness-focused models.
It is the classic square G-SHOCK idea, sharpened up with the one upgrade I think makes the biggest everyday difference.
A DW-5600 for a new generation?
Yeah, I think that is exactly what this is.
And honestly, after trying the GW-BX5600-1A1, I don’t think I want to buy one anymore.
I think I want both versions.
You May Also Like
If you enjoyed this review, you might also like my Casio G-SHOCK DW-5600 review, where I look at why the classic square remains one of the best affordable beater watches ever made.
You can also read my Casio G-SHOCK GBX100 G-LIDE review, which explores another brilliant G-SHOCK with a MIP display.
If you are newer to the brand, my Beginner’s Introduction to G-SHOCK is a great place to start.
For more G-SHOCK reading, have a look at my G-SHOCK GA-2100 review, my G-SHOCK GA-B2100 series review, and my G-SHOCK GM-2100 Steel CasiOak review.
You might also enjoy my G-SHOCK GM-2110D explained article, my G-SHOCK GD-B500-7ER vs GA-2100 comparison, and my G-SHOCK x The Mandalorian and Grogu hands-on article.
And if you like the idea of modifying G-SHOCKs, my G-SHOCK GA-2100 steel mod review is worth a read too.
G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 FAQ
What is the difference between the G-SHOCK GW-BX5600-1 and GW-BX5600-1A1?
The GW-BX5600-1 is the positive display version, while the GW-BX5600-1A1 is the black negative display version reviewed here. Both share the same core feature set, including the MIP display, Tough Solar, Multi Band 6, Bluetooth Smartphone Link and 200 metres of water resistance.
Is the G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 better than the DW-5600?
It depends what you want. The DW-5600 is still the more affordable classic and remains a brilliant watch. But the GW-BX5600 adds a clearer MIP display, Tough Solar, Multi Band 6 and Bluetooth connectivity, which makes it feel like a more complete modern square G-SHOCK.
Does the GW-BX5600 have a MIP display?
Yes, the GW-BX5600 uses a Memory in Pixel LCD. In real-world use, I found it much clearer and easier to read than older negative display DW-5600 models I have owned.
Is the negative display easy to read on the GW-BX5600-1A1?
In my experience, yes. I wore the GW-BX5600-1A1 in bright light, poor indoor light and normal daily conditions, and the display remained easy to read. It is a big improvement over older negative display G-SHOCK models.
Is the backlight good on the GW-BX5600-1A1?
The backlight is usable, but I did find it a little weak in darker conditions. It is not a major issue for me because the MIP display itself is so readable in normal lighting, but I would have liked the light to be slightly stronger.
Does the GW-BX5600 have Tough Solar?
Yes, the GW-BX5600 has Tough Solar, so it charges using light. This makes it a very low-maintenance watch for everyday wear.
Does the GW-BX5600 have Multi Band 6?
Yes, the GW-BX5600 has Multi Band 6 radio-controlled timekeeping. This helps keep the watch accurate by receiving time calibration signals in supported regions.
Does the GW-BX5600 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the GW-BX5600 connects to the CASIO WATCHES app via Bluetooth. This allows for easier setup, automatic time adjustment, world time features and phone finder functionality.
Is the GW-BX5600 a smartwatch?
No, I would not class this as a smartwatch. It has Bluetooth connectivity and app support, but it still feels like a traditional G-SHOCK digital tool watch. If you want fitness tracking and heart-rate features, models like the DW-H5600 sit closer to that smartwatch-style space.
Is the G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 water resistant?
Yes, the GW-BX5600 has 200 metres of water resistance, which is exactly what I would expect from a proper G-SHOCK tool watch.
Does the GW-BX5600 have sapphire crystal?
No, the GW-BX5600 uses mineral glass. I would have loved sapphire, but at this price point, mineral glass is not unusual for G-SHOCK.
Is the G-SHOCK GW-BX5600 worth buying?
Yes, I think it is excellent value. If you want the cheapest square G-SHOCK, the DW-5600 still makes loads of sense. But if you want one modern resin square with a superb MIP display, Tough Solar, Multi Band 6 and Bluetooth, the GW-BX5600 is very easy to recommend.