Meet My New Perfect 'Beater' Watch! 

"One man's beater watch may well be another man's grail watch" - a coworker who doesn't know a lot about watches used as a beater watch an Omega Speedmaster he had got as a present. Until the watch got flooded in a pool. When the watchmaker told him it would cost about USD800 to repair the watch, he realized that maybe that wasn't the ideal beater.

20 years of service in the US Navy/Marine Corps combined as a Corpsman (Medic) and what was on my wrist?...the Budget Legend, the Beater King, Combat Tested...THE CASIO G-SHOCK! Love these things, always one in my collection for tough work / tough play. Can't recommend them enough.

“Is that all i am to you? Is that what you tell your friends about me?” - OMG 🤣🤣🤣

Ironically my 5610 is almost as valued in my collection as much as the Omega's & higher-end watches I love it. Used it to set the other watches against (Solar & atomic clock sync) Has a place in horology circles, not too big for my smaller wrist, simply the best beater. It cost more to polish a scratch out of a Rolex bracelet than to buy this watch. My official 'zombie apocalypse' watch. Can't fault it as a tool watch for the money.€100 in europe.

40 years ago a similarly designed Casio was the go to watch for all the local windsurfers. It was the only watch that you could buy that was waterproof. Unless of course you had the funds to buy a Rolex Submariner whilst you were a twenty something windsurfer! The most amusing thing about it was the on the hour beeper, for some reason it amused us all to leave it on so the evening debrief in the pub was punctuated by about a two minute burst of the short beep sequence as all our watches were marginally out of synch. I always reckon with these Casio’s they will still be working if I go over board and get recovered (possibly in a bag...). Sadly that means the good old Titanic trick of “when did they go overboard? When their watch stopped” will be no longer acceptable in the coroner’s court!

I’m not sure Jody’s impression of a beater watch is maximum cringe or maximum endearing. I quite enjoyed it so I’m going for max endearing. Never change Jody!

I would love a G-Shock and the tough solar would be perfect for me because I live in Arizona and it's always sunny. However, I can't really justify it considering I have my $12 Casio W-800H that refuses to die and does much more than I need it to. I recently modded it to have the countdown timer and I just polished the screen to make it look nice again. 100m water resistant, seems to be tough enough, nicely laid out easily legible screen.. I dig it.

Sold my Mudmaster and bought this instead. It’s all you need for a ‘go to’ watch. Sensible size and provides stealth.

Another awesome vid Jody! I used to have the original G-Shock when I was in the Army, I was stationed in West Germany and bought one in order to have for every day and field duty. It lasted me for 20 years, but once I passed it on to my son, the watch died in his hands, never underestimate the power of a teenager! Anyway, G-Shocks are great watches for everyday use in any environment.

Even though I am an automatic watch aficionado, I have the Casio GW-M5610 (very similar to the model featured here) with radio-controlled precision. I use it mainly at the weekend when cycling, to spare my Seiko SARB the potential shocks and vibrations. I love the retro styling, and the mineral crystal compliments the sharp display nicely.

What I really like about this channel is the spontaneous and unexpected humor. That beater Jody is priceless! 😃 Casio solar watches tend to be great. The rechargeable battery is rated for 10 years (at least in the 2 Casios solar powered I got). When I bought the first one, I looked for an authorized repair center to replace the battery in case it fails. It’s well over 10 years, the repair shop went out of business, other authorized opened in my region and the battery still works as new. Cassio isn’t my favorite brand but it’s my first choice when I’m going countryside, an ABC ProTrek is rugged enough.

I've got the GW-B5600 as my beater, it's my gym/manual labour/ watch and it's so good I got by brother in law one and it's become his daily wear as an electrician.

Rather new to the whole watch collection thing. Thanks - your video totally helped to get rid of buyer's remorse for me, taught me the meaning of 'beater', and confidently and proudly helped make this my very own beater watch. Thanks again! 🙏

My wife”Beats” me everytime i buy a watch!!🥊

I love this watch. Had mine nearly 5 years and it hasn’t missed a beat 😊 I paid about AUD $100 in late 2015 shipped from Singapore

I just bought them a few weeks back - you can't get them in Europe, so had to order from Japan. They are amazing! I upfraed them with a bull-bar and an explosion proof protective glass just to make them indestructable forever :) A perfect beater indeed.

I have had this for a couple of months and I love it. Although it does take a while to fully charge. Also thanks for the metal kit suggestion Jody I got a 5600e and a metal kit for a total of 200aud. Thanks

Just got my beater today and I think it's absolutely beautiful. I love practicality

I bought a gw m5610 a year ago and its the perfect watch. The battery never runs out because its solar powered, robust, has an automatic world time setting and everything else you showed in this video. Its really the only watch you will ever need.

I also have this and love it. No range anxiety from using the backlight as much as I like, in Perth it’s always on High no matter what I do.

I picked up a 5610 and I absolutely adore it -it doesn't need batteries and its always spot on accurate.

I've got a GW 2310, round with the light button at 6 o'clock, solar and atomic time. I got lug adapters and put on a gray /black Zulu. Transformed the watch, always felt I was in manacles with the resin strap. Besides my beater watch I travel with the 2310 on my wrist and a Seiko 5 SNK793 packed for formal wear. No worries about losing either.

You don’t beat it, it beats you. Bought one from Japan while on holiday when my other watch broke down. It’s so tough and reliable.

My first 5600 G died a few years ago after 18 years, basically falling apart due to years of insect repellent during travels eating it apart. Replaced it with a cheapie round G-7900 with moon & tide graphs as I'm a surfer & it turns out I actually prefer the round shape on my 7" wrist. Hopefully 18 years out of this one too & then I may go solar 😍

Beautiful iconic piece. Takes me back to my childhood. Live it.

Hello from Patagonia: I adore your videos. The light rechargeable battery lasts about 15 years and the watch has to be sent 3000 km away to a big argentina city to be replaced. The cost of the battery is the wage of working 10 to 12 hs + double shipping, this is why so many argentine watchmakers never recommend this bec we do not have to local solar replacementes, just regullar ones. Cheers!!!

Great beater. I use a dw5600..picked it up for $45 on Amazon. Nice, cheap, tough as nails, and light weight. I wear it all the time on my work outs, swimming, yard work, etc. Everyone should have one in their collection.

I just bought this watch for work based on your review. Can’t wait for it to arrive, thanks so much for the heads up on Catch. Bloody steal mate

A year later...I finally got a Casio again, after about 30 years. Got a GW-M5610 as I like the idea of a solar powered watch. This makes my 4th solar watch (Citizen, Yelang, One Eleven are the others). So, I like the concept, I like the accuracy, and I like the old school square G look, and it is SO light, while being tough as nails. One problem - too dang tiny! I know, I know, I should have tried it on first. I can only buckle it at the very last hole, or if I like it tight, the 2nd to last hole. Geeez! I have the Jays & Kays adapters & use a nato currently. I am trying to find a Casio made longer strap, but so far, no luck there. Will go to Ali Express to look around there eventually. Just wanted to give a heads up to any other would be purchasers of this tier of Casio watches - if you are blessed with larger wrists, better try it on before you buy it, or reconcile to the use of adapters and alternative straps.

HELLOOOOOOO JODY! Indeed, the perfect beater! I have the 5610 with the atomic clock sync that works well for me, but it isn't truly a needed feature. I still like to have it, but I could be happy with that 5600 with just the solar charging too. These are great watches with lots of usable features and crazy robust. Great stuff!

As an ex infantryman in the 80s & 90s, I wore the old school DW-5600. Today my field watch is…. the G-5600 almost the same as what is shown here (different backlight).

I just bought one of these yesterday. Great timing to confirm my purchase!

This is the watch I took when spending a month traveling S.E. Asia. Don’t have to worry when swimming in southern Thailand or riding a motorbike through the mountains of Laos. I am a Seiko guy, but this takes the cake for wear and forget.

Thanks for another video Jody, Isolation is bloody awful, so this helps pass the time 💯⌚

I bought a few weeks ago and I love it. It's crazy how can just a few euros watch give you so much enjoyment

I have so many watches some pricey some cheaper but out of all of them this is my favourite just so comfy can be worn in any situation I absolutely love it

Superb watch.. already 3years using it.. 1x fully charge can be for almost 1year.. love it

This model has been my everyday work beater for 10 years. I have used it and abused it under extreme conditions and it performs flawlessly. It even saved me from a serious injury once!

As others have mentioned, the GW-M5610 is my favourite 'beater'. Solar and radio controlled in a classic square all for £75 (when on offer)

Great vídeo Mate! I have my GW-5600S with a carbon fiber strap and its my watch for all the rest (sleep, beach, home work, sports...) really happy with it

I bought my first casio dw5600bb a month ago and this watch is definitely an upgrade with tough solar! Maybe i will follow ur route with metalize my 5600bb and buy this one for beater/joging time. Great review as always!

Nice review Jody. My one moan about this one is the inability to show current time and stopwatch or countdown functions concurrently. Other than that, it is nearly perfect. Is is as light as a feather and always set perfectly.👍

Have a M5610 for a couple of years and absolutely love it, like others here it takes a rightful place in my collection and gets a good bit of wrist time, delighted to see you didn't undo the full metal mod

I've bought 3 g shocks in 6 months lol. One of them was a gd350 I managed to pick up at Walmart for $20 on clearance!!! Cheapest you'll ever find a g and it's got loads of features! Vibrating alarm! Beautiful light and screen! I highly recommend it as your next g video.

I have this watch for almost a year and it's great. I am going to replace the module with the one from gshock gw-m5610, and the buckle is going away too. The look of this watch is just perfect.

Aah finally thank you... I have this one and I have been wondering why there are so few videos out on this solar power version. Love the watch, fits well even on my 7.5 inch wrist. It recently also got a big brother in the GA2100 stealth edition. Amazing watches both of them.

You should introduce that buckle to a black Sharpie and see how they get on. I’ve got a few of these and the problem with the solar is if auto light is on after being indoors a fair bit it switches to power save and the light won’t come on. I just bought a GBX-100 with the huge but always visible negative display and though it’s far from perfect I’m very happy indeed that it has a battery that’ll never stop working (for a couple of years anyway!). My perfect beater watch would be a G-Shock with clear analogue hands I can see without glasses, (please not green) tritium tubes and an acrylic crystal for dead easy scratch removal.

I love the term beater...it means I'm wearing it and using it hard, the way it's meant. I aspire to take my 20+ watches down to 2-3 watches and use all of them like beaters.

The best thing about this is that I couldn’t tell it was a tough solar until you started talking about having a lot of sun in Australia. Has the same color scheme as a normal 5600E. Usually Casio mucks up the watch face, but this looks like a factory-looking Ford Escort with a turbo under the hood.

Got this last year as my skx007 and was too good to wear as a beater for tradie work. Love it. Make sure I’m watching as it comes to life every morning when I turn the bathroom light on. Only paid $115 aud. Never picked it as an investment :-)

I’ve got a 5600E and it is not solar powered, but it is a great watch. Handsome, rugged and reliable, and holds its own in my collection of much more expensive Swiss watches. Everyone needs one of these.

I've had the regular 'square' for a few years and really like it. I even did the upgrade to the metal shell as recommended by this parish. I did think about the solar upgrade, but turned it down after trying one on. I use it for running and really like how on the stopwatch 'screen' it also still displays the time in the corner, which it doesn't on the solar one, as far as I could see.

I have this one and the red surround solar one as well. I love them and their retro look. I just ordered the dw6900 to add to my more vintage looking g shock collection.

Still looks and wears great for a watch designed in the 80's , love my 5610 (it's my picture)

Between 5610 and 9300 mudman are my choices when I purchased gshock. I chose the 9300 one because of a compass function and wearing comfort. Been my daily beater for years

Casio g shock squares.... Fantastic... I love the 5610 so much so I have three of them in different colourways... And no way beater watches I really look after them that look really smart.... All positive display... Love the multiband 6... Never have to worry about setting the watch up after the first time.... Best watches ever.....

Thanks for the enjoyable, well made vid! I'm a new watch geek and recently pulled the trigger on my second most expensive piece, the atomic clock version of this unit GW-M5610 for $98 US. Amazing value for one of the most durable, accurate, versatile, legible, worry-free watches in existence. I enjoy my Seiko 5 automatic (my most expensive) but the servicing issue makes it a disposable resource. Not good in this day and age, Seiko. It's tough to beat Casio for value and quality.

Thanks for the review! I had the battery version for years and it died on me. No one would replace the battery. After watching your video, I decided to grab this Tough Solar version. I like the additional features. Thanks for demonstrating them! My manual came in only Japanese so your video was a great help. I wish the watch had a longer after glow. 2.5 seconds would had been nice. Oh well... And I'm surprised you dont like the stainless steel buckle! I have the complete opposite opinion on it. I quite like the look! Plus as you stated, more durable ;) Anyway thanks again for the content!

Gotta agree Jody love these I wrote about these on my blog and definitely the king of beaters 😊😊👌🏻

Thi makes a good gift for a young enthusiast! Thanks V.

Saw this and just bought my first G-Shock. The basic 5600 with the negative display you reviews last year, but on a canvas zulu strap. Its a cracking watch.

Casio G-SHOCK all day long!!!! I have had a 5610 tough solar for a while, I love it! No need to replace batteries, yeeeee-ha!!!! I metal modded it (thanks to your recent vid). Love a guy who enjoys everyday, useful quartz 'beaters'.

Was looking for a new daily watch. I'm not a watch collector I only have one, an Edifice that I have had since 2006. Your video sold me and just brought one.

Jody, the solar cells are not located behind the LCD display. Rather, they surround the display: see that dark thick-lined frame that becomes noticeable as you tilt the watch. Bought one a month ago, via your Amazon list. Were surprised at how small and thin it is--as compared with my Mudman--and how well it sits on the wrist. Lovely! However, the main button was defective, so I returned it. I will venture on a new one once the refund arrives.

I recently had my father get one for his beater watch. His Casio Duro had the battery replaced and not long after, had issues with moisture inside and it up and stopped working. I decided the solar G-Shock would be a good route since he wouldn't have to worry about it being opened up. So far so good with the new G.

Part of my collection. The Auto EL is an excellent feature.

Nice! After seeing your metal G mod video, I ended up doing the same. That with a solar module is a winning formula! With negative display it's a "dark night" 😁

I’ve had one of these for a few years. Great grab and go watch

I agree with everything you said and I purchased a G-Shock GM-M5610 solar and multi band 6 so I never need to set time. For me the 99% none maintenance watch for me, but a added MFG light black metal band. I live this G-Shock. Also as always THANK YOU!!!!

Thanks for this video Sir!! I bought one of these for just under $100 US dollars. This one and the Analog/Digi Casio AQ-S800W-1BVEF are my two favorite budget beaters. The ana/digi model is also solar, but lacks the durability of a true GSHOCK however. Love them both. My wife wants me to pick between the two and return the other to Amazon. Keeping both!!!!!! PS. I also like the Casio AQS810W-1AVCF line in different colors though a bit bigger/thicker. Analog/Digi and tough at a budget price. Returned it on Amazon for the slimmer AQ-S800W-1BVEF. I guess I like my watches same as the ladies...LOL

I picked up the Solar GW-M5610BC-1JF a few years back. That one is a bit more expensive, but the combi bracelet is something else!

Finally. A proper review of this G shock. I have the exact same watch, the first G Shock I ever had.

Just picked up one, love it. Thanks mate

I absolutely love my G-Shocks! I have a Rangeman, and a GA150. Wanna add a 5610 to my collection, also wanna grab a couple to keep in a backpack and glovebox

I just got my DW5610 with Multi Band yesterday and I love it. I've also put a cage on it aswell since it will be taking a beating.

My beater watch was the GMW-5160-1 (solar + multiband) until I discovered and bought the Protrek PRW-3100YB-1CR. Was considerably less expensive earlier in the year than it is now.

Recently had the Bluetooth version myself with negative display love it 👍

I've got the radio controlled version which is very useful here in europe. I do like this watch although it isn't my favourite Casio. Two things I don't like are the pushers which are really hard to operate and the alarm signal that is too weak. But I think this is a general problem with all the diver watches, because the case is much thicker than with the standard models.

You do realise that the Bluetooth app sync's the watch to atomic time every 6 hours. As a fellow Aussie its one of the best things they have done, I can take or leave the changing settings features, but it lets the watch behave as if its got a 100% reliable atomic sync but available in Sydney. A tiny bit of smart watch convenience/accuracy without sacrificing any of the toughness or retro charm. Its nice to have a daily watch that I just never have to worry about, its always bang on, no battery changes, I even use it to set the time on my mech/autos

Think this is the first time you've looked at a watch that is the exact same model as one that I already own. Agree with everything you've said: awesome watch, everything you need (multiple alarms and world time can be v handy), nothing you don't (atomic time, Bluetooth), that's exactly the criteria that led me to buy it. Apparently it's also very slightly different dimensions from the 5600, which anyone planning a Full Metal mod might want to bear in mind.

I own two all bells and whistles GW-B's, the gold one and the all stealth one, which I've turned into a metal G-Shock after your video on it. Looks menacing! I prefer the bracelet versions, the resin strap and I never became friends.

I agree square gs are a perfect beater watch i have a g5600 model which is perfect on my field of works. And aside from that it can be modified to look like a steel g shock

Love it, they are a great watch. Thanks for that Jody 😃👍

Nice looking watch Jody. I am sorry I bought a solar one, but got the one with the negative display. It is so so hard to read. You are right. Sorry I got it. Thanks for all you do! Your videos are informative and cheery.

I just did the full titanium mod on this model. Love how it turned out. Still a bargain IMO at about $250 all in.

Watching this while wearing my new Casio W735H-1AVCF, "G-Shock lite" if you will, and only AUD$50 delivered. Haven't had a digital quartz watch since I was a little kid but wanted to add a beater to my solar quartz dress watch and mechanical everyday diver. Loving it so far.

My favourite G, a bit smaller than the DW, but makes a huge a difference for me. Didn´t notice much about visibility issues, it went unnotice for me, the LWS200(?) is the only solar I got some issues reading, but for sure not as clear as those non-solar, LED light Casio.

I really enjoy your videos and have bought a fair number of Seikos and Casios over the years. I bought this watch today, I think it will be my last watch, it is perfect, comfortable, has all the features I need and it can display dd-mm rather than mm-dd. I have a small collection of Casios, Siekos ( including an old Seiko 5 which I love), Citizens and my Dad's old Accurist which is still going after 78 years. I have given my old square G shock to my wife and promised never to buy another watch. Not sure that she believes me or I believe me come to that. Keep up the great work.

I bought this a couplr of months ago in India Solar powered for 60 dollars looks like a steal. I absolutely adore it. Great content as always Jody

I've been looking at one of these for the past few days, it's like you knew!

I have the very same watch.I didn't want the atomic time as I understand it can take 10 minutes for it to sync and since I work nights, I'm sure it'd be syncing right when I need it. It's a great watch.

I’ve just bought one of these of catch.com as well. Got it for a mate who’s just joined the army. Couldn’t think of a better watch

Love my 5610 solar/multiband. I use it with nato, great watch!

I just picked up a 5600 and it is great...though I think I may eventually mod it. Thank you for another fantastic review 😊👍

You just made my day. I could not decide between the red gw-5610rb and the black gw-m5610 - so my wife and my dauhter got me both for my birthday.

What happened to the review for that fancy looking domed sapphire crystal watch from Ali express? Think it was a reef tiger. Awesome reviews. Denver from South Africa.

Thanks for finally saying it. A certain channel referred to the rolex explorer as a daily beater. I mean, what!!? That one costs so many months salaries!

I got a G-5600 ordered a month ago still on it's way over. Can't wait!

This was my first and only g shock. I like it, I pretty much use it exclusively to set my other watches but I’ll wear it camping and such.

Was very late to the G SHOCK game ! Also with my wrist size I can’t get on with them!!!! The only ones I could potentially keep would be the 5600 range! The F91W can beat for me!;) all the best !!!