I then went with the GW-5600 that linked through to my iPhone which I quite liked - but I still hankered after the simplicity of the self contained GW-5000. The feature of permanent displaying the home time sacrificed the stopwatch somewhat. It still runs to a maximum of 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds, but the old module offered 1/100 of a second for the full maximum duration of the stopwatch. With the new module, 1/100 of a second is only available for the first hour (59′ 59” 99”’), thereafter the maximum accuracy is one second. For me, the permanent availability of the time in the display is way more usable. Alarms and Timer The software/functional side on 5610u and 5000u are identical. In fact all 3 watches in this comparison share the 3459 module. Synthetic resin is the ideal material for wrist straps thanks to its extremely durable and flexible properties.

In the list of 48 cities (plus UTC), three cities have been changed. Miami, Toronto, and Santiago were sacrificed, while Kathmandu, Buenos Aires, and Fernando de Noronha were added. Here the first and last are the most important because they led to the availability of two additional time zones. Katmandu lives at GMT +5 3/4 of an hour, and Fernando de Noronha at GMT -2 hours. Both time zones were not available in the old module and made the total number of different time zones grow to 31 in the new one.We’re not sure if “Speed Model Series” is the official name for this series, or if the original source gave it this name informally. We believe it is probably the latter. “Speed model” is often used in Japan to refer to a 5000 series watch, because of the DW-5600C worn by Keanu Reeves in the 1994 movie “Speed.”

So much for the software upgrades. For those not already familiar with the hardware, the standouts are: Then the new ‘U’ version came out and I bought the GW-5610U discounted to see if the changes made any real difference.

Model Comparison

For me, its great for going out for a few hours but overall the 5000u is better suited as an "all the time" watch. Or, at least as Bob Dylan once sang, “Most of the time”… Elapsed time, split time and final time are measured with 1/100-sec accuracy. The watch can measure times of up to 24 hours. If desired, the key tones can be switched off with the mode button. After switching off, there is no longer a beep when switching from one function to the next. Set alarms or countdown timers are still active after the key doors have been switched off. Other features include Tough Solar power, Multi-Band 6 automatic radio time syncing (except for G-5600UE), mineral glass, full auto calendar, 1/100-second stopwatch with split, 1st and 2nd place (1/100-second for first hour, 1-second after first hour), 5 alarms with 1 snooze, adjustable hourly time signal, power saving function, 12-24 hour format, and button tone on/off. This particular model's display varies in two ways to the other two. It has a negative, STN (Super Twisted Nematic) display. One cool feature of the negative STN display is, that in certain light angles the numerals appear to have a rainbow colouring. Quite lovely.

For athletes and all those who want to know exactly: Elapsed time, split time and end time are measured with an accuracy of hundredths of a second. The measuring capacity of the watch lasts up to 24 hours. Resin is made of synthetic resin and is the ideal material for bracelets due to its extreme durability and flexibility. The daily alarm reminds you of daily recurring events, in which an acoustic signal is emitted at the set time. In addition, a switchable alarm draws attention to the expiry of each hour. This model has five independent alarms - especially convenient for taking medication on a daily basis or keeping regular appointments. Whether in Europe, North America and Japan or in large parts of Canada, Central America and China - after the watch is set to the local time zone, it receives the corresponding radio signal and always displays the exact time. In many countries, it also sets summer and winter time on its own.

Similar products

Simply, because it is a great digital watch. In terms of time, date, world time, alarm, stopwatch and timer, the upgrade to the "u" version has fixed some of the minor issues of the previous iteration and has everything you really need unless you want to get into fitness or smartwatches. The upgraded world time features make switching between time zones a double button press away and its stealthy appearance keeps it off the radar of luxury watch theives. So, a great travel watch in other words. The time display can be set to 12- or 24-hour format. In 12-hour mode, a p is displayed for the second half of the day, i.e. 12 noon to 11:59 p.m. The world-time mode directly shows another important improvement of the new module. During the use of a second time-zone in world-time mode, the original home time of the watch remains visible in the display as well. A very useful, almost indispensable function when traveling. In the old module, the abbreviation of the chosen city remained visible (like NYC), but where you are will be something you’ll remember yourself and hasn’t to be kept in the display in my opinion. This feature, of permanent availability of the home time in the display, shows in the stopwatch and timer mode as well. Stopwatch The 5000U is sound and satisfying. Whether I'm sat at my desk, out walking, going to the store, driving, airports, desert, forest, ocean, whatever, it's wonderfully constant. You can get it wet, covered in dirt or sawdust or sand, bang it, drop it, leave it outside on the lawn all night - and it'll just keep on doing what it does flawlessly. And for those who know about watches, it has a fascinating heritage and design ethos. Individualistic. Retro chic. Tough. Bullet-proof reliability.

Home city time and world time display swap in world time mode by pressing the top two buttons (A and B) at the same time Invisible solar cells in the watch convert light into energy and supply all functions. A rechargeable battery provides the necessary capacity for operation in poor light conditions. world time settings (48 cities), 31 time zones, the additional 2 time zones are for the cities of Fernando de Noronha (-2) and Kathmandu (+5.75) Technical amendments and errors excepted. The sizes in figures do not correspond to the original sizes. Yep. Totally. Though, whilst you are technically correct, these sort of changes can double, triple, and quadruple the price of this style of watch. That is, in terms of how Casio typically places things like sapphire, titanium, STN etc in higher models. So, that kinda moves it out of the "classic square" category for me.

The ultimate G-Shock sleeper

world time settings (48 cities), 31 time zones, the additional 2 time zones are for the cities of Fernando de Noronha (-2) and Kathmandu (+5.75)All the upgrades are a positive and may be difficult to resist. Now with the light setting on 3 seconds and the brighter LED I found that could read it in the dark quite easily and the optional DD:MM format also helps legibility. You see, I like flying under the radar as far as my watches are concerned. I have no need or want to own and show off the flashiest wrist candy available. My flashiest watch is a Mr Jones Watches Nuage, which is only so because it’s immediately apparent that it’s a watch that is not for telling time. That watch is also on my special list of four, at least until I get a chance to get out to Japan and shop for a vintage Seiko to replace it as my go-to “dress” watch. Another watch I already own that’s on the list is my Seiko Alpinist SARB017, my GADA three-hander. See a trend? I do. My core watches have been or are turning out to be relatively affordable, fun, and largely Japanese (though the Nuage employs a Swiss quartz engine). That won’t be the case for the final addition to the four, though that’s a topic for another article. The button tones for using the mode button can be turned off. This means that the watch no longer beeps when switching from one function to another. Preset alarm or countdown timers remain active when the button tones are deactivated.