The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The GM-5600 and DW-5600 share the square G-Shock 5600 shape, shock resistance, and a 200-meter water rating. The real differences are construction, weight, battery estimate, and price. The GM-5600-1 places a stainless-steel bezel cover over a resin case, which makes it heavier and more expensive. The DW-5600UE-1 is resin throughout, lighter, and carries a longer battery estimate. Because the family name covers many variants, the full model number matters more than the series name.
Which model fits which buyer
- Choose the GM-5600 if you want a steel bezel cover and a heavier, more substantial feel, and you accept a higher catalog price.
- Choose the DW-5600 if you want the lighter all-resin build, a longer battery estimate, and a lower starting price in the regions Casio publishes.
- Either model gives you the same core square-watch proposition: shock resistance, a 200-meter rating, and the same main feature set.
Casio describes the family in its own words as one that fans nicknamed the G-SHOCK square for its square-shaped bezel and silhouette. That silhouette is common to both models, so the decision comes down to the case construction and the figures for the specific variant.
![Casio Men's GWX-5600-1JF G-Shock G-Lide Tough Solar Radio Controlled Watch [Japan Import]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510un6cqyfL._SL160_.jpg)
Side-by-side specifications
| Specification | GM-5600-1 | DW-5600UE-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Case and bezel | Resin case with stainless-steel bezel cover | Resin case and resin bezel |
| Strap | Resin | Resin |
| Dimensions | 49.6 × 43.2 × 12.9 mm | 48.9 × 42.8 × 13.4 mm |
| Weight | 73 g | 52 g |
| Shock resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | 200 m | 200 m |
| Battery | CR2016, about 2 years (manufacturer estimate) | CR2016, about 5 years (manufacturer estimate) |
| Backlight | EL with afterglow | LED with afterglow |
| Accuracy | ±15 seconds per month (Casio figure) | ±15 seconds per month (Casio figure) |
These values come from Casio’s model pages: the GM-5600-1 product page and the DW-5600UE-1 product page on Casio India. They describe those two variants only.
What “metal” means on the GM-5600
The metal on the GM-5600-1 is the bezel cover, not the whole watch. Casio’s product description states: “The use of a resin material inside the case and a hard stainless steel material for the bezel cover creates a high-quality feel while maintaining a lightweight and comfortable fit.” The case interior and the strap are resin, so the GM is a resin watch with a steel bezel cover rather than a full-metal watch.
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#1 Best Overall
The steel cover does not make the GM more water resistant. Both cited models carry the same 200-meter rating, so the bezel choice is about look and heft, not depth performance.
Size, weight, and wearing feel
The footprints are close. The GM-5600-1 is 0.7 mm longer and 0.4 mm wider than the DW-5600UE-1, while the DW is 0.5 mm thicker. The weight gap is the larger difference: 21 g separates the two, and the GM is the heavier watch.
Rank #2
- Case size (L× W× H): 49.6 × 43.2 × 12.9 mm
Published dimensions and weight do not describe comfort. If wrist feel matters to you, try both on in a store before deciding, since a 21 g difference on a square case is noticeable to some wearers and not to others.
Battery life and backlight
Both variants use a CR2016 battery, but their battery estimates differ. Casio gives about two years for the GM-5600-1 and about five years for the DW-5600UE-1. Those are manufacturer estimates for those two variants. They are not a like-for-like test, and they should not be read as a promise that every GM or DW model lasts the same length of time.
Rank #3
- Case size (L W H): 49.6 43.2 12.9 mm
- Metal-Clad Construction: Features a stainless-steel bezel with polished hairline and mirror finishes for a sophisticated textural appearance
- Comfortable Band Design: Soft silicone band with urethane film protection on top surface for outstanding abrasion resistance and silvery vapor deposition finish on transparent urethane underside
- Vivid Red LCD Display: Contrasting red LCD screen set against sophisticated silvery design creates a futuristic urban style
- Premium Details: Stainless-steel band loop components and meticulous attention to every detail deliver a luxe look and feel
The backlight also differs. The GM-5600-1 uses EL with afterglow, and the DW-5600UE-1 uses LED with afterglow. If you use the light often, the backlight type and the battery estimate should be read together, because they are the two specifications on which the variants diverge most.
Shared features
Casio’s specifications list the same core feature set for both cited models:
Rank #4
- 1/100-second stopwatch
- 24-hour countdown timer
- Multi-function alarm and hourly signal
- Flash alert
- Full auto-calendar through 2099
- Accuracy stated at ±15 seconds per month
The only functional differences in those specifications are the backlight type and battery estimate covered above.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price: regional figures, not one market
Prices depend on country, model, and date. The table below shows the examples Casio publishes. It is not a like-for-like comparison of the two cited models.
Best Value
- Streamlined design, striking functional beauty, shock-resistant construction - a toughness-driven G-SHOCK with a monochromatic modern industrial look
- The digital GM-5600, with iconic shape and metal bezel, and the analog-digital combination GM-2100 take on an achromatic color scheme that highlights the chic beauty of simplicity and functionality
- For the GM-5600BM and GM-2100BM, black ion-plating is applied to all bezel components other than the top surface, adding depth and solidity to the bezel and amplifying the chic, unified look
| Market and source | GM-5600 | DW-5600 |
|---|---|---|
| India series starting price, Casio India 5600 Series chart | ₹13,995 | ₹4,395 |
| United States example listings, Casio US 5600/5000 Series guide | $220 to $280 across variants, with some sale pricing shown | $110 for an example DW-5600 listing |
The India figures are series starting prices, not a global MSRP. The US figures are individual listings, and some are sale prices that can change. Do not compare the India and US figures, and do not treat either as the price of the exact models discussed here unless the listing shows the same model number. In the regions Casio publishes, the GM sits well above the DW.
Quick Recap
Checks before you buy
- Confirm the full model number, such as GM-5600-1 or DW-5600UE-1, on the product page or box before comparing specifications.
- Check current availability. Casio’s international page labels the GM-5600-1 as an “Old Model,” so a retailer listing for that suffix may be stock from an earlier run rather than a current catalog item.
- Compare prices only within the same country, for the same model number, and note whether the price is a sale price.
- If you care most about light type, confirm whether the variant uses EL or LED before you buy.
- Before replacing the battery, confirm that your module takes a CR2016. Both cited specifications name that cell.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
