For Nick Kenyon, the gold never got old: after a year with the Casio G-Shock Full Metal GMW-B5000GD-9, he said he still loved wearing it, especially on warm, sunny days. But he also found it conspicuous and heavy enough to be a drawback for everyday wear. That tension—bold gold-tone styling against practical G-Shock toughness—is the real question to weigh before choosing it.
What a year of wearing it felt like
In his first-person review for Time+Tide Watches, published October 24, 2020, Nick Kenyon said the watch’s gold appearance initially made him hesitate. After wearing it on a few outings, he got used to the look and continued to enjoy it. A year later, he wrote: “One year on … I still love to wear it as often as the rest of my collection will allow me.” Read Kenyon’s one-year review.
His enthusiasm came with a qualification: this is a watch people notice. Kenyon found the gold striking, and the watch drew comments. That can be part of its appeal if you want a statement piece; if you prefer a low-key watch or dislike attention, the same quality may wear thin. This is one wearer’s account, not a survey of owners or a new hands-on assessment.
Gold-tone steel, not solid gold
The GMW-B5000GD-9 is a stainless-steel watch with gold ion plating on its case and band. Casio describes the finish as applied to the entire case and band for its color; it is not solid gold. The screw-lock case back is separately treated with diamond-like carbon (DLC) for wear resistance. That specification applies to the back, not as a durability guarantee for the gold-tone exterior. See Casio’s product specifications.
#1 Best Overall
- 20 Band Water Risistant
- Tough Solar
- Multiband 6
- G-SHOCK Connected
- Imported
One seller’s 2022 Reddit sale listing described scuffs on the bracelet and clasp after near-daily wear for a year. It is a single owner anecdote, not evidence of a typical scratch rate, coating lifespan, or gold layer wearing through. There is no basis here for predicting how long the finish will look pristine on a particular wearer.
How practical is it on the wrist?
Casio lists the watch at 49.3 × 43.2 × 13 mm and 167 g. Kenyon said it felt comfortable and well balanced on his wrist despite its weight, but he also wished for a titanium option and considered it a little heavy for daily wear. Those reactions can coexist: balance may make the mass manageable, but it does not make the watch light. Wrist size, fit, and personal tolerance for a substantial metal watch matter.
Rank #2
- Enhance your style with some seriously sophisticated timekeeping from the 5000 line
- Directly descended from the first-ever G-SHOCK , the GMW-BZ5000 carries on the evolution of function and material in a transformative, unprecedented design
- They kept the iconic form of the original G-SHOCK, while developing a new structure that extends the case all the way to the lugs to even further mitigate shock transmission
Its core specifications are those of a capable full-metal digital G-Shock: Casio lists 200-meter water resistance, Tough Solar charging, Bluetooth phone linking, Multi-Band 6 radio time calibration, mineral glass, and a solid stainless-steel bracelet. Regional product listings and availability may vary. These features explain its practical side, but they do not make the gold finish understated or remove the weight trade-off.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who is likely to enjoy the GMW-B5000GD-9?
- Consider it if you want a rugged digital watch with a deliberately bold gold-tone metal look, and you enjoy wearing something that attracts attention.
- Try it on first if weight is a concern. Its listed mass is 167 g, and even a reviewer who found it comfortable thought it was heavy for daily use.
- Look at another finish or construction if you want a quieter appearance, a lighter watch, or fewer concerns about visible scuffs on a coated exterior. The available accounts do not establish how quickly this model’s finish marks under typical use.
Kenyon’s year suggests the gold can remain enjoyable rather than becoming tiresome, but only for someone who likes the look in the first place. The practical buying question is less “Will everyone get used to the gold?” than “Do I want a conspicuous, substantial watch on my wrist often enough to live with its weight and the possibility of scuffs?”
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enhance your style with some seriously sophisticated timekeeping from the 5000 line
- Directly descended from the first-ever G-SHOCK , the GMW-BZ5000 carries on the evolution of function and material in a transformative, unprecedented design
- They kept the iconic form of the original G-SHOCK, while developing a new structure that extends the case all the way to the lugs to even further mitigate shock transmission
Rank #4
- Case size (L× W× H): 49.3 × 43.6 × 13 mm
- Customizable four display modes
Rank #3
- Take your glam-on-the-go with this G-Shock® GMW-B5000GD-9CR!
- Square face with resin, shock-resistant case.
- Stainless steel strap with double, push-button safety closure.
- CASIO's original solar-charging system converts not only sunlight but also light from fluorescent lamps and other sources into power.
- Mobile link capabilities allow wireless linking through Bluetooth® connection. Step count functionality displays step goal progress and step count graph. This digital watch features, backlight for easy reading, multi-function alarm, hourly time signal, and flash alert. Features 1/100 second stopwatch. Full, auto-calendar with 12/24-hour format. World-time functionality with 39 time zones (39 cities) and auto daylight savings update. Water resistant up to 660 feet. Display case included
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