This Classic Casio G-Shock Is ‘Better Than a Smart Watch,’ and It’s on Sale for Less Than $50
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The Casio G-Shock is the ultimate example of function before form — it was built with toughness in mind, and it looks the part, with reinforced edges and a design that could generously be described as chunky. But like many function-first products, it became fashionable in its own right.
By the standards of some of its hulking brethren in the G-Shock line, the DW5600E (also known as the G-Shock Quartz Watch) is practically dainty, making it a great entry point for a first-time G-Shock buyer. G-Shock watches are reasonably priced, and many can be scored for less than $100 — but they’re even better on sale. The DW5600E is just $45 on Amazon, nearly 40% off the original $75 price. The watch has over 17,000 five-star ratings, and one shopper even said it’s “better than a smart watch.” Let’s dig into why that may be.
Casio G-Shock Quartz Watch, $45 (was $75) at Amazon 
The ruggedness of G-Shock watches makes them well worth the cost, but they are also packed with useful timekeeping functions. This model features a multi-function alarm, a precise stopwatch, and a countdown timer. There’s also an automatic calendar with the weekday, month, and date. It’s also easy to read in the dark, thanks to the backlight. The watch is water resistant to 200 meters, making it suitable for recreational scuba diving.
The durability and functionality of a G-Shock make them popular with outdoor adventurers like mountain bikers and surfers. They’re something of a distraction-free smartwatch; there are no texts and emails, but the stopwatch and timer make the watch handy for workouts, while the alarm and hourly beep are useful for everything from cooking to managing time at work.
Shoppers appreciated the versatility of the watch, with one writing that it beats a smartwatch because there’s “no delay for the screen to wake up and no low battery warnings before the end of your day.” One shopper who was a cook found that it could withstand kitchen messes and that they “use the timer and stopwatch all the time since I usually have multiple things cooking at the same time.”
Shoppers also liked the watch for working out and outdoor adventures, with one writing that this would be their “kayaking, camping, swimming, mountain biking, or who knows what I’ll be doing watch.” Another shopper who wanted a workout watch but was worried it would be too bulky found that “to my surprise, the watch wasn’t as thick as I thought it’d be. It maintained a slim profile to some extent while maintaining a simplistic yet sturdy frame to withstand those harsh conditions.”
It can be tough to find products that are built to last, especially for a good price. The G-Shock DW5600E is the ideal everyday watch, and it’s just $45 right now.
