Choosing between a traditional digital watch and a fitness smartwatch often involves compromises. Conventional watches offer straightforward timekeeping and familiar controls, while fitness models provide heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and smartphone connectivity.
Price: $385
Where to Buy: Casio
For G-SHOCK fans who want more fitness data without trading familiar buttons for a touchscreen, the GM-H5600-9 offers a clear middle ground. It brings heart-rate tracking and activity tools to the classic square design.
The G-SQUAD model pairs a gold-tone stainless steel bezel and high-resolution MIP display with an optical heart-rate sensor and activity tracking. It builds on the DW-H5600 platform while keeping the recognizable square profile.
A gold-tone bezel changes the familiar G-SHOCK design
Casio’s square G-SHOCK design dates back to the DW-5000C introduced in 1983. The GM-H5600-9 retains its rectangular display and protective case but introduces a gold ion-plated stainless steel bezel. Four machined openings around the bezel’s corners distinguish it from conventional resin models.
The watch isn’t entirely metal. Casio combines stainless steel with resin components and uses carbon fiber-reinforced resin for the case back. This construction accommodates the additional sensors while keeping weight relatively low.
Measuring 51.5 × 44 × 16.5mm and weighing approximately 63 grams, the watch has substantial dimensions despite its modest weight. Its thickness may be noticeable for buyers accustomed to slimmer digital watches.
The strap uses bio-based resin derived partly from renewable organic materials. Casio presents this as an alternative to conventional petroleum-derived plastics, although it doesn’t establish the environmental impact of the complete watch.
Heart rate monitoring expands its fitness capabilities
The GM-H5600-9 includes an optical heart rate sensor positioned on the case back. It uses light to detect changes in blood flow, allowing the watch to estimate heart rate during supported activities.
A three-axis accelerometer measures steps and movement, supporting running, walking, and other workouts. The watch provides information about activity duration, pace, distance, and estimated energy expenditure.
Casio incorporates algorithms from Polar for training analysis, including cardio load and recovery-related information. Additional features include sleep analysis, breathing exercises, and blood oxygen measurements.
For everyday wellness tracking, these features add useful context across workouts and recovery. Blood oxygen readings are for general wellness, not medical diagnosis, as Casio notes.
A high-resolution display accommodates more information
Traditional G-SHOCK watches generally use segmented LCD displays designed for basic timekeeping. The GM-H5600-9 instead features a memory-in-pixel, or MIP, LCD capable of presenting detailed text, graphics, and activity information.
Casio also includes a Super Illuminator LED backlight with automatic activation and selectable illumination durations. Navigation relies on physical buttons, preserving the conventional G-SHOCK operating approach while requiring some familiarity with its menus.
Smartphone connectivity adds functions but not built-in GPS
The GM-H5600-9 connects to compatible smartphones through Bluetooth using the CASIO WATCHES application. Pairing enables automatic time adjustment, activity-history synchronization, watch configuration, and access to training information.
The watch also supports notifications for calls, emails, calendar events, reminders, and supported social media activity. World-time settings for approximately 300 cities are available through the application.
For running and walking, the watch estimates distance and pace using its accelerometer. Smartphone GPS data can help correct those measurements, but the GM-H5600-9 doesn’t contain an independent GPS receiver.
Buyers who want GPS-assisted distance correction therefore need a compatible smartphone. Without that connection, the watch relies on its internal motion sensor.
Solar and USB charging are both supported
The GM-H5600-9 combines USB charging with solar assistance and includes a dedicated charging cable. Solar charging helps support timekeeping, but buyers using heart-rate monitoring and connected features should plan on regular USB charging.
Casio specifies up to approximately 35 hours of operation when using activity functions with heart rate measurement, from a full charge without solar power. With heart rate monitoring disabled in basic watch mode, the stated operating time increases to approximately one month without additional solar exposure.
Power-saving mode can extend operation to approximately 11 months under Casio’s specified conditions. Actual battery life depends on sensor usage, notifications, illumination, and other settings.
Buyers who regularly record workouts should expect more frequent charging than those primarily using the watch for timekeeping.
Traditional G-SHOCK protection remains
The GM-H5600-9 retains G-SHOCK’s shock-resistant construction, along with 200-meter water resistance and mineral glass protection.
Additional functions include world time, moon data, sunrise and sunset information, a stopwatch, countdown timer, and multiple alarms. These features extend its usefulness beyond fitness tracking, particularly for travel and everyday scheduling.
However, the relatively thick case and additional charging requirements remain considerations for buyers accustomed to simpler digital watches.
Who should buy the Casio G-SHOCK GM-H5600-9?
The GM-H5600-9 makes sense for G-SHOCK fans who want heart-rate monitoring and workout data without giving up the square design or physical buttons. Its gold-tone bezel adds visual distinction, while the MIP display makes room for more detailed fitness information.
Price: $385
Where to Buy: Casio
The trade-offs are its thick case, regular charging needs when using fitness features, and lack of built-in GPS. Buyers who mainly want straightforward timekeeping may be better served by a simpler 5600-series model.
