Casio DW-5600e VS DW-5600c which is better?

In this video I compare two iconic Casio watches.
In 1987 the DW5600c was launched. This is the watch that put Casio on the map. It's the watch that Casio finally got right after all of their previous attempts to make an affordable yet durable watch ended up with slow sales.
In 1997 when Casio Introduced the newer DW5600E allot of people didn't like the new "Resin" case design. But as I've found out it seemed like Casio was trying to manufacture the old Stainless cases as quickly as possible. The finishing is honestly very crude and sloppy with visible casting lines, marks and rough machining. The newer Resin case is basically perfectly molded. Casio also had a price drop as well. The 5600e originally sold for $48 while the DW5600C sold new for $60 to $70.
The DW5600E hit a low price of $35 back when I bought mine in 2015. It's now selling for $58 and being made in Thailand from what I can tell. Usually only mid level and higher end Casio's are made in Thailand and Japan these days.
In the comments section tell me which version you like better.

[@mattcameron9349]

For me, I prefer the E model. There is just something about it that feels right. I've even gone back from my GW5610 to the 5600E. I love the 'hourly flash' and the fact that the stopwatch facility continues to show the time in the date-window (something which they've finally gone back to and incorporated in the GW5000U)

[@RobertNES816]

The new G5600UE and GWM5610U both have the updated modules now so they also have all the improvements the new GW5000U has. I have both of those watches as well.

[@kma86]

Thanks, I needed that specific feature for my job - stopwatch & timer mode still showing current time.

[@ianmedium]

Excellent, with the calendars on the older ones there is a work around by setting it to an older year that matches the new year. I have done this on some really old LCD watches where the calendar life has expired.

[@RobertNES816]

Good to know!

[@roadgent7921]

Yes you take off 28 years from your current year

[@johnnywood8082]

I need a new case/strap for my 5600C/901. What would fit and what do I need to modify? Thanks

[@ichris2011]

Great video, one thing though you had mentioned the calendar function becoming useless after 2030, there are sites that show you comparable calendar years! For example in 2030, if you set your watch’s year to 1985, 1991, 2002, 2013, or 2019 you will get the correct calendar read out

[@RobertNES816]

Thank you. Good to know!

[@msadurski]

I like my DW-5600C (901) I was given in the middle of the 90. I like its fully metal screw-back case. The DualTime is very useful while I travel from the continent to UK and back. However its light is rather unacceptable.

[@Patrick-vv9jd]

Love your reviews may I know where you bought your Thailand made 5600e with 3229 module? I want the closest looking to the vintage 5600c like yours much thnx more power to your channel💪

[@RobertNES816]

Ebay or Amazon. They're not made in any other countries anymore.

[@Patrick-vv9jd]

@@RobertNES816 Thank you for the information

[@pigfamilykang8678]

The comparison video is very informative. DW-5600e-1v doesn't force the light off if you 'hold down' the light button?? It doesn't seem to turn off in the video

[@RobertNES816]

If you hold the light button down it'll stay on for as long as you want. When you press the light button and let go it stays on for 1.5 seconds.

[@adifirdaus528]

The casio dw5600C in alarm mode you can set the alarm (any month, any date, any month and date, or regular alarm for daily alarm) that why there is "REM" mark on lcd display

[@NEONNOONE]

Incorrect. REM (reminder) is a separate function that has its own button (left low one). Functions separately from Alarm.

[@teodormilkov2310]

For the closest alternative to 5600C, visually and functionally, which current modern model would you recommend? Ideally, solar too. Is G5600UE what I am looking for? I'm a 90s baby and "Speed" is one of my favourite movies, hence why I'm looking for the best alternative to 5600C, which still retains same/similar looks. PS. Very informative video, thank you!

[@RobertNES816]

The 5600ue is a much better watch then the 5600c in every way. But the 5600e is the closest thing to the 5600c that's available today.

[@dendynoviandana3185]

How about 5600E Fox Fire (Jdm) ? Is it same with “speed” movie closser looks ?

[@Happyland_Motel_Gamer_Cat]

I was wondering when the final input Year ends after that will the day per calendar moth be affected from each year on would?

[@RobertNES816]

Apparently the work around is to find a calendar year that has the same dates as the current year.

[@roadgent7921]

I have all of these. The modules on the older models are distinctly superior. The power load on the battery is better,the trimmer capacitor is miles better to the point of the newer 3229 being useless. More functions on older such as DUALTIME and REM. Light as you show is miles better on the new one. In the flesh the 691/901 is clearer LCD the new one is grainy but the annoying thing about the old is the piezo speaker is on the front of the module meaning the lcd is about one mm further back from the crystal which casts an annoying shadow. You can see this difference in the video. New is a bit more comfortable to wear and of course is still available to buy at 60 to 100 usd. I paid £320 (360usd) for an immaculate 5600C9 last year. Both new and older models are superb.

[@RobertNES816]

Good comparison.

[@RobertNES816]

@@Mike-kc8rl The modification is simple enough I'll make a video of it when I have time.

[@roadgent7921]

@@Mike-kc8rl the Brazil bezels were great quality but pricey. Are they definitely discontinued? If so wait for our hosts video on the E bezel technique. Have you tried "trimming" your C models?

[@RobertNES816]

@@Mike-kc8rl The battery life with cr2016 can also be 10 years if your not using the Backlight everyday or any of the features everyday. My 5600e and 6900 both lasted 8 years with the original batteries. Both batteries were still around 2.5 volts when I took them out.

[@RobertNES816]

@@Mike-kc8rl as for Casio's decision to make the 5600e with a plastic case was probably because they knew they could use the metal case as a selling point for higher end models. Or just as a way to cut costs, but like you said, if Casio decided to make a screwback version of the 5600e I to would buy it in a second. My advice is to send Casio emails and be persistent about it.

[@ricardodiaz6187]

Greetings. I just picked up a 5600c 901. Do you happen to have a modified E bezel for sale…?

[@RobertNES816]

I do not unfortunately

[@priyamganguly]

DW-5600 has multi-function alarm. But does it have the snooze feature?

[@RobertNES816]

Nope no snooze feature.

[@stinkystealthysloth]

Everyone says the GW-5000 is a modern DW-5000 but it's far closer in design to the DW-5600c... just desaturated of course, with only the subtle kick of red on the shock resist badge.

[@RobertNES816]

Yeah I think you're right. I don't see the resemblance to the DW5000 at all.

[@leanoignacio3678]

do you have a 5600C for sale?

[@wonderbreadmodelsandhistor1566]

E all day long. I have a soft spot for the C as it was my first but the E is better in all regards imho. 1...its lighter in weight. No wrist flop. 2...far superior backlight. Easier to see and no little lightbulb to burnout. 3...tougher watch. Like it or not the resign case is stronger and more shock absorbing than the old screw back. They are both awesome...but id much rather have the newer EL backlit version.

[@RobertNES816]

I recently bought an old e model with the 1545 module. The 1545 module has a sharper display then the 3229 module and a blueish EL backlight that's slightly brighter. I'm gonna have to do a video on that watch soon and compare it to the other two.

[@silveriver9]

Are there any DW5600e-1 made in Japan?

[@RobertNES816]

Some limited editions have been made in Japan. But they're not any better then the Chinese or Thailand made 5600e.

[@davidkodym6029]

As much as I like G-shocks, I want to start a wave of rants against the worsened accasibility of the ADJUSTMENT button. It only prevents the extra functions from friendly use. The chance of it being pressed by mistake is statisticaly very improbable, I recon. But many of us use stopwatch on daily bases. This ingenious out of this world secure safety almost brings me to tears with its inpracticality. Casio please! Remember the Zen master throwing some leaves back over the raked garden.

[@ScoobyPRT-10]

you can buy spare buttons from the other locations and change the Adjust button for these ones ... there are some tutotials out there

[@key2theuniverse713]

In my experience, the 5600c is far superior in build quality. Doesn't mean I don't like the 5600e and it doesn't mean it isn't tough as shit. But holy crap vintage G-Shocks when built to a whole different level.

[@RobertNES816]

Look at the current screwback squares. They blow the vintage stuff out of the water. The fit and finish is far superior.

[@key2theuniverse713]

@@RobertNES816 Ive had a few, I love the gmwb5000 it's beautiful, but I've taken 600+ gshocks apart and nothing, not even the mrg modules compare with the vintage ones

[@RobertNES816]

@@key2theuniverse713 you're comparing old tech vs new tech. New G-Shocks have allot more of the watches components incorporated into the die on the board. Plus your looking at 30 years of development and improvement. Just because you're seeing more and bigger stuff in the board doesn't necessarily mean it's better. I mean if new Casio's had longevity and qc issues you'd hear about it left and right. But the only thing I really see is people who can't read instruction manuals and don't understand why the watches adjust button is recessed lol.

[@key2theuniverse713]

@@RobertNES816 oh no no no, the whole watch has a significantly more sturdy feel, that the new watches don't have. There a lot more intricate and therefore more to go wrong. I mean I've got more broken gshocks than you'd believe. The fact is most modern gshocks I don't see lasting 40 years, whereas the vintage models I could definitely see them lasting another 40 years without a doubt. Modern gshocks are still tough as hell however, not to the reliability of the vintage ones. Trust me. Like I said I've had almost thousands of watches through my door. I'm not just saying this with no way to back it up. There's nothing on the market close to gshocks of the 80s and there hasn't been I'm almost 30 years. Also a lot of modern gshocks have faults no one seems to know about. The GW7900 and G2900 for example seriously dislike battery changes. And after 2 - 3 changes seem to die.

[@tonyaugelli1839]

are almost identical, the difference lies in the case, which has a screw system, be that as it may, the new model always has a resistance to 200 meters, furthermore Casio obliges to have standards

[@RobertNES816]

The new models also need to survive a drop from 40 feet which they do.

[@MiguelAngel-qs8wx]

Your two DW 5600C do not have the original straps and bezels, they belong to the DW 5600E.

[@RobertNES816]

You didn't watch any of my other videos lol

[@winstonbaldovino3588]

for the e handsdown for the lume

[@RobertNES816]

Yeah it's definitely game changing. However the backlight on the 5600c is actually better then the f91w. Also their are newer versions of the 5600c with a green LED that are somewhat brighter then older models.

[@tonyaugelli1839]

high construction standards whether plastics or something else, perhaps the difference is if it is made in Japan only because Casio is Japanese and therefore original from Japan.

[@RobertNES816]

I've had Japanese, Chinese and Thailand made G Shocks. I really haven't noticed a difference in build quality to be honest. If anything the newer models have better fit and finish compared to these older 5600c's. The metal cases have horrible finishing on them with extrusion lines still present and rough machining work.

[@tonyaugelli1839]

@@RobertNES816 I think that the case of the new model is acceptable, to fix it just polish it with a product for steel and I think it improves a lot, however it is a detail

[@tonyaugelli1839]

@@RobertNES816 I was saying... the important thing is that the watch is aesthetically perfect, I'm talking about the plastics...

[@RobertNES816]

@@tonyaugelli1839 the extrusion marks are deep so it'll need allot more then just a polish. But at any rate it was a watch that was mass produced. The new screwbacks are polished and coated as well so they of a much higher quality since they're manufactured at lower numbers.

[@RobertNES816]

@@tonyaugelli1839 The 5600e are basically perfect. They don't really have any manufacturing flaws.

[@nikolaradojkov969]

Cr 2320 battery in the C model has 150 mah capacity, cr 2016 in E model has 90 mah. Older model with bulb light uses much lesser energy than electro luminescent light...That is way the first model battery is rated to 7 years...

[@RobertNES816]

Both the 691 with the 2320 and 901 with the 2016 have a 7 year battery life. But the 1545 and 3229 even though they have a 2 year battery life according to Casio they'll usually last about 8 years assuming you're not using the backlight allot.

[@ChefTom777]

dw5600c is the best.. It is classic & robust... We can still get straps & bezel for it.. 5600e is plastic & like fake gshock.. 5600c is a tank.. all metal body.. 5600e screws will lose its thread because the case is made of plastic

[@RobertNES816]

Your bias is unbelievable and incredibly dated. Plastics have come a long way.

[@luisdponizio8680]

LA CALIDAD DEL CASIO DW 5600E NO ES NADA INFERIOR AL MODELO ANTERIOR C. ASI QUE NO GASTEN DINERO SIN SENTIDO Y COMPREN EL 5600 ES IGUAL O MEJOR QUE SU ANTESESOR. CON GRANDES OPCIONES DE DECORACION ETCETERA. SALUDOS!

[@RobertNES816]

@@Turmogo the case threads only strip out if you screw into the plastic in such a way that you create new threads. When screwing into plastic you're supposed to turn the screw backwards a bit until you feel the screw sunk into the old threads and then you screw into the plastic. Besides that you're likely to only use the threads two or three times which is about twenty to thirty years before they actually would strip if you just screwed into plastic without using the old threads.

[@RobertNES816]

@@Turmogo Casio could've kept the price at $70 and just updated the 5600c to the current spec as well. But I guess they wanted to upgrade and also down grade the 5600 since they have so many other gshocks available. It is what it is I guess.