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Casio G-Shock GMWBZ5000 Watch Review: The Modern Metal Casio Gets A Screen Update
ArticleHands-on reviewMay 2026Ariel Adams
Mixed
A very solid, well-made full-metal G-Shock whose new MIP screen offers better contrast and a new font, but it is not a clear upgrade over LCD: shorter battery life, odd software limitations, larger wear and little added functionality.
What the review says, point by point
- Dialmixed
- Acknowledges the MIP display has a clear contrast advantage over LCD.
- Finds the legibility improvements neither obvious nor dramatic.
- Sees little use of the screen's graphical potential beyond one new font and a classic option.
- Finds it arbitrary that each model is locked into light or dark display mode.
- Case & proportionsmixed
- Considers the case among the most solid-feeling in the family.
- Likes the reengineered DLC-coated caseback.
- Accepts the recessed mineral crystal but thinks sapphire is due at this price.
- Wearabilitynegative
- Non-articulating endlinks make the watch wear larger than the lug-to-lug suggests.
- Hard to recommend for smaller wrists.
- Movementnegative
- Battery life drops to about six months, showing Casio lags its LCD module efficiency.
- Functionalitymixed
- Software matches the previous generation but adds little.
- Welcomes the auto-illumination feature and useful home-screen options like a second timezone.
- Cannot understand why the font can only be changed via the app, not on the watch.
- Finds the companion app generally handy for settings and connection.
- Finishing & buildpositive
- Describes the watch as very well-made.
- Designpositive
- Likes the ironic contrast of a precious-metal colour with an unpretentious digital screen.
- Appreciates the more adult, formal presence of the full-metal case.
- Valuemixed
- Notes the tech is pricier while not yet a game-changer, so hesitates to recommend upgrading.
- Sees the metal case detailing as offered at a relatively low price.
- Compared with
- Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000GD9: LCD sibling nearly as legible with longer battery; MIP version has better contrast, heavier.
