The lost world of premium digitals

Once upon a time, before the cats invented the internet and YouTube, there was a breed of watches that dominated the high tier landscape. These were the quartz powered premium digital watches that reigned supreme, and that anyone who was someone who didn't want to step down the ladder of social status had to own. (Almost) every major brand had at least one premium digital watch in its portfolio, until quartz ceased to be expensive high tech, and the brands that survived returned to do what they did the best - which was to make and sell the same watches that they did for the past century.

Actually it's not that simple because there's plenty of new premium analog quartz watches from brands such as Grand Seiko or Citizen, some very nice ana-digi from Omega or Breitling, and they all seems to do quite well. However their digital brethren went the way of the dodo and are now extinct. Or almost gone, because there are still a few options left for those of us still craving wearing a piece of high tech from the 20th century.

The first option is to do as I did and customize a cheap AE1200 with a case kit from SKXMOD and a custom strap from Vario. The result is as premium looking as one of the models offered by Omega during 80's, with the obvious advantage that there's no need to pray that the electronic gadgetry inside will still work after 30 years. But what if CASIO had another proposition that didn't involve DIY?

It turn out that there is, but since it's camouflaging itself under the guise of a G-Shock, it may not be immediately obvious that it is in fact a premium digital. The GMW-B5000 is basically a premium digital watch stuffed inside a steel case modeled after the iconic DW-5000C and fitted to an excellent (and massive) solid steel bracelet. The first clue as to why this is not a standard G-Shock is the price which is eye watering when compared to a simple DW-5600E, or even the no less iconic but slightly more expensive GW-M5610U.

Still, it could be worse because as expensive as the GMW-B5000D is, it's nothing when compared to what is asked for a 24k gold G-D5000-9.

Therefore the B5000 is quite unique because when evaluated as a premium watch it's actually a bargain, and a rather unique one as the Master of G lineup, which is positioned above the standard G Shocks, is mostly populated with ana-digi models.

The other clues pointing to the premium nature of the GMW-B5000 are the bracelet, which is actually excellent, and a refreshing departure from the horrid plastic straps saddling the standard models.

We also have to look at the back where there's a proper screw down and DLC coated case back. This also has a proper amount of text to ensure that no one will ever get bored with a B5000.

Then there is the weight, which is very substantial in the case of the B5000, and we all know that weight=quality, right?

The case itself is the last clue, and it dispels any misguided ideas that it's just a paint job over a plastic body. It's a solid chunk of stainless steel alternating brushing on top with high polish on the "wings" and sides. It's also less resilient to impacts or scratches than a standard plastic case, and therefore the GMW-B5000D is not the best at being a G-Shock, luckily - this is not what it was created for.

And for the same reasons - it also doesn't wear at all like a standard square G-Shock. The size and general look may remind of a DW-5600E, but it's a totally different beast. It feels and behave like a solid and premium watch because this is exactly what it is.

It is the last of its breed, and since it's also (kind of) a G-Shock, its chances to survive the extinction of its kind are rather good.