G-ShockCasio Men's GW-M5610-1BJF G-Shock Solar Digital Multi Band 6 Black Watch

Great watch! I will have this for years. I researched watches for awhile before buying this one and it’s been great. It’s simple enough but have all the features I want. Would buy again!

This is infamous Casio square, the very first G-Shock that started it all back in 1983. The 5610 continues that lineage, keeping the same classic square shape and offers one of the slimmest profiles of any G-Shock models today. Because of its classic timeless shape, its perfect for work or recreation, and doesn't look out of place in any occasion, even with a suit. This watch is perfect for anyone looking for a timepiece that's simple and unobtrusive. I would recommend this model as the first for anyone looking to start dipping their toes in the G-Shock world.This particular model is the 5610U (at least, the one I received from Amazon). The "U" is the updated model, I believe released in 2022, offering an upgraded LED light amongst other enhancements. What's great about this watch is that you essentially don't really need to do anything to it once you set it up. The Multi-Band 6 automatic radio time syncing syncs with the atomic clock signal put out in Fort Collins (in US) so you'll get the most accurate reading as long as you set up your home city. The watch syncs up nightly as long as you place it near a window. Other functions the watch has includes stopwatch, countdown timers, alarms, and world time (48 cities with 5 customizable city settings). This model also features power saving function where the watch turns off if left in the dark for a while, making it last even longer.Oh yeah, did I mention that its solar powered? As long as the watch gets to see some sun here and there, it will never run out of batteries. It doesn't even need to be directly in the sun, it works with any light source. Its essentially a set it and forget it watch. Never need to set the time and never need to swap or charge the battery. This is a watch that's designed and made to withstand any type of destruction or disaster. Who needs a smart watch?NOTE: Even though Amazon lists this watch as the "Japan" model (1BJF), it is NOT. This is actually the international model (1BJF) which may deter some purists looking for the "Made in Japan" printed on the underside. As far as I can tell, there are no noticeable differences in style or functionality except for where its made (international models are made in Thailand). Just something to keep in mind.

I had a really hard time deciding between this watch and the identical version with the regular screen. There are tons of youtube videos and pictures on the internet that try to describe the effectiveness and visibility of the inverted display, but cameras can be tricky. I wanted to offer my detailed experience of this watches inverted display. I will not be talking about the watches functions, for that you can reas the ~400 reviews on the other watch that is identical to this one, but with a regular display. I will say that the watch functions flawlessly.I bought this watch because I wanted the inverted display for style reasons and I thought that there were enough people online saying that the watch was easy enough to read. I though that the people who were reviewing the watch as not easy to read maybe had bad vision. But I was shocked at how dim the display actually is, (let me explain, I love this watch). When I first got it I was planning on returning it, Amazon has free returns, because it was SO dim. Like surprisingly dim. However, after using it for a few weeks I have found that there are practically no light situations in which I cannot read it. Let me explain.I broad daylight, or outside shadows, or a rainy day the watch is as clear as the picture on amazon. perfectly easy to read, just as any other watch at any reasonable angle of viewing. Indoors, in well lit situations, with a light overhead or a light nearby it is just as easy to read, not quite as clear as the picture, but it will be still extremely clear in these situations from any angle, have no doubt about this. However, in dim indoor lights, such as a romantic restaurant or a dimly lit cafe, or a room with a lamp in the corner the display is slightly less visible; the display in these situations can still be VERY easily read but it requires you to view the display straight on. It seems like the way the display works the numbers are dimmer when viewed at an angle in low light situations, but can still easily be read. Some situations where this watch cannot be read are at night outside with not much ambient light, or say you are indoors at night and in a room with no light on but you can still see because there is ambient light from a lamp in a different room you will not be able to read this watch. I have also found that if you cannot make out small print text on paper in your lighting situation then you will not be able to read this watch.However, why do I love this watch even when it sometimes cannot be read? Because of the auto EL feature. If you place the watch at a 0 degree angle and then turn the watch 40 degrees the watch face will light up, but only in low enough light situations, so it doesn't ruin the battery. This feature makes the watch to be able to be read in all light situations. Also, it is really well calibrated, much better than most smart watches these days; the watch will not come on with random shaking or while working with your hands, but only a very deliberate turning of the wrist. This feature has to be turned on manually, and will stay on after that.I hope this review has served to alleviate any concerns about whether the watch face is easy to read or not. My opinion is that it IS easy to read. But amazon has free returns if you think it isn'tOne more thing that is really cool is the atomic function. I have found that the watch is never more than about 1/10th of a second off the official time. Really cool!!!