Hands-On With The Fun And Impressive Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC “Circuit Board”

A new addition to the lineup of luxury G-Shock Squares made from G-Shock special titanium alloy and decorated with surprising graphics

Jorg Weppelink

February 14, 2023

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Last week I wrote about the colorful G-Shock Frogman 30th Anniversary “Poison Dart Frog” that we had in the office. While that exotic watch was with us, we also received the G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC. At first sight, it might be less impressive than the standout Frogman, but take a closer look, and you’ll understand that some important things make this model stand out. First, this new G-Shock “Square” is as light as a feather thanks to the new titanium alloy that the brand uses, TranTixxii. Second, the watch is decorated with a special pattern inspired by the circuitry of the no. 3459 module that powers the GMW-B5000 series. The combination makes for a new, very special, premium G-Shock.

If you are familiar with wearing different G-Shock models, you will recognize that putting a square G-Shock on your wrist feels like coming home. Both the size and the design of the Square feel familiar and comfortable, but the emotion of being connected to what started it all is just as important. And what I love about the current G-Shock Squares is that they all still link back to that original first model. It doesn’t matter if the materials, colors, or designs differ. That’s why this new premium G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC feels so familiar despite offering new perspectives on the G-Shock Square.

The G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC at first glance

The moment you take the GMW-B5000TCC out of the box, the first visual thing that stands out is its design. A glance will tell you it looks like a camouflage pattern. Look a bit closer, though, and you’ll see a lot more going on. The camouflage pattern mimics the circuitry of the no. 3459 module of the GMW-B5000. The case, the bracelet, and the clasp all feature the pattern. Even if you’re not a fan of wrist rolls, this G-Shock will definitely have you doing a couple.

The abstract circuit-board pattern is achieved by combining black ion plating (IP) and laser engraving. The illusion of shading is achieved by applying laser engraving both before and after the plating process. It gives the pattern depth, and the watch’s overall presence is nothing short of impressive. The level of detail is quite stunning as well, with the pattern continuing on the sides of the case. The sides of the bracelet and the clasp do not feature the pattern, but don’t let that be a dealbreaker. There is already quite a bit going on — in a good way! It’s like wearing your G-Shock inside out.

The special titanium alloy of the G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC

After the initial impressions of the pattern, the second thing that stood out to me was the weight. The new GMW-B5000TCC comes in at only 104 grams. That is thanks to the new TranTixxii titanium alloy that Nippon Steel Corporation developed. According to Casio, the material offers the same lightweight properties and comfort against the skin as regular titanium. However, the material is twice as hard as regular titanium while offering the possibility of a mirror-polished finish similar to that of stainless steel.

Witnessing the watch up close is impressive, I must say. If you are familiar with the premium G-Shock models, you know they do not come cheap. This GMW-B5000TCC is no exception at €1,790, but what you get in return is quite stellar. The material feels lightweight and super comfortable to wear, but the finish is also very impressive. The looks and feel are in line with the GMW-B5000TVB-1ER that our friend Warky wrote about. And the titanium alloy was also used for the colorful GMW-B5000TR-9ER “Rainbow Hippie” with its all-mirror finish that Lex wrote about. It’s safe to say that G-Shock has been working on creating some amazing Premium Squares, and this new “Circuit Board” version is no exception.

The no. 3459 module powering the G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC

Inside the titanium case, you will find G-Shock’s no. 3459 module that powers the watch. Technically, the Tough Solar flagship module offers nothing new, but it did offer the inspiration for this great conceptual design that, essentially, turns the watch inside out. It’s a concept we have seen regularly in fashion over the past few years. Just think of the inside-out sweaters and hoodies or the “deconstructed” sneakers we have seen.

The module has been used for various G-Shock Squares and offers Multi Band 6 technology and Bluetooth functionality. As you can see, the watch has a negative display that looks nice overall. While a positive display would also work perfectly, for this inside-out concept, the negative display fits best. And you can light up the display in the dark with the “Super Illuminator” or LED backlight that will help you read the time and operate the watch.

You would not need more than this unless you go on a special mission

Like all G-Shocks, the watch is equipped with a myriad of different functions. They include a world timer capable of showing up to five times in 39 different time zones, a fully automatic calendar up to 2099, a chronograph, and several different alarms, among other things. The Bluetooth connectivity also allows you to connect the watch to your phone with G-Shock’s Connected app, making it simple to set up the watch.

G-Shock states that the module has an accuracy of ±15 seconds per month without signal calibration or using the mobile-link function with your smartphone. One smart function I love is that the module also has a power-saving mode when you leave the watch in the dark. Overall, this module has everything you could ever need in daily life if you are not going on an extreme adventure. In that case, you might need one of the brand’s more extreme models from the Master Of G series. But other than that, this is a perfect daily wearer.

Wearing the G-Shock “Circuit Board”

The case measures a friendly 49.3 × 43.2 × 13mm with a 200m water resistance rating. If you have a G-Shock Square, you will know it sits nicely on the wrist. But the titanium execution and intricate details make the wearing experience much more special. There is no denying that these premium models offer a lot more comfort than traditional resin or even stainless steel models.

Additionally, the manufacturing quality of this new “Circuit Board” is very impressive. There is this fine balance between the flexibility of the bracelet, the ease of use of the clasp, and the sturdy feel. This fine balance guarantees that this is a brilliantly designed and exquisitely produced timepiece. And the good thing is that if you are familiar with operating a G-Shock, this new model will feel like all your more affordable models.

Final thoughts about the G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC “Circuit Board”

And that’s what it all comes down to with this new G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC “Circuit Board” and all of the other premium titanium models; they offer the same familiar experience of a square G-Shock but are so much more impressive in terms of materials, quality, design, and finishing. Would you spend the €1,790 needed for this G-Shock? I guess the answer is “no” if you’re not used to spending a lot of money on watches because, in all honesty, it is a lot of money.

But I will say this: these premium titanium G-Shock models impress me every time. And I will also say that they are worth every penny of their list price. While they are hard to compare to mechanical timepieces, the level of detail that goes into creating this series leads to results that many brands offering similarly priced watches can only dream of. Combined with the brilliant functionality and the iconic design, it’s hard not to praise this new G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC.

For more detailed information, visit the official G-Shock website. In the meantime, let us know in the comments section what you think is this new G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC “Circuit Board.”