Casio’s new DW-5600 watches add a magnetic buckle and cloth strap

Casio has launched three new G-Shock DW-5600 watches with an adjustable cross band and a magnetic buckle. The series was first shown off in a late February leak, revealing its design and key features. Now, Casio has officially lifted the curtains on the new watches.

The trio, DW-5600MNC-1, DW-5600MNC-7A8, and DW-5600MNC-8A2, is part of what Casio calls its “New Cloth Band” series. The watches ditch the traditional resin band for a highly adjustable and comfortable cross band and a slick magnetic buckle made by FIDLOCK, which the company claims "dramatically increases the convenience of attaching and removing."

We're also told that the unique buckle pairs magnets with a mechanical locking mechanism, so you can easily open or close the strap smoothly with one hand.

In terms of design, each model brings its own personality. The DW-5600MNC-1 offers an all-black monochrome aesthetic, and it's the only model to feature an inverted LCD, while the DW-5600MNC-7A2 opts for a brighter multi-color scheme with light gray accents and a neon yellow and gray band. Finally, the DW-5600MNC-8A2 has a sporty look, pairing a gray bezel with a navy-orange band. 

Barring the different color schemes, all three watches are identical, with each weighing just 53g and measuring 48.9 x 42.8 x 13.4 mm. The case and bezel are made from biomass resin, while the dial is protected by inorganic glass. And before you ask, yes, all three models offer shock resistance and up to 200 meters of water resistance. 

Battery life is rated for 5 years—there's no solar charging onboard. Other highlights include a 1/100-second stopwatch, 24-hour countdown timer, multi-alarm, hourly time signal, LED backlight with Super Illuminator, full auto calendar, and ±15 seconds per month accuracy. Battery life is rated at roughly five years.

As with most Casio releases, the G-Shock DW-5600MNC series is launching first in Japan. At ¥19,800 (~$127), it firmly sits in affordable territory. Preorders are already open, with sales set to commence later in March. The trio wll likely make its way to the US, Europe, and other Asian markets soon after.