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 After a lot of trial and error, I’ve finally reached a point where I’m happy with the first version of the Vintage G-Shock Screwback Square Registry . On my website, DW5000.COM , you’ll find a link to the registration page (a Google account is required). There, collectors can register their vintage G-Shock screwback squares with modules 240, 491, 691, or 901 , and add details such as the model, module, photos, country, and city. The registry does not collect email addresses. If you want to edit your entry later, you’ll need to save the edit link that appears after submitting the registration. This is also explained on the registration page. Once a submission has been approved, it will appear as a clickable marker on a world map. By clicking the marker, you can view information about that specific watch. I’m completely new to building websites and developing online registration systems, so if you notice anything that seems off or have suggestions for improvements, I’d really appre...

Restoring a vintage G-Shock is a delicate balance. The goal is not always to make an old watch look like it just left the factory. Sometimes the marks, scratches, and signs of use are part of what makes the watch special. A vintage G-Shock is not just a watch. It is a piece of history. Restoration or Replacement? There is a big difference between restoring and rebuilding. A rebuild often means replacing everything possible: new bezel, new strap, new screws, polished case, and sometimes even replacement parts that remove the character of the original watch. A careful restoration has a different goal. The purpose is to preserve as much original material as possible while making the watch functional and presentable again. The Bezel Problem The bezel is often the first challenge with vintage G-Shocks. After decades, the resin can become fragile. A bezel may look completely normal on the outside, but once removed it can crack, crumble, or break into many pieces. This is not alway...

When collectors talk about vintage Casio G-Shocks, the conversation often begins with the obvious details: the dial, bezel condition, module, or overall appearance. But underneath the watch is another fascinating world. The screwback case of the DW-5600C contains a surprising amount of history. The module, caseback finish, Japan marking, engraving style, and small construction details reveal different production periods and manufacturing variations. For collectors, the back of the watch is not just a cover. It is a fingerprint. Two Modules, Two Eras The Casio DW-5600C was produced from the late 1980s into the early 1990s and is mainly found with two different modules: the earlier Module 691 and the later Module 901. The Module 691 was introduced first, while Casio later replaced it with the Module 901 around 1990. From the outside, the two modules look almost identical and provide nearly the same functions. The biggest changes are found inside the watch. The 691 module uses a ...

Buying a vintage Casio G-Shock DW-5600C can be exciting. The classic square design, screwback case, and connection to the first generation of G-Shocks make it one of the most desirable vintage models. But many details are easy to overlook. Two watches can look almost identical in auction photos, yet have completely different value and history. Knowing what to look for can make the difference between an ordinary example and a special collector piece. The Module – 691 or 901 The first thing many collectors check is the module. The early DW-5600C used the Module 691 , while later examples used the Module 901 . Both are excellent and both belong to the vintage screwback era, but they represent different production periods. The module number should always be verified. A watch advertised as an early 691 model may contain a later 901 module, especially after decades of repairs and battery changes. The Caseback Tells a Story Many buyers only look at the front of the watch. This is a ...

Among the early G-Shock models, some watches achieved recognition immediately, while others quietly faded into the background.   The Casio DW-5500C belongs to the latter category. Released in the mid-1980s, the DW-5500C was one of the more distinctive early G-Shock models. It retained the rugged, square-inspired DNA of the original watches while introducing a unique design that set it apart from the better-known classics. For collectors today, that distinction is precisely what makes it so compelling. At first glance, it may appear to be another vintage square G-Shock from the 1980s. However, the DW-5500C has its own identity, with a robust case design and a layout that reflects Casio’s early experimentation during the formative years of the line. It was engineered to be durable, practical, and capable of withstanding everyday wear. The DW-5500C used module 240 and followed the same shock-resistant philosophy that made G-Shock famous. While it may not have achieved the iconic s...

Some G-Shock models are remembered because they introduced new technology. Others are remembered because they represent a special moment in time. The Casio SWC-05 belongs to the second category. Released in 1994, the SWC-05 was created as a special edition connected to the FIFA World Cup held in the USA. It combined the rugged identity of the G-Shock series with the excitement surrounding one of the world's biggest sporting events. At first glance, it looks like a classic early 1990s G-Shock. But the details make it stand out. The gold and black colour scheme, special graphics, and World Cup connection give it an appearance unlike many other models from the era. Inside beats the reliable module 901, a movement shared with several early G-Shock models from this period. Collectors appreciate these watches not only for their functions, but also because they represent an important chapter in G-Shock history. Like many vintage G-Shocks, the SWC-05 has its weaknesses. The resin beze...

Among the early G-Shock models, some watches became famous immediately. Others quietly disappeared into history. The Casio WW-5300 belongs to the second group. Released in 1984, the WW-5300 was part of Casio’s early Wide Temp series. It was built for extreme environments where ordinary LCD displays could struggle. The special display technology was designed to keep the watch readable in very cold temperatures, making it a unique chapter in early G-Shock history. At first glance, it looks like another classic square G-Shock from the 1980s. But underneath the familiar shape is a watch designed with a very specific purpose: surviving harsh conditions where reliability mattered more than anything else. The WW-5300 used module 491 and carried the same rugged philosophy that made the first G-Shocks famous. Today, finding a complete example is becoming increasingly difficult. Like many early G-Shocks, the original resin bezel is often the biggest challenge. Decades of aging can cause the...

When people talk about the earliest G-Shock models, the conversation usually begins with the DW-5000C and quickly moves on to the legendary DW-5200C "Hero." Often overlooked is the WW-5100C-1—one of the very first G-Shocks and the second model released in the series. WW-5100C-1  Introduced in 1983, the WW-5100C-1 arrived at a time when the G-Shock concept was still unproven. Casio had created a watch unlike anything the market had seen before, but convincing customers that a digital watch could survive serious abuse was no easy task. The WW-5100C-1 shares its rugged foundation with the original DW-5000C, including the first-generation stainless steel screw-back case. However, it stands apart with its own distinctive bezel design and bold front graphics, giving it a unique identity among the earliest G-Shocks. Like the original DW-5000C, the WW-5100C-1 was produced in relatively small numbers during G-Shock's infancy. As a result, surviving examples—especially those r...

When people think of the watch that started it all, the DW-5000C naturally comes to mind. It was the original G-Shock, introduced in 1983, and the beginning of a revolution in watchmaking. But there is another model that deserves just as much recognition. Released in June 1984, the DW-5200C-1 became the watch that brought G-Shock into the public eye. While it shared much of its construction with the original DW-5000C—including the stainless steel screw-back case, Module 240, and 200-meter water resistance—it was the model that proved the G-Shock concept to the world. DW-5200C-1  In the early days, the original G-Shock did not sell particularly well. The idea of an almost indestructible digital watch was unlike anything consumers had seen before, and Casio struggled to convince buyers. After the introduction of the DW-5000C and the WW-5100C, the future of the G-Shock project was still uncertain. Everything changed with one unforgettable television commercial. Casio demonstrated...

In 1983, Casio introduced the DW-5000C , a watch that would redefine the meaning of durability. Created under the leadership of Kikuo Ibe, it became the world's first G-Shock and marked the beginning of one of the most successful watch families ever produced. The original DW-5000C combined an innovative shock-resistant construction with a bold square design unlike anything else on the market. Its stainless steel screw-back case, protective resin outer case and bezel, and floating module were all engineered to withstand impacts that would damage conventional watches. The distinctive brick-pattern LCD completed a design that has become instantly recognizable to collectors around the world. DW-5200C-1A The DW-5000C was offered as both the DW-5000C-1A and DW-5000C-1B , two original references that today represent the very beginning of the G-Shock story. Both are highly regarded by collectors and are considered essential pieces in any serious vintage G-Shock collection. DW-5000C-1B  ...

After reading several forum discussions and studying these vintage modules, I finally reached a simple explanation of how the alarm sound is produced. Unlike what many people assume, the piezo element is not located inside the module itself. Instead, the crystal contains two piezo elements and a conductive silk-printed circuit on its inner surface. When the module triggers an alarm, electrical current is sent through the alarm spring, across the conductive print inside the crystal, through both piezo elements, and back to the module via the two metal contact arms.As the current passes through the piezo elements, they vibrate and generate the familiar alarm beep. It is a clever and elegant design—using the watch crystal itself as an active part of the alarm system rather than just a protective window.

The alarm spring found in vintage Casio G-Shock modules 240, 691 and 901 is responsible for more damaged crystals than many collectors realize.   The spring presses against the inside of the crystal, exactly where the conductive silk-printed pattern is located. If the module is installed slightly out of position and then twisted into place, the spring can scrape the silk print from the inside of the crystal. The damage will be clearly visible from the outside and is often impossible to repair completely.   The safest method is to position the module correctly before pressing it into place. If it needs adjustment, remove the module straight out, reposition it, and install it again. Avoid twisting the module while the alarm spring is in contact with the crystal. Many collectors place a small piece of conductive carbon tape where the alarm spring contacts the crystal. This provides some protection against mechanical wear while still allowing the electrical connection required for...

Bergeon Rodico 6033-1 is a putty-like cleaning compound widely used by watchmakers to remove oil, fingerprints, dust, and other contaminants from watch movements, hands, dials, crystals, and other delicate components. It is an indispensable tool for safely cleaning fragile surfaces without causing scratches or damage. Rodico is also excellent for picking up tiny screws, springs, and other small parts from hard-to-reach areas, reducing the need to handle them with fingers or tweezers. A simple but remarkably effective tool that deserves a place on every watchmaker's bench.