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G-Shock DW5600 battery life


  1. fordag

    North Shore, MA, USA

    I have a DW5600 that I purchased in 1988. The housing and band have long since crumbled off but the watch itself is still running. I've never changed the battery in the watch. The light is just barely visible when activated but it does light.

    Has anyone else experienced such a long run on their G-Shock battery?

    I also have a DW6600 which I bought in 1994, that battery died several years ago. Again on this one the rubber housing is also cracking and falling off. Anyone else have their housings falling apart?

    btw I tried to upload a couple pics of my DW5600 but they didn't show up.

    David

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. Riley

    Philadelphia

    That battery real went for the long haul. It's not common, but I have heard of G-Shocks lasting that long before. If you don't use the alarm and light much it can really extend the life of a battery. Most G-Shocks hardly use any juice just sitting there displaying the time.

    That must be a DW-5600C that you have. They have a 691 or 901 module with a different battery than the current models. You can get replacement parts for those models. They can be found on eBay usually. Just search for "DW-5600C band and bezel".

    BTW - I replied to your other post about the image upload problem. Feel free to PM me to get it sorted out.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. fordag

    North Shore, MA, USA

    Not only has it gone for the long haul, it's still going... I don't know if it's a C model or not, the back only says DW-5600. It does have 691 on it in a little box. I'll check out the post on photos, the pics I tried to post were of this watch.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Riley

    Philadelphia

    Here's the photos you uploaded to the archive:

    Very nice. It does look like a DW-5600C-1. You should definitely get the spare parts and make it whole again. It will look like new again. These old modules are very tough. They can go forever with a part changes every 10 years or so.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. fordag

    North Shore, MA, USA

    I have a search up on ebay for the parts now.
    What is the expected life of the bezel and strap? Mine broke back in 1994, I know only because that's was what prompted me to buy the DW6600. Which has also since broken.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. Riley

    Philadelphia

    There doesn't seem to be a matching pair of parts for sale on eBay right now.

    Here's a search for the band

    and

    Here's the search results for a bezel

    These have been readily available for a while, but the supply might eventually dry up.

    fordag said:
    What is the expected life of the bezel and strap?

    It depends. They can last forever if left unworn in a nice environment. Five years is probably about right for daily wear and little regard for it. Exposure to certain chemicals and prolonged periods of bright sunlight accelerate the aging process. Over time the resin gets more brittle, so eventually a tiny crack leads to breaking apart. It's just the nature of the material. Metal bands and bezels are a different story.

    I highly recommend picking up spare parts near the time of purchase if you plan on wearing a G-Shock more than five years. Casio eventually discontinues production of these parts, so if you wait until there's a problem you might have to pay a premium to get the spare parts from a collector.

    If you have a few G-Shocks (so that you can rotate the model you wear daily) it will greatly prolong their life. You can never have too many.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. Ed

    Yes, definitely get the bezel & strap for that 5600. Here's a pic of my DW5600C with a new bezel, but with the strap adapters and a NATO strap. It looks like it just came our of the showcase:



    It's a GREAT watch and will serve you EVEN longer.

    Ed

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. fordag

    North Shore, MA, USA

    I just ordered the bezel and strap. Thanks for sending me the links. What is the strap you have on the watch?

    ALso the bezel that was available has Gold letters, My intent it to make them black. What are my best options for doing that?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Riley

    Philadelphia

    fordag said:

    ALso the bezel that was available has Gold letters, My intent it to make them black. What are my best options for doing that?

    You should probably use some Goof Off to remove the gold paint. Check out this wiki page for all the details on stealthing:
    http://mygshock.com/wiki/Stealth_a_G-Shock

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. zz55

    New Mexico USA

    Riley & fordag:
    I also have a 5600c that's been on the same battery since I aquired it.... and I have a question along that line. Can I substitute a CR2016 for the 2023 battery that is at prestent still in the watch? I assume it is the 2023 because all my research says that is what the 5600 (691 H) shipped with.

    Thanks in advance---zz

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. Riley

    Philadelphia

    zz55 - I'm pretty sure that the CR2016 is not fully compatible. There might be another more common battery number that's compatible with the original. I think it might have the same voltage, but the CR2016 is a bit smaller in size than the older style one. I think that's why they last longer too.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. Ed

    To: Fordag, the strap is a Zulu which I purchased from Broadarrow. Here is the link to the page. When you get there, scroll down the page until you see the Casio Strap Adapters on the right, then look immediately to the left and you'll see the strap that's on my 5600C.
    Hope this helps.
    Broadarrow

    Cheers,

    Ed

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. jedpause

    Well, I also bout by G-Shock in 1998 (DW-5600) with 691 and I STILL have the same battery running and its now March 2012... TWENTY FOUR years later, must be a record

    Posted 9 years ago #

  14. humbertocruz

    I have one DW-5600C too and it's working with the same battery since 1989... did lost all rubber and I never press the light button any more, so it's may last more.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  15. dredbros

    I was wondereing whether my 1988 DW-5600 was just a freak of nature before I discovered this discussion. It's still running with no baterry change...27 years! Admittedly, it's been sitting on my desk for a good part of that time. The light still works, but quite dim.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  16. Riley

    Philadelphia

    That's cool! It's rare but not unheard of. These G-Shocks are very well made.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  17. dwwatch

    1988 ?! That's so cool

    Posted 5 years ago #

  18. ibm8086

    Mississauga, Ontario

    13 Sep 2016
    I have a DW5600 with a 691 in it. It was bought in 1991 and worn a few times that year . It has been sitting in a drawer since 1991. It has the same battery and still looks in showroom condition, with lots of shine and no scratches on the back. The time is about 12 hours off (slower). I hadn't looked at it in more than 20 years. Now I check every few months or so to see if the battery is still going. I don't press the light or try to correct the time. I really want to see how long this watch will work with the original battery. My other G shock bought around 1985 endured the salty Caribbean sea every weekend and that battery lasted for 18 years. The band and bezel cracked after about 15 years.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  19. dredbros

    dredbros said:
    I was wondereing whether my 1988 DW-5600 was just a freak of nature before I discovered this discussion. It's still running with no baterry change...27 years! Admittedly, it's been sitting on my desk for a good part of that time. The light still works, but quite dim.

    Update. The case is starting to break up, but it's still running on the original 1988 battery!

    Posted 1 year ago #

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