What does the “X” in the G-Shock GW-BX5600 signify?

Japanese blog Great G-Shock World reported that a “G-Shock GW-BX5600” is coming soon, according to a Bluetooth device certification filing. The series name is similar to the existing GW-B5600 which is equipped with Tough Solar and Multi-Band 6 radio time adjustment (signified by “GW”) and Bluetooth smartphone link (signified by “B”), so we can be fairly certain that the GW-BX5600 will have those features. The big question is what does the “X” signify?

When used in the (lettered) prefix of the name, “X” has been used to distinguish certain lines such as G-LIDE. Could it be a G-LIDE surfing series with tide and moon graphs? Probably not, because we would expect the “X” to be in the prefix in that case, like it has been with recent and existing G-LIDE surfing series. They could have gone with “GWX-B5600” for that (like the GWX-5600 but with Bluetooth). There is already the still active GBX-100, the most advanced G-LIDE series ever with MIP LCD and Bluetooth (but without Tough Solar and Multi-Band 6), and G-LIDE watches are rather niche products (i.e. not the top sellers). It’s possible that G-Shock could change the G-LIDE naming convention, as it has before (starting with a “DW” prefix and “X” or “S” after the numbers, then to a “GL” prefix, and now “X” and “S” in the prefix), but we’re not sure why they would change it again. An innovative G-LIDE series would generate some interest, but probably not as much as a new Gulfmaster.

There are only two G-Shock series where the “X” appeared after the prefix and before the numbers like the GW-BX5600, and that was with the discontinued GD-X6900 and GB-X6900. The “X” in these cases seems to refer to “X-Large” (based on a video from G-Shock), in the same way it seems to for the GX-56 and GXW-56. (G-Shock has stated that the “X” in GX-56 and GXW-56 stands for “extra” as in extra protection from all directions. G-Shock has also stated that the “X” in G-LIDE series stands for “X-treme,” and there was also an X-treme series with “X” coming after the numbers.) If the GW-BX5600 is a larger square, it raises the question of why Casio is choosing to go with the more advanced and costlier GW-B combo instead of a 10-year battery like the GD-X6900. A higher price relative to a less advanced series would make it less of a contender for frequent colorways and collaborative releases, but it could also mean that it’s more focused on function over fashion. Perhaps the main argument against a larger square is that the GX-56 and GXW-56 effectively serve as larger squares and are obviously inspired by the 5600, although they are not a true 5000-5600 series.

There is some speculation that the “X” may refer to carbon parts like it does in certain MTG-B1000 and MTG-B2000 (and Pro Trek) models, but in those cases, the “X” comes after the numbers, not before. Also, those models have the same series name and module as the non-carbon ones. With the “X” being before the number and the Bluetooth device certification suggesting that the GW-BX5600 has an all-new module, it seems to be more than just a carbon bezel on a GW-B5600, as that should be possible using the same module (such as with the metal GM-5600 and DW-5600). (We should point out that we’re not certain if Casio would need to submit a new FCC registration for a new series that uses an existing Bluetooth module or not.)

We would expect the same to apply to having only a carbon case upgrade, unless it is a vastly different structure. There is already a G-Shock square that has a Carbon Core Guard case, the DWE-5600, which is reserved for limited editions and the My G-Shock customization service in Japan, and this series shares the same module as the DW-5600. It also seems unlikely that Casio would upgrade the GW-B5600 with only a carbon reinforced case, as that is not a highly desired feature on affordable G-Shocks or one that would generate much hype at this point, although it is a strong part of the identity of the GA-2100 and many higher-end G-Shock series.

We do not expect the GW-BX5600 to be a full carbon watch, because G-Shock already did that. The GCW-B5000 was a deluxe square series used for two 40th Anniversary limited edition models in 2023 that had a carbon fiber reinforced case and a band and bezel made of forged carbon. The GCW-B5000 had a monocoque case, which we also do not expect with the GW-BX5600, as all current 5600 series have a stainless steel or titanium case back. Also, the fact that it is a 5600 and not a 5000 suggests that it will be on the more affordable side compared to current 5000 series which typically have stainless steel or titanium (screw-back) cases and are associated as premium homage editions. Being a 5600 also suggests that it is not a replacement for the GW-5000. Perhaps it could be a more affordable carbon watch with a carbon reinforced bezel and band instead of forged carbon, which would be good news for those who didn’t want to pay $2,000 for a GCW-B5000 or deal with a monocoque case, but then we would expect it to be closer to the GW-5000 in price.

A letter coming after the prefix and before the numbers on a G-Shock usually denotes functionality (such as “B”) or size (such as “S”). Material is usually categorized in the prefix (as in “GMW” or “GM” for “metal” or “GCW” for “carbon”). While our initial thought was a bigger square, we also suspect that it could be a normal size but with a redesigned and somehow special LCD display, although there is already the DW-H5600 with MIP LCD which also happens to be a bigger square. We’d like to believe that the GW-BX5600 will be an upgrade that is focused on functionality and value rather than pricier materials, but it seems like it could go either way.

(Above image is a GW-B5600CY-1 with the display edited out.)

Sources: gshockjp.blog.jp, shockbase.org, Casio Watches app “Discover G-Shock” section