Casio F91W vs G-Shock 5600: Two Icons, Not the Same Job
The F91W is probably the most recognized cheap digital watch on the planet. The 5600 carries similar weight among square G-Shocks. They rarely get compared fairly, because most people judge them on the same scale when they were never aiming at the same target.
At a Glance
| Casio F91W | G-Shock 5600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | ~38.2 x 35.2 x 8.5mm | ~48.9 x 42.8 x 13.4mm |
| Weight | ~21g | ~52-53g |
| Glass | Resin | Mineral |
| Water resistance | Basic (Water Resistant) | 200m on common DW-5600 models |
| Shock resistance | No | Yes |
| Battery | CR2016, ~7 years | CR2016 on common versions |
The F91W
Time. Stopwatch. Alarm. Calendar. A light for the dark. That’s the feature list, and it hasn’t changed in decades. A CR2016 cell drives it for around seven years. The whole watch weighs about 21 grams.
You feel that weight the moment you put it on, or rather you don’t feel it at all. It slides under a sleeve and stays there all day without you noticing. The case is resin. The glass is resin too. Rain and hand-washing are fine. A pool isn’t.
The 5600
Pick up a 5600 and the size difference registers immediately. Bigger case, thicker profile, a crystal made of mineral glass instead of the F91W’s resin. Common DW-5600 references carry a 200-meter water rating. Drop resistance is built into the structure, not bolted on afterward.
That extra bulk is doing a job. Every millimeter of the case exists to keep the module alive after an impact the F91W’s case would crack under.
Comfort
Small wrist, thin sleeve, forgot-you’re-wearing-it comfort: that’s the F91W’s whole appeal, and it delivers. The 5600 asks for more room. It’s still fine to wear all day, but you know it’s there. Some people want that presence on purpose.
When Each One Actually Fits
Desk job. School. A spare watch in a drawer. The F91W handles every one of these situations. Manual labor. A pool. A hike where the watch might hit a rock. Start moving through that list and the F91W stops being the right tool.
Water Resistance
| Situation | Casio F91W | G-Shock 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Hand washing | Fine | Fine |
| Light rain | Fine | Fine |
| Heavy rain | Risky | Fine |
| Shower | Skip it | Skip soap and heat anyway |
| Swimming | No | Yes |
| Ocean | No | Yes |
The F91W’s rating was never meant to cover swimming. It says so plainly on the spec sheet.
Battery
Seven years on a CR2016 is a good number for a two-dollar watch. The 5600 also takes a CR2016 in most versions, but the estimated life shifts from one reference to another. Replacing either battery costs a few dollars.
What Each Watch Actually Does
Both keep time, run a stopwatch, hold an alarm, and track the date. Stop there and they’re identical. The 5600 adds shock resistance and a real water rating. The F91W adds nothing past the basics. If basics are all you need, that’s enough.
Price
The F91W sits near the bottom of what a watch can cost and still work well. The 5600 costs more. You get shock protection and a 200m rating for that difference.
Pros and Cons
Casio F91W
- Cheap
- About 21g
- Thin, disappears under a sleeve
- ~7 year battery
- Resin case, resin glass
- Basic water resistance, no shock protection
G-Shock 5600
- Shock resistant
- 200m water resistance on common versions
- Mineral glass
- Larger presence on the wrist
- Costs more
- Battery life varies by reference
The Actual Decision
Buy the F91W for a tight budget or a wrist that hates anything heavy. Buy the 5600 the moment you need a watch that survives being dropped, soaked, or worked in.
Related Options
Want the F91W’s formula with a better light? Look at the F105W. Want water resistance without a full G-Shock? The W-59 or W-800H split the difference. Want the 5600’s shape with solar charging? Check the G-5600 or GW-M5610.
Bottom Line
One watch is built to cost almost nothing and weigh almost nothing. The other is built to survive things the first one can’t. Pick based on which problem you actually have.
FAQ
Is the F91W better than the G-Shock 5600? Cheaper and lighter, yes. Tougher, no. The 5600 wins on shock resistance and water rating every time.
Is the F91W a good watch? For what it costs, yes. It was never meant to survive what a G-Shock survives.
Is the 5600 worth paying more for? If you need the durability, the extra cost is real engineering.
Can you swim with an F91W? No. It’s rated for rain and hand-washing.
Can you swim with a 5600? Yes, on common DW-5600 references rated to 200m.
Which is more comfortable? The F91W disappears on the wrist. The 5600 stays noticeable.
Does the F91W resist shocks like a G-Shock? No. It has none of that protection.
Which should I buy? The F91W for price and weight. The 5600 for durability.
