Few comparisons in the watch world are as lopsided on price as this one. The Casio F-91W is one of the most famous watches ever made, a small and simple digital that has become the design template for the category. The G-Shock GW-M5610U takes that same basic square idea and rebuilds it as a far tougher, far more capable tool watch. At the time of filming, the F-91W cost just under $30 Canadian, while the GW-M5610U cost about $245 Canadian. That is roughly an eight times gap.
Watch the video above for the side by side comparison of the two watches in hand, then read on for the differences in build, features, timekeeping, and everyday wear that separate them.
Price and what the gap buys
The starting point is the price. The Casio F-91W sits just under $30 Canadian, while the G-Shock GW-M5610U sits at about $245 Canadian. An eight times difference is a lot to justify on paper, but the video makes the point that the gap does show up in the product. It appears in the build quality, in the durability, and in a feature list that the cheaper watch does not attempt to match. The question is whether what it offers matters for the way a given wearer actually uses a watch.
Build, size and comfort
The F-91W is small, slender, and lightweight, with a minimal face and a basic resin strap. Its metal buttons are easy to press, even for people with big hands, which is a pleasant surprise on such a small watch. Its water resistance covers hand washing and showering, but it is not built for swimming or diving.
The GW-M5610U is far more rugged, and it is rated to 200 m water resistance, which puts swimming and far rougher use comfortably on the table. The trade off for that durability shows up at the buttons, which are harder to press, into fingernail territory, rather than the easy push of the F-91W. Its resin strap uses a metal buckle, and it is described as more comfortable and more durable than the strap on the cheaper watch. The G-Shock is slightly bigger, though still not a big watch, and it will not slide under a dress shirt as easily as the F-91W does. Its screen is larger and easier to read, with more information available at a glance.
Features: simple module versus full tool watch
The F-91W keeps things very simple. Its module offers one alarm and a stopwatch, and that restraint is part of its character. The backlight is weak, described in the video as laughably bad by modern standards, but it does work. For many owners, that short list is enough, because the watch was never meant to be a feature showcase.
The GW-M5610U is a different kind of product. It offers world time storing five time zones, with a time swap function that is genuinely useful for travellers. It has five alarms, including one snooze alarm, along with a countdown timer and a stopwatch. The backlight is much brighter, and it includes auto illuminate, which lights the display when the wrist is raised.
Timekeeping and power
On standalone accuracy, the G-Shock also pulls ahead. The F-91W is rated at plus or minus 30 seconds per month, while the GW-M5610U is rated at plus or minus 15 seconds per month. On top of that, the G-Shock adds Multi Band 6 atomic timekeeping, syncing to six towers worldwide to keep the time correct automatically. The F-91W relies on its owner to set and adjust it, which many owners will do rarely, if at all.
Power is another clear split. The F-91W uses a basic battery that is replaceable for a couple of dollars, so it remains a legitimately low maintenance watch despite needing the occasional battery change. The GW-M5610U uses Tough Solar charging, drawing power from sunlight or indoor light, so there are no battery changes at all. For a watch bought as a set and forget tool, that difference matters over years of ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How much do the two watches cost? At the time of filming, the F-91W was just under $30 Canadian and the GW-M5610U was about $245 Canadian, a gap of roughly eight times.
Which watch is better for swimming? The G-Shock, by a wide margin. It is rated to 200 m water resistance, while the F-91W is fine for hand washing and showering but is not built for swimming or diving.
Does the GW-M5610U need battery changes? No. It uses Tough Solar charging from sunlight or indoor light. The F-91W uses a basic battery, but replacements cost only a couple of dollars.
What extra features does the G-Shock add? World time for five time zones with a time swap function, five alarms including a snooze alarm, a countdown timer, a brighter backlight with auto illuminate, and Multi Band 6 atomic timekeeping.
Verdict
The verdict in the video is that these are different tools rather than direct substitutes. The F-91W is iconic, reliable, and unbeatable value for casual wear, and for plenty of people it is all the watch they need. The GW-M5610U is a lifetime, set and forget tool watch, built tougher, sealed better, and packed with features the cheaper watch never tries to offer.
Many people start with the F-91W and graduate to the G-Shock later, and the conclusion here is that the premium is worth it for what is included, provided the buyer will actually use the durability, the solar charging, and the atomic timekeeping. If those things sound appealing, Check the G-Shock GW-M5610U on Amazon to see the current price and full specifications before deciding.