Third Party G-Shock Watch Bracelet (Combi Bracelet Alternative)
Vložit
- čas přidán 24. 08. 2024
- In recent years, certain versions of Casio's G-Shock GW6900 and GWM5610 watches have been available with plastic and metal combination bracelets rather than the more common resin watch bands. Some G-Shock fans have wanted to install those bracelets on watches they purchased with the standard, resin bands. The results are usually great but the the genuine Casio bracelets can be relatively expensive, often priced at more than $100 for the bracelet alone (watch not included).
But wait! It turns out that there are alternative bracelets made in China which look very much like the Casio bracelets for a fraction of the price. Can a bracelet that looks like a the Casio bracelet but costs less than $20 be any good? I'd like to find out for myself. That's why I purchased two of them and I've installed them on two of my G-Shock watches.
I decided to call these my “premium beater” watches. They are a step up from the basic G-Shocks because they have tough solar and Multiband 6 functions. And now they have better-than-standard bracelets too. But they still aren’t the most fancy or expensive G-Shocks and they don’t have the expensive Casio bracelets. Thus: Premium Beaters.
EDIT: Here is a follow-up video with just a few additional thoughts... • G-Shock Combi Bracelet...
For what it’s worth for people putting a G-Shock combi bracelet onto a GW-5000u: the plastic ends that fit into the steel lugs of the 5000 are just a fraction too big. Filing them a touch (and trimming the tiny, plastic ”hair” that the file has caused with some sharp scissors) will let the plastic ends of the bracelet fit into the lugs.
Note too, that the G-Shock bracelet is considerably heavier than the Chinese knockoff. Its clasp is sturdier, heavier stainless steel and the squares between the resin links seem to be steel too. This means that the 5000, with its already solid steel body, lugs and screw down steel back, will feel heftier afterwards. Not as heavy as the full metal G-Shocks (they have full steel links and a steel bezel) but noticeably heavier than their original setup. To be exact (using metric measurements), after replacing the rubber strap with the G-Shock bracelet it went from 74gm to 114gm (that is also allowing for taking out two links to fit my wrist). This puts it just above a Titanium G-Shock square weight wise but still well under the all stainless steel series which come in around 160gm. So now you know… :-)
The best and most thorough comparison of the combi bracelets
Just wished G shock's came standard with a combi bracelet.
There is at least one.
@@eeyyaakk6801 True. Got the steel square G Shock. And I am very pleased with the steel bracelet.
I just wish the Chinese company that make this combi bracelet improved the quality, metal centre pieces, spring bars etc. even at say $40 I am sure they would sell loads.
I recieved a springbar tool in the box with my Hamilton Pan Europ. I should have got one sooner. Makes it much more easy .
I’ll never understand why Casio sells separate bracelets at such truly insane prices…
They're re tarded
They probably rather you get a new watch instead of fix it, thank the nines that 3rd party straps are pretty good for cheap too
For anyone trying to fit the Chinese combi bracelet on a GW-M5610, here's my experience.
I had to use a nail filer to shave a tiny bit of the plastic off the bracelet (the little horizontal surface that barely touches the metal case back) to make the strap hole go a little deeper to align with the lug holes.
I also bended the banana bars a little bit more with a pair of pilers and used those.
When filing try and keep it flat, the plastic is very soft it's super easy to shave 0.5mm off.
Don't try and force it in with, you cannot bend the spring bar enough this way for it to snap into the holes.
If you try to force it in too many times you will end up scraping some plastic off the watch, do not ruin your watch this way, afterall you're trying to improve the watch, not getting it done but ended up with a whole bunch of scratches on it.
Be patient, if you get a little too frustrated, stop and come back to it later.
I think this bracelet might fit other watch models easier, but for the M5610 it's a bit of a pain. Good luck
That spring bar tool looks like the one that came with my Baltany A-11 style watch.
It looks great on the gw6900. Didn’t know it fits on that watch.
I’ve been looking into getting one of these for weeks now, thank you so much for uploading this video!
I found an eBay seller in California. He was charging a dollar or two higher than the price if I ordered the bracelets from China but the shipping was faster. And, as I said in the video, he included extra spring bars so that was very nice.
Greg Anderson - The Good Timekeeper I think I actually found the same seller you purchased yours from and just placed my order. I hope mine is of decent quality as yours appeared to be. Thanks again!
@@TD-kb4ts I know its been a while but you got a link to that seller from California? Thanks!
The curved spring bars make it possible to use thick NATOs.
You should add a $25 jays and jays metal bracelet to your collection. It’s much heavier than the Oem combi bracelets but it’s cheaper. You will need the lug adapters. The final setup is quite nice.
Hallo Greg, my Chinese bracelet arrived yesterday from Alieexpress. It was tight, I tried to get it to fit on my GW-M5610. No way, I could get it on there. After an hour of true frustration, I was able to mount it on an older WV200E. I do like the look of this cheap replacement, it was under 10 euro and came with the extra springbar tool and springbars. Maybe ordering new 16mm curved springbars would be the answer to my problem here!
Thanks for the video.
There are two sizes of the Chinese bracelet. I bought two of the titanium ones because the first one wouldn’t fit the 5610, so I put a 5000 on it and ordered another. I ordered the carbon fiber / titanium back g shock and it fit that one fine, plus that one meant I had a titanium band, case, and back.
I buy all my aftermarket G/shock parts from Aliexpress! Casio are giving ppl the finger with their outrageous prices on parts! I've seen better combi bracelets on Ali that use metal center links and have G/shock on the clasp.
I put this on my gw5610 a year ago and have had no problems at all. Mine also has G Shock on the clasp.
I don't mind buying well made after market combi bracelets or other watch parts as long as they don't have any company logos. That's just piracy and I won't buy them no matter how cheap they are.
@@YourSoulDriver you gotta chill nancy drew this wouldnt have happened if casio didnt make it so darn hard to buy so expensive like why casio i still would buy a mini duro tho
The Combi bracelet really nice I wanted to get one till I seen the price tag, Casio wanted about $145 last I checked. I decided to go to Jay’s and Kay’s route and get their Metal bracelet and Metal adapters for around $40, It gets here sometime next week 👍
You won't be disappointed. And I included an another adapter for using a NATO bands.
Enjoy.
@@jmcafee1959 Thank you man, I’m excited can’t wait lol
I’ve had a Jays and Kays strap in my eBay cart for a few days already. Just waiting for all the post-Christmas dust to settle and then I’ll follow through. And, of course, after that happens you can expect a video from me.
Thank you for this video.
Greg, as another poster stated, try out the Jays&Kays metal strap adapters. They make the G absolutely disappear on your wrist once you find a nato you like.
I have a Jays and Kays adapter with straps on order. So you can expect a video fairly soon.
Blue Loctite on the knurling of the pin only. No problems.
The reason the bracelet fits differently on the GW-6900 and the GW-M5610 is that the lug to lug distance is several millimeters longer on the GW-6900.
I see that you’re correct about that. I also discovered that my wrists are slightly different sizes and, now that it’s so cold this time of year, both wrists seem a bit smaller than in the summer. So I may have to fiddle with these a bit. Fortunately, the pins are easy to remove and replace.
@@GoodTimekeeper My wrists change size from season to season and also from day to day. I prefer bracelets that have a tool-free micro-adjust feature, but unfortunately these are not as common as I'd like.
I just received my aftermarket combi bracelet. It came with straight spring pins, but the shipper also included two slightly bent pins and a note that reads "please use these banana springs instead of the factory supplied pins. This is our suggestion based on 40 years experience." Have you ever heard of using bent pins instead of straight pins?
Edit: I think I see why. The bent pins helped make for a slightly easier install than the straight pins. Man, the factory pins popped out easily but installing the new pins gave me carpal tunnel LOL
@@ADubTheGrizzy where did you order to get the bent pins?
@@jolleyjoe ebay
Top Video!🙂
Great Combi Bracelet Demo.
I think for the Cheaper resin Casio's like DW-5600BB-1 and alike I would purchase the aftermarket Bracelet. For the life of me I can't understand how a cheap original Casio Combi Bracelet can be So expensive but something tells me, the Casio Name has something to do with it 🤔.
If I'm going to pay $200 for the watch and then have to pay $120 for the bracelet, I'm better off going with the Metal G shocks with Bluetooth. You can find some out there at really good prices and in pretty mint condition with all original belongings.
I bought a cheaper Blacked out "DW-5600BB-1" "Batman" looking Model and got a pretty good deal on it new for $49.99 for that one. Let's hope it's not a fake 🤥
For this Model I will order the Cheaper Aftermarket Bracelet and I will leave it inside my truck so I never have to worry forgetting a watch. Put it on in the truck and take it off in the truck.
Thanks again for the video.
Excellent clip! Really considering getting one of these bracelets for my GWB5600AR1 (you got a great review on that one too 😁). The battery on that one just keeps staying at half charge. Kept wearing it on sunny days... I guess it's not really a problem but was curious what it would take for it to get to full charge. It was half-charged when I got it. Happy New Year and thanks!
The GW6900 in this video was at “mid” charge earlier this month. I put it in direct sunlight for about an hour and it went up to high but, later that evening, it went back to “mid”. I tried the sunlight thing again the next day and it was the same way. The third time, I left it near a window for several hours in the sun and then it finally stayed at high charge. I’m guessing the sun just isn’t at intense up here in the north right now... and maybe I didn’t give it enough time to charge. Either way, it’s perfectly fine now.
I've been looking at getting some casio related stuff from aliexpress.
How are those cheaper combi bracelets holding up Greg? Considering giving it a try.
please include links to bracelets. can't find them myself
Good request
Here’s one eBay listing... ships from China... www.ebay.com/itm/Watch-Strap-Steel-Plastic-Band-Belt-For-G-shock-DW-6900-9600-5600-GW-M5610-Watch-/402486153840
And this one ships from California... www.ebay.com/itm/Resin-Composite-watch-band-fits-Casio-DW-6900-W9600-DW5600-GW-M5610-bracelet-/224174643388
Hi, Nice video Do you know if these bracelets would fit into the Casio DW5750 E ? Thanks !
A long overdue question for Greg and anybody else in the know. I'd like to put my G-shock GA 2100 1AER on a combi-bracelet but all I can find are metal bracelets with replacement metal housing/bezel things are there alternatives using casio or casio style combi bracelets?
Cool video buddy!!!
Where do you get those white watch pads, that the watches fit on please? I am after some for my collection.
Kind thanks, Nick.
I ordered some watch cases from Amazon and some though eBay and they were all the same. Pretty good quality and not expensive. You can get them in different sizes, so maybe one that holds 6 watches, another that holds 12, another that holds 24. They have a little slot for each watch and the “pillow” for each slot.
Here’s one example but there are lots of others... www.amazon.com/dp/B019JSKNVO/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_Hht8FbRP209RM
The LCD on these solar-powered seems a little bit faded/less contrast compare to non-solar LCD?
I really don’t see that.
So, Greg, approachng 14 months later. How have they held up? 😄
They’re like brand new. Two reasons for that: I have a habit of being very gentle with any watch which has a bracelet (compared to a resin band). And the other reason is that I rotate the watches I wear so, because I have so many, these don’t get a lot of general wear-and-tear anyway. So, I can make a follow-up video but there still isn’t much to report yet.
@@GoodTimekeeper Have you found any of the pins to walk at all and protrude out either side of the links?
Is it a bad idea to disengage spring bars by placing a dulled pin into the holes?
I would simply say that you can find some sets of not-half-bad watch tools online for very, very low prices. Unless there’s a reason you just CANNOT wait a few days for a package to arrive then try to be careful. But when I started getting the right tools for these tasks it felt soooo good.
Is there a Chinese Bracelet like this for the AWG-M100 ? I have only seen Original Casio versions offered from $135 to $175 from Scotland or Russia on Ebay.
I haven’t been able to find more than you have for the AWGM100. And I’m also puzzled why these (for the AWGM100) are primarily available from Scotland and Russia, of all places. Pacparts (in California) says they can get this (for the AWGM100) in a few weeks but it would cost less to go through Scotland, apparently. I may have to give that a try
@@GoodTimekeeper I am not willing to pay twice as much for the Casio bracelet as I did for the watch new from Amazon. An after market sub $20 version would be preferable. I even like the push pins over the all spring bar Casio system.
I’m a big fan of the AWGM100. Meanwhile, the Squares are a lot more popular. So I guess that’s why there are lots of third-party products for the Squares and not much for the AWGM100. I’ll get the combi bracelet for one of the AWGM100 watches but I probably won’t get more than that, just because of the price.
I found a rsin combi bracelet on eBay BUT the watches listed do not include the GAWs I have accumulated - not are any dimensions listed. I will inquire of the vendor.
One vendor. 0___0
Canadian
So far I ask not aware of any third-party bracelets for the GAW watches. I wonder if Jays and Kays ever made something as an adapter.
@@GoodTimekeeper JaysAndKays 24mm Strap 16mm lug GShock Adapters Kit & Tool for Casio G-Shock ??? The 16mm inner protrusion sounds sorta' right. (Says the guy with a 1920's inch micrometer.)
how well did it hold up? did i miss the follow up video?
I need to do a follow-up. I haven’t been very rough with the two watches that now have this bracelet. But I also treat the watches which use genuine Casio bracelets a bit more gently than the ones with the more common resin bands. As for these 3rd party bracelets, they still feel very lightweight and that makes it seem like they’re not going to be as tough as they should’ be. But what can I say? They’re still working perfectly well.
Do these fit the Casioak(GA-2100) as well?
I see another one which looks very similar (available through eBay) which says it will fit the GA-2100. But the one in this video was sold specifically for G-Shock Squares and 6900 models.
The TOP IDEAL Casio (made in Japan) would be a GW5000U-1JF (here's where I need help, info) and a Casio "authentic" resin band. I, who own Rolexes, JLC Reverso's, Omega's, and all the blueblood Swiss brands, started buying Casio's for accuracy, practicality, and stealthy nature. I visited my dermatologist who noted my Rolex S/white gold... he respectfully noted it and suggested keeping a lower profile! I, who am retired, a licensed pharmacist, a master's in public health, business administration need to hide my rings? I don't watch much television, was angry... crime is going to diminish my quality of life, athletes, many of whom I grew up with, don't wear their rings.... In sum, my hope is CASIO will come out with a decent, resin, titanium bracelet...? Can anyone suggest a resin (like Uncle Seiko) bracelet that this old man can enjoy without having some SOB cut off my arm? Please advise IMHO... God help us all.
I don't mind buying well made after market combi bracelets or other watch parts as long as they don't have any company logos. That's just piracy and I won't buy them no matter how cheap they are.
I have seen pictures of these 3rd party bracelets with the name Casio or “G-Shock” on them. I was glad that the ones I ordered don’t have that. The metal bezel and bracelet kit I got for my G-Shock “King” does say G-Shock on it but I couldn’t find any metal bezel kits for that watch which didn’t. And Casio never made its own metal version of that watch.
It will fail
I will let you know when that happens but, so far, it’s not that bad.
If you love your G,s......Treat them with the genuine article !!!......And not a fake Chinese copy.....Especially hate the fake items with the G-Shock logo on the Clasp !!!!!!!