Alright, let’s talk about this G-Shock project I got myself into. It wasn’t about buying some super expensive limited edition, not really. I saw some pictures online, these G-Shocks gleaming like they were solid metal, almost platinum looking. Of course, the real deal costs a fortune, way out of my league.
But the idea stuck in my head. That tough G-Shock look, but shiny, metallic. I already had a trusty DW-5600, the classic square one. Been wearing it for ages. So, I thought, why not try and change it up myself? Give it that metal vibe without breaking the bank.
Getting Started
First thing, I went searching online. Needed a metal bezel and a matching bracelet. Found tons of options, mostly stainless steel, some polished, some brushed. I wanted that bright, almost white metal look, so I aimed for a polished stainless steel set. Took me a while to find one that looked decent quality in the pictures, you know? You read reviews, look at photos from other buyers. Placed the order and then, the waiting game began. Felt like forever for that little package to arrive from overseas.
The Actual Work
Package finally landed. Felt pretty hefty. Inside was the shiny bezel and the metal link bracelet. Looked good, felt solid. Now the slightly nervous part – taking my old G-Shock apart. It’s just four small screws holding the original resin bezel, but man, those things can be tiny. I got out my small screwdriver set. Carefully unscrewed them, making sure not to lose them. Popped the old black bezel off. Then the resin strap, that uses spring bars. Pushed those out with a little tool.
Okay, watch module exposed. Looked kinda naked. Took the new metal bezel, lined it up. It clicked into place nicely. Put the screws back in. Didn’t overtighten them, just snug. That part was easier than I thought.
The bracelet was trickier. Had to attach it using new spring bars that came with the kit. Fiddled around a bit to get them seated correctly into the watch lugs. Then came sizing the bracelet. Had to remove a few links to get it to fit my wrist. Used the little pin-pushing tool that came with it. Pushed out the pins, removed links, put it back together. Took a few tries to get the size just right.
- Taking off the old resin parts.
- Screwing on the new metal bezel.
- Attaching the metal bracelet.
- Resizing the bracelet.
How It Turned Out
Stepped back and looked at it. Wow. It completely changed the watch. Felt heavy, substantial on the wrist compared to the light resin. The polished steel really catches the light. Looked way more expensive than it was. Felt pretty pleased with myself, honestly. Turned my beat-up G-Shock into something… different. Something cool.
Been wearing it for a few weeks now. It definitely feels different. Heavier, colder on the wrist initially. And yeah, polished metal shows scratches and fingerprints way easier than black resin. That’s the trade-off. But every time I glance at it, I get a little kick out of it. Knowing I put it together myself makes it feel more like my watch, you know? It’s not real platinum, not even close. But it’s my G-Shock, with a bit of shine, done my way. Totally worth the effort.
