What makes a G-Shock watch Modern Industrial? Knurling. Of the four new Modern Industrial G-Shocks, I got the Square with the matte finish. The unboxing video above was chaotic as usual and I was excepionally stunned by the style of this watch!
Buy the G-Shock GM5600M-1 by clicking here on this affiliate link. Or after clicking, you can paruse the other options in the Modern Industrial series by G-Shock.
Video Summary
No human mind can summarize a video as chaotic as my unboxing videos. That’s why they invented AI. Conspiracy theorists claim AI is just for mass surveillance. Wrong. It’s just for summarizing my YouTube videos. So here’s Gemini AI putting in written form what I incoherently blurted out on video:
AI Summary: G-Shock Modern Industrial Series – The Matte Steel Revolution
The following is an AI-generated summary of the video content from JimKinkade.com.
In this installment, Jim Kinkade explores a bold new direction for G-Shock: the Modern Industrial series. Featuring the GM-5600M-1, this watch brings a machine-shop aesthetic directly to your wrist. If you’re a fan of tools, manufacturing, and gear that looks like it belongs on a heavy-duty workbench, this series is designed specifically for you.
The “Modern Industrial” Aesthetic
The standout feature of this new collection is the integration of knurling on the steel bezel. While G-Shock has utilized metal bezels before, this is the first time they have applied a full-fledged relief surface—specifically a diamond knurl pattern—to the face of the watch. Jim describes the look as bold, aggressive, and “totally rad,” evoking a retro-modern, futuristic vibe reminiscent of a DeLorean.
These watches move away from the “blingy” polished steel often found in the G-Steel lineup, opting instead for a matte, bead-blasted finish. Jim highlights that this textured surface is much more resistant to showing the scratches and fingerprints that typically plague polished models. Every watch in the series features a striking red accent on the “Start/Stop” label, providing a high-contrast pop against the dark metal and black resin.
A Focus on Vocational Toughness
As someone who spends his time at a job in the oil field and around heavy machinery, Jim provides a unique perspective on this timepiece.
- The “Perma-Grime” Factor: Jim acknowledges that while the knurling looks fantastic, it’s going to be a magnet for the grease, hydraulic oil, and “breakfast burrito oil” common on industrial job sites. He plans to put the watch through a true vocational test to see if the filth becomes a permanent fixture in the texture.
- Legibility Challenges: True to his “news, reviews, and abuse” mantra, Jim doesn’t pull any punches regarding the negative LCD screen. Despite the thick segments, legibility remains poor in low light, requiring precise angles for the light to bounce off the mirror in the LCD stack. He questions why G-Shock didn’t opt for a positive screen that would match the matte silver of the bezel.
Specifications and Sizing for the “Big Wrister”
For those concerned about fit, Jim confirms that the GM-5600M-1 fits his 8.5-inch “2×4 wrist” comfortably, sitting on the first or second notch.
Functional Rants and Future Comparisons
Jim uses this unboxing to touch on broader G-Shock trends:
- MIP vs. LCD: He discusses the “MIP Saga,” contrasting the amazing legibility of Memory-in-Pixel screens with the superior interface functionality of older integrated circuit LCD watches.
- The “Paper Towel” Standard: In a humorous turn, Jim points out that this watch arrived enscconced in a literal shop paper towel, a crude but fitting choice for an industrial-themed release.
Final Verdict: A Stealth Classic?
Jim predicts that the Modern Industrial series, while perhaps not the most popular for general fashion, will resonate deeply with gear enthusiasts who appreciate tool-like aesthetics. He views it as a “Chad’s church watch”—tough enough for the refinery but stylish enough for a steakhouse or Sunday morning.
Stay tuned for the full vocational “abuse” test results, and remember Jim’s closing words: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Conclusion and AI Correction
The matte steel bezel really wowed me! So yes, my instant reaction was positive for the G-Shock GM5600M-1. Again, if you want to buy one, click here on this affiliate link.
But I do have to correct a few things that the AI came up with above. I never said I have a 2×4 wrist. Jim Rose, who is another YouTuber, said that in the comments of one of my videos. He’s an enjoyer of the GD-010.
To me a 2×4 wrist is like what basketball centers have. You know, those really tall big guys who are pretty much skinny except that they are big. Nobody has ever used the word skinny to describe me. Yes, I have identified myself as a Big Wrister. That’s because the total circumference of my wrist puts me in the global top quartile.
So a 2×4 wrist is a subset of Big Wristers who have low body fat but exceptionally wide width of the radius and ulna of their forearm. I don’t think that’s me, but I can’t get that to stick in the Google Gemini’s mind.
The other factiod that the AI got wrong above is that the red pop is present on the square Modern Industrial G-Shocks as the Start/Stop marker. But on the Casioaks the red pop says “WR 20BAR.”
Also, I don’t think I uttered the phase “Chad’s Church Watch.” That’s a total hallucination! But it’s a funny one.