Casio launches new feature-loaded GBX-H5600KI-5 collab with heart rate monitor and MIP LCD

Casio doesn't hand just anyone four signature G-Shocks, and among individual athletes, almost no one has earned that many. Kanoa Igarashi is one of the rare exceptions: Olympic silver medalist, four-time G-Shock collaborator, and one of the most recognizable surfers alive. The new GBX-H5600KI-5 is the latest result of that partnership, and it's arguably the most capable watch Igarashi has put his name on.

The previous three were the GLX-5600KI-7, GBX-100KI-1, and GLX-5600KB-1 — all solid G-Lide surf watches. This one is different, however. The GBX-H5600 is where G-Lide meets G-Squad, meaning Casio has thrown a heart rate monitor, blood oxygen measurement, sleep tracking, and Polar-powered training analysis into a watch that still knows its tide graphs and moon phases. It's a lot for something you wear into the ocean, but in a good way.

The design is inspired from Ericeira, the Portuguese surf town Igarashi trains at regularly. The dark brown marbled casing is a neat reference to the town's rocky cliffs; the purple accent text reflects what locals call the "magic hour," that brief window before dawn when the sky casts a purple-ish hue over the water. The carbon-reinforced case back shaves 18 grams off the predecessor's weight, which might not seem that significant, but it matters when you're paddling out.

Personal details are also visible throughout: his signature sits below the display, his WSL bib number "50" is printed on the lower strap, and the watch ships in special ocean-themed packaging. "Igarashi" in Japanese roughly translates to "a storm that strikes once in 50 years," which explains the number on there.

Expected price outside of Japan should be around $310, based on the current Japanese price tag of 50,600 JPY. Release date is unconfirmed — all we know is that it'll come out in July itself. 

In the meantime, you can check out the Casio GBX100-1 on Amazon.