At 12 o’clock, we have the text ”G-Shock”, at 6 o’clock the text ”Protection”. The four other texts refer to the functions of the buttons which are placed just to the side of it, which is of course helpful when you are operating it. At 2 o’clock, it has the ”light”, at 4 o’clock ”start”, at 8 o’clock ”Mode”, and at 10 o’clock ”Adjust”. That way, you’ll know immediately which button does what. I have small hands and a relatively narrow 6.5” wrist – not the best place to put a large, chunky watch.
Overall, it simply looks classier than other analog-digital G-Shock models in the same price range. The hour markers are large and clear rectangles with easy to read hour and minute hands. Of course, there is no second hand as this is taken care of by the digital display. That is done using a unique angled screen between 3 and 6 o’clock and helps you control all the other functions. As I mentioned previously, the time may be difficult to read at night using the analog hands, but the digital display solves this problem. A small light can be activated that perfectly illuminates the digital display and provides enough light to adequately read the time using the handset.
After all, black hands and indices against a black dial aren’t the best combinations if you’re looking for legibility. This variant of the GA-2100 flies under the radar with a stealthed-out aesthetic featuring greyed hands against a dial that looks like it was 3D printed. But don’t worry, this is a G-Shock after all, and you can still display the time on the digital screen.
So how does this sub-$100 watch manage to charm like the best of them? To start, it’s the thinnest G-Shock currently in production. The case is 11.8mm tall, and even more, it wraps around the wrist in a way that makes it feel even thinner. Its plastic case is practically weightless if you’re used to wearing an even a modestly proportioned 316L case.
If you can do without radio sync and Bluetooth, this is the G-Shock to buy. If you have had any experience with a resin-cased G-Shock, there aren’t going to be any surprises here. The matte black case and strap have the feel of rubber but don’t feel cheap.