The GA-2100’s slimmer case profile is matched by a strap that has been streamlined to match the rest of the watch’s proportions. This, in one sense, is a subtle difference, but changing up anything on a watch that has direct contact with your body will tend to have major consequences when it comes to real world wearability. What we have here is functionally a time only G-Shock – I have almost zero interest in becoming more comfortable with the little screen.
Those needing a more readable LCD display will be better off with another G-Shock, but will have to settle with either an all-digital model or a larger analog-digital one. Personally, I find the GA A1 to be a fine daily watch, but only if I’m using it for the sole purpose of telling the time. If I need to use the digital functions or need to check the time at night a lot, then I would prefer to use another G-Shock. (Other GA-2100 models would be better suited for nighttime use than the GA A1.) For me, the GA-2100 could never be my only watch, but I’m happy to have it as part of my small collection. On the left there is a retrograde style day of the week arc, followed by a two hand central analogue time display. The hands are black with dark grey lumed inners which really do beam a lot of light well after dark, something that truly surprised me.
It was by pure chance while wandering Schiphol airport in Amsterdam that I happened across one lonely G-Shock DW-6935C sitting in a shop display and immediately pounced. Synthetic resin is the ideal material for wrist straps thanks to its extremely durable and flexible properties. With a push of a button, hands are moving and permit a free visibility of functions like stopwatch or date. In the morning the watch would look great, but there are problems with the black ones at night you won’t be able to notice the time that quick enough until you are a true ‘Black’ Fanboys it won’t matter you much. Other than that though each and every perspective, the 2100A has impressed me a lot and I hope you too would be impressed.
Though the display is larger than a DW-5600, it wears very similarly, and I like to think of it as an analog-digital version of the DW-5600, but with a few more features. There is no doubt that the similarity has garnered the GA-2100 a lot of attention online, which gave it more publicity than other recent models. While it is definitely a distinctive bezel, it is a smaller and less obtrusive one than other G-Shock models. This gives the watch a more conservative look, while still retaining signature G-Shock elements with the case and band. The dial of the GA-2100 offers a refined style that isn’t too busy and looks both contemporary and timeless.
The backlight is a dial illumination that allows you to use this watch in the dark. There are a few features missing from the CasiOak that buyers are most likely going to be looking for. The most common question I was asked about this watch leading up to the review was whether it had radio sync and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Casio-owned brand has been around for a few decades and their design aesthetic is recognizable by many. The square-shaped cases are often chunky and rugged-looking, giving wearers a sense of security that bumps and scrapes won’t damage their G-Shocks. The GA A is a fresh take on the Casio G-Shock and one that has exploded in popularity amongst watch enthusiasts since it was released. It’s easy to see how people find charm in this watch, regardless if you are a fan of the G-Shock design or not. The watch looks extremely rugged and sporty, but at the same time, Casio has successfully given it a sleek and elegant look.
Something people have commented on is the thinness of this watch compared to other Gs and this is evident when you flip the watch to the side. I can only assume they have managed to retain the ruggedness of what makes a G-SHOCK a G-SHOCK while reducing the dimensions through the use of what is called Carbon Core Quad. A side effect of this is that for some reason the watch doesn’t sit properly on wrist sometimes, with the lugs and strap not quite having the same snug fit to the wrist, even when pulled almost uncomfortably tight. The watch is powered with a battery having a capacity of, of battery life! Firstly the watch has a very hard casing and is highly shock-resistant due to its core guard structure.
It’s too bad the G-SHOCK GA-2100 didn’t place lume dots near the indices. The on-board illumination button triggers both a back light for the digital screen and a LED for the analog display. The digital display is tiny in comparison to other models by Casio – you are not using this easily to track your run times or check the time in Moscow even if it is capable of both. The lume has also decided to take the stealth option, it’s there on the hands but it’s so faint and discreet it might be unnoticed 5 minutes after the light being switched off. The digi display has a light but this has a time limit so you will find yourself pressing it multiple times in order to read anything useful.
This shock and water-resistant watch features a stunning crystal clear case and band, while the white and black face creates some nice contrast. G-Shock’s usual suite of features, including a world clock, optional 24-hour time, and many more, are all here and accounted for, creating a rugged watch that will complement any look. At 9 o’clock, it also has an analog day display that displays the day of the week. Lastly, we have a digital display presented between about 3 and 6 o’clock. This digital display is integrated discreetly and blends in well with the dial. In addition, the watch has a world timer that allows you to change time zones with just a few button presses.
The GA-2100 form factor resembles the first G-Shock DW-5000C, but with a pronounced octagonal shape and more streamlined corners – this way the Japanese pay tribute to the glorious past of the high-impact direction. The carbon fiber that is used in the GA-2100 case makes the watch more durable and lighter, not to mention the case thickness of 11.8 mm – the series can be called the thinnest among all G-Shock with an analogue dial. An additional window shows the current day of the week, and more detailed information about the date can be viewed on the digital display. The set of features here is only basic , but they are enough for most everyday tasks. The watch features a recognizable octagon design first brought forth in the original DW-5000C.