And perhaps that’s the most important factor of all in explaining the GA-2100’s success. Many of us harbour warm feelings towards the G-Shock because it is a watch we grew up with – possibly, even, the first watch we ever owned. So, a G-Shock that one can wear unironically whether you’re into watches, streetwear or – as is increasingly the case – both?
The dials share a common design and are uncomplicated with the lower right quarter given over to a digital timekeeping unit and the area around the nine-hour showing the day via a pointer. The analogue hands on both models are large and lume coated. I found the digital functions such as world time, stopwatch, and timer useless. The screen is so small that it’s impossible to read while running. It’s so small that Casio used a trick by tapping the “C & B” buttons to temporarily rotate the hands out of the way.
By far the most distinguishing feature for the CasiOak is the octagon-shaped bezel. It’s done in a soft way that’s not too angular or awkward. The GA-2100SU-A1JF is my favorite variation with a screen-printed baby g shock camouflage pattern on top of the bezel. Fueled by the hashtag, the GA A1 quickly snowballed in social media popularity. By the time that hype-train rolled to a stop, they were all sold out.
Two years ago I had on a mechanical watch for my season debut on the road and crashed in a roundabout at 30mph. That watch needed a re-casing, but the Casioak can take some punishment and, if too damaged, just pop on another shroud and strap set. Fashion in-jokes have a short half-life, yet this piece has stuck around, even after it became clear the similarity wasn’t intentional. The shape first appeared on the original DW5000 and we have used the motif many times ever since.” So too have many other brands over the decades.
An attractive, minimalist feature analog/digital G-SHOCK that puts a traditional spin on classic Square aesthetics. A smart brand extension that’s entranced both G-SHOCK fans and traditional watch enthusiasts. The G-SHOCK GA-2100 doesn’t all the digital bells and whistles associated with the brand. It’s form-follows-function minimalism combined with G-SHOCK durability, reliability and rugged good looks.
I loved watching the hand automatically rotate. It offers a long list of features, is robust and robust, has a 200m water resistance certification. Plus, it fits a wide range of wrist sizes comfortably. It’s one of the brand’s few models that may be used in a range of circumstances. This is the G-Shock to get if you don’t need radio sync or Bluetooth. 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.
The office is not the office anymore, and while we might long for suiting up again to impress colleagues with our sharp taste in tailoring, this is not the time. The now discontinued two/tone grey G-Shock GA-2100ET-8A matches damn well with some grey cotton sweatpants, strategically worn with a more formal navy merino knit for those Zoom meetings. For a G-Shock, it feels slender at 45mm and with a short 48.5mm lug to lug and no weight, it’s a perfect daily wearer. The bonus is the clever world time mode allowing me to keep up with the editorial team in Melbourne while being locked down here in Norway. While I love mechanical watches, this is just an understated, feather-light presence that does its job quietly.
Finishing on the kit is also very nicely done with the same vertical brushing from the top of the bezel through to the butterfly clasp on the bracelet. The sides of the bezel are well polished, and the bezel screws are polished baby g shock and all perfectly aligned and seated. Overall it’s tough to fault the quality of this kit. The 316L stainless steel case and bracelet and good finishing should be hard to get wrong, so thankfully, Jinshu didn’t!
Enter the Casio G-SHOCK GA-2100 or “Casioak” as it has come to be known. This very wearable G-SHOCK was a huge hit last year, and it didn’t take long for the modding community to fill in a pretty apparent gap in the Casioak line up. The GA-2100 series of watches was such a hit at points last year that supply couldn’t keep up, and these were trading hands for well over the RRP of £99.
I’m not so sure I’d use that term (although itseems like low-hanging fruit to do so). I think this is just something very different that remains comfortably familiar. Comparing my resin GA-2100 side-by-side with the GM-2100 is an odd experience. One looks g shock watch rugged and approachable; the other looks futuristic and strangely elegant. The GM-2100, therefore, leaps out at me as the perfect watch for a seasoned Casio collector looking for a model in the same canon that can be worn easily in more formal situations.