A Review Of The Casio G-Shock GA-2100 "CasiOak" Watch

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For reasons that are beyond my control, I've noticed that my brain actively avoids complexity in almost every aspect of life. The concept of multi-tasking is a big no, and I always opt for the simplest user experiences whenever I can find them. This makes my preference for Apple computers, vintage single lens reflex cameras, and pour-over coffee makers less about snobbery than it is about simply striving for a less complicated existence.

So when it comes to watches, I've never quite understood the appeal of Casio's G-Shock line aside from their reputation for being nearly unbreakable. Subjectively speaking, many of their models seemed cluttered and overbuilt, with a strong emphasis on maximalist styling that I found visually overwhelming. This rigid opinion has held strong until recently, when I finally took note of the more understated G-Shock GA-2100 series.

Released in 2019, this mega popular hybrid timepiece marries the best aspects of the original tough as nails G-Shock DW-5000 released in 1983 with the analog-centric AW-500 which made its debut in 1989. Aptly nicknamed the "Casioak", the G-Shock GA-2100 is also reminiscent of the legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, as both watches share a striking octagonal bezel design. This being by far the prettiest G-Shock I've laid my eyes on, I figured now is the time to add one to my ever-growing watch addiction, er...collection.

Build Quality & Size

The G-Shock GA-2100 is interesting to behold in person, as there's an appreciable disconnect between how it looks in pictures and the way it feels in real life. At a modest 51 grams its weight is far less substantial than I expected. This is by no means a bad thing, but I would've preferred a little more heft to match its sophisticated dial.

The carbon / resin watch case measures in at 48.5 × 45.4 × 11.8 mm making it slightly on the larger end of the spectrum, but it's well balanced and doesn't exude bulkiness for the most part. One caveat to mention is that I consistently found the edge of the case bumping up against my hand in an uncomfortable manner whenever I'd tilt my wrist upwards. Normally I like to wear my watches a little loose, but I've resorted to tightening this strap an extra notch because of this tendency.

That minor annoyance aside, the G-Shock GA-2100 is quite enjoyable to wear. The resin band provides ample ventilation so there's no sweat build up to worry about, and I find myself checking the time often just to catch a glimpse of its beautiful metallic gold face. Speaking of the face, the watch crystal is made of mineral glass and sits just below the bezel for additional defense from scratches.

This wouldn't be a G-Shock without some seriously robust protection, and fortunately the GA-2100 doesn't deviate from this design philosophy. The star of the show here is G-Shock's patented Carbon Core Guard technology which adds shock resistance to the module via a carbon fiber reinforced resin case. Rounding out the rugged construction is an impressive 200 meters of water resistance, making this watch a reliable choice for adverse weather conditions.

Features

Despite its more minimalist design, the G-Shock GA-2100 is equipped with all of the essential features you'd expect in a digital watch. This includes must-haves such as a 1/100th second stopwatch, full auto calendar, 5 daily alarms + hourly time signal, mute button, and the time remains accurate to ±15 seconds per month. The watch is powered by dual SR726W cells which provide an average battery life of three years.

One of my favorite features carried over from the Casio AE-1200 is the World Time function, which is invaluable when traveling. This allows you to quickly toggle between 31 timezones with the press of a button, and can even adjust for daylight savings time as needed.

For illuminating the watch face in low light environments, the G-Shock GA-2100 sports a double LED setup that can be configured in either 1.5 or 3 second increments. There's a backlight for the digital display, and the surrounding analog face relies on a broad light from under the bezel. This implementation isn't nearly as nice as the amber light found on the Casio AE-1200, but it's still a significant step up from the Casio F-91W's horrible LED.

You'll be needing to use the LED function often because unfortunately the digital display is not only small, but it's often barely legible in anything but optimal lighting. It isn't all bad news though, because the analog display incorporates Neobrite hands which glow brightly in the dark after being exposed to sunlight or artificial light sources. Furthermore, the days of the week dial is a nice touch by adding an elegant balance to what would otherwise feel like competing displays.

Setting up a digital watch can seem daunting with all of the different features available, but I found that this helpful video really simplifies the process. And on the topic of adjusting the functions on the G-Shock GA-2100, while I adore how the hands conveniently get out of the way to provide a clear view of the digital display when setting the time, I am far less thrilled with the recessed buttons which are difficult to press without some intentional extra force.

Pros

• Tough and rugged construction
• Lightweight
• 200m water resistance is impressive
• A full featured digital watch with all of the essentials included
• Watch face is very beautiful and made of scratch resistant mineral glass
• Available in several attractive colorways

Cons

• Recessed buttons require significant effort to press
• Digital display can be difficult to see in indoor spaces
• Edge of watch case has a tendency to bump up against hand when flexing wrist upwards

Verdict

The GA-2100 is a charming timepiece that's very easy to like. This iconic bestseller fills a unique void in the watch marketplace thanks to an elegant design paired with the underpinnings of what has made Casio's G-Shock line such an enduring triumph in the first place. It's lightweight, built like a tank, water resistant to 200 meters, and the analog-digital hybrid display is gorgeous.

Having said that, it's clearly not perfect either. The LED lights are merely satisfactory, the digital display can be hard to read in certain situations, and the recessed buttons make simple function changes somewhat of a chore. Also, if like me you enjoy wearing your watches a bit loose, you may find that the protruding edges restrict wrist movement when your arm is hanging by your side.

These gripes are easy to overlook however, when you consider that the overall experience of wearing it is nothing short of gratifying. It has a playful and fashionable quality that I find irresistible whenever I'm looking down at it. Watches should be both eye-catching and fun, and the G-Shock GA-2100 easily ticks both of those boxes.