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Since their release back in 2019, G-Shock 'CasiOak' watches have gained somewhat of a cult following among Casio and watch fans alike. With their sleek, compact and simplistic design, these G-Shock watches offer something new for the brand. While they still embody all the same values synonymous with the G-Shock brand including their promise of tough and enduring timepieces with maximum durability, the GA-2100 Series purposely breaks down the notion that the Japanese brand's models are always oversized and overexaggerated in their design.
As a result, the G-Shock 'CasiOak' is a favourite among those with a penchant for watches that are not only extremely hard-wearing but also boast a fairly pared-back design that was built for a contemporary and minimalist style. Affectionately nicknamed the 'CasiOak' by watch enthusiasts due to its unique octagonal bezel that was heavily influenced by the luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet and their hugely-popular Royal Oak collection, the CasiOak highlights the G-Shock brand spirit and their strive for innovation. This desire to innovate continues with the release of the Casio subsidy brand's all-new G-Shock CasiOak Solar watches.
With people becoming more and more conscious about the products they consume and their impact on the world around us, the need for solar watches has never been greater. So, it was only a matter of time before the 39-year-old watch brand jumped on the bandwagon, using the GA-B2100-1A series as a springboard for their venture into the solar watch market. The end result is a new and improved design fused with cutting-edge technologies that beautifully complements the lifestyle of today.
Find out how in our overview of these all-new G-Shock watches below!
How The G-Shock 'CasiOak' Solar (G-Shock GA-B2100-1A) Series Differs From The G-Shock GA-2100 Series
Combining G-Shock's signature shock resistance with tough solar power technology, the GA-B2100-1A series' features are spectacular in so many ways. For one, the G-Shock watch's powerful solar movement can operate for upwards of seven months without regular exposure to light and a further eighteen months in total darkness with the power-saving function enabled. These watches even have the ability to be charged by any kind of light source whether it be the natural sunlight your watch is exposed to while you are driving or when it just sitting idle under a bedroom lamp.
Another way the G-Shock GA-B2100-1A differs from the initial G-Shock 'CasiOak' models is the inclusion of Bluetooth. The Bluetooth capabilities in these models enable the wearer to pair their G-Shock up to their Smartphone device and utilise a whole slew of functions. From helping you automatically set the time and calibrate your G-Shock to one of 300 world time cities to helping your set reminders, observe your watch's battery health and even locate your misplaced phone, the GA-B2100-1A's mobile link has all the functions you could need when navigating a tech-focused world. But its functions don't stop there as this watch is also equipped with a Super Illuminator LED, countdown timers, a stopwatch and countdown timer, five daily alarms as well as an hourly time signal.
Dial & Case
While many believe a lot of the inspiration for these G-Shock models comes from the highly-coveted Audemars Piguet 'Royal Oak', the brand actually inherited the concept of this model's unique dial and case from its very-own AW-500 series. First released in 1989, the G-Shock AW-500 was the brand's first model to include an analogue dial. Adopting various elements of G-Shock's 1983 DW-5000 series, the design concept of the AW-500 series was to make it appear as though it had been carved out of a single block of resin, essentially stripping into down to the bare bones and removing design elements that were not necessary for the watch to function effectively. This concept worked so well that the watch instantly became a favourite among lovers of the brand and timepiece lovers alike.
When G-Shock released the GA-2100 series in 2019 and most recently their new GA-B2100-1A solar series, they utilised the framework of the AW-500 and DW-500 in order to revive this pared-back concept. The re-envisioned octagonal resin case and Ana-Digi dial borrow from the timeless aesthetic of the two original 1980s watches while also taking advantage of revolutionary new technologies including the brand's signature carbon core structure. G-Shock's carbon core structure. G-Shock's carbon core watches have a structure that provides the wearer with over three extra layers of protection. Capitalising on the toughness and lightness of G-Shock watches, this structure allows the G-Shock CasiOak series the ability to withstand even the toughest of blows. By combining all of these aspects together, the case and dial of the G-Shock CasiOak solar watch models are not only exceptionally timeless but incredibly lightweight and hardwearing.
Strap
Adorned with a flexible and carefree resin strap that is adjustable, the G-Shock GA-B2100's seamless design offers quality over quantity in the sense that is incredibly comfortable, lightweight and durable but not at all bulky. This means that the wearer can sport this piece without the worry that it is going to get in the way of everyday life tasks, especially if they are someone who works with their hands. The adjustable strap also offers the wearer flexibility, because, unlike other G-Shock watches that are considerably larger in size and therefore only suitable as a men's watch, the GA-B2100 has a much thinner band and has the potential to pass as a women's watch.
Specifications
- Carbon/Resin Case & Bezel
- Resin Band
- Shock Resistance
- Carbon Core Guard Structure
- 200-metre Water Resistance
- Tough Solar Battery & Movement
- Mobile Link (Wireless Bluetooth)
- Auto Time Adjustment via Casio Watches app
- World Time
- 1/100-second Stopwatch
- Countdown Timer
- 5-Daily Alarms
- Hourly Time Signal
- Super Illumination LED
- Full-auto Calendar
- Powersaving Mode
- +/- 15 Seconds Per Month Accuracy
- 12/24-hour Format
- Date/Month Display Swapping
- Day Display
- Regular Timekeeping
- Ana-Digi Dial
Final Thoughts
Although the G-Shock CasiOak solar watch doesn't stray from the original G-Shock GA-2100 first released in 2019, it can be agreed upon the tough solar movement and Bluetooth capabilities are a welcome upgrade. Particularly as the world moves in a direction that not only aims to be more energy efficient but also technological efficient. We are so attuned to our smartphones and utilise them for just about anything from sending and receiving emails to turning on the lights in our homes, so it only makes sense that our watches are also calibrated to our devices.
And while the design is remarkably similar to the 2019 models, one can't argue with the timelessness of the GA-B2100's facade and the great amount of versatility that these unisex watches offer. Available in vibrant yellow, enchanting green, dapper blue, sleek charcoal and classic black, whether you are running errands, burning calories at the gym, only daily grind at the office or immersing yourself in the great outdoors, rest assured that you will get plenty of wear out of this stylish and lightweight creation.
