Japanese watchmaker G-Shock has constructed a status for rugged, sporty, inexpensive, quartz watches.
Starting with the square-shaped DW-5000C in 1983, G-Shock has supplied industry-leading shock resistance (and just about indestructible watches) — relied on by shoppers and professionals all over the world — ever since. These values proceed with the extension of the favored modern G-Shock GA-2100 assortment, launched in 2019, with its distinctive octagonal (non-square) case form, unofficially recognized by Casio trustworthy because the “CasiOak.”
Along with being sturdy, Casio manufactures a few of its watches with state-of-the-art timekeeping applied sciences similar to radio-controlled atomic, GPS, and Bluetooth, which ship unbelievable ranges of precision that few can match. Many G-Shock watches additionally provide photo voltaic charging. Some even provide coronary heart charge, blood oxygen, thermometer, altimeter, barometer, and compass measurements. The all-new G-Metal GM2110D doesn’t have any of those bells and whistles but nonetheless maintains the standard G-Shock accouterments, similar to a stopwatch, countdown timer, alarms, world time, perpetual calendar a high-brightness double LED mild, and extra.
Even with out high-tech options similar to automated radio-controlled or Bluetooth timekeeping to sync your watch, G-Shock watches ship excessive accuracy with out help. The brand new G-Metal GM2110D is an ideal instance, with a exact charge of -15/+15 seconds per thirty days. It’s price noting that many mechanical watches attempt to ship this degree of accuracy per day, not to mention over a 30-day interval. If you need cellular phone-level precision, right down to the second, you’ll have to go together with a Bluetooth-equipped mannequin.
Casio’s “Powerful Photo voltaic” charging is a pleasant characteristic that retains your watch totally charged so long as it periodically receives synthetic or pure daylight, nonetheless, naturally, like Bluetooth, that comfort prices extra. Powering the Japanese-made quartz module 5611 are two SR726W batteries that last as long as 3 years. Which means no charging is required in any respect. You’ll want to switch them periodically, which is without doubt one of the best providers a watch technician or watchmaker can do (and you are able to do it your self simply). And bear in mind, there’s a purpose so many navy, police, hearth, and different professionals depend on G-Shocks within the subject: they’re rugged and dependable, even with no cell phone sign.
Casio has superior manufacturing processes to provide enticing semi-translucent watch dials that allow in mild to recharge the ability on photo voltaic fashions. Nonetheless, when manufacturing the dial on the brand new G-Metal GM2110D — which doesn’t characteristic solar energy — the designers have fewer technical restraints and might due to this fact create a traditional-looking dial, such because the sunburst dials seen on all 5 fashions of the GM2110D. The extremely legible dial additionally gives outstanding indices, giant analog hour and minute fingers, an analog day-of-the-week hand (not cluttered with quite a few features), and a digital multi-function subdial.
Launched final month, the all-new G-Metal GM2110D assortment consists of 5 new variations of the octagonal-shaped 2100 Collection, all with chrome steel bracelets, and at costs considerably underneath what the Full Steel GMB2100 Collection begins at. A number of the extra premium options seen on watches just like the Full Steel GMB2100, have been omitted, such because the Bluetooth and photo voltaic performance (as talked about above). Nonetheless, regardless of Casio using a much less premium bracelet manufacturing approach (which I’ll talk about beneath), in comparison with the complete metallic, the bezel, high, and sides of the case are solid from a single block of chrome steel, just like the costlier Full Steel variations. Finally the inside case just isn’t as sturdy, however you’re nonetheless getting a stainless-steel mannequin for $250 much less.
The bracelet is created with a folded (stamped) manufacturing methodology, which is usually not most popular in comparison with a solid strong chrome steel bracelet, nonetheless, Casio did an amazing job with the aesthetics and the texture of the bracelet. It’s price noting that the tip hyperlinks that connect on to the case lugs and have a agency construction (which you’ll be able to see strengthened beneath with black resin), which makes the watch put on extra like a watch with an extended lug-to-lug size. I believed it might be an issue, however after vital testing on my 7″ wrist, I discovered it to be fantastic.
Having to alter the bracelet through hyperlink pins which can be accessible solely within the heart of every hyperlink, is one thing I’ve by no means seen, and it will presumably make altering the bracelet extra cumbersome than conventional bracelet hyperlink pins which can be accessed from the outside edges of every hyperlink. Though when you get it sized, ideally, you solely ever have to regulate between one of many three clasp consolation extension slots, which ought to be finished by a watch technician or watchmaker, however will be adjusted comparatively simply with a pin-pusher device. The bracelet has a deployant clasp with a push button launch and with the three consolation extension slots it ought to give most wearers the proper match.
There’s loads to love in regards to the new GM2110 assortment, and the painted lume is great, nonetheless, as we’ve seen on different extra accessibly-priced fashions, Casio doesn’t apply lume to the indices, simply the hour and minute fingers. It appears to be like good however pragmatically makes telling the time in low-light conditions extra reliant on the on-demand LED mild, which works nice however we want to see lume utilized to the indices, even on the lower-priced fashions.
Verdict
The G-Metal GM2110D is the most recent of G-Shock’s fashionable, modern octagonal-shaped timepiece assortment, accessible in 5 variations: sky blue, lime inexperienced, orange, navy blue, and silver.
It’s true, that the construct just isn’t as sturdy because the Full Steel assortment, which comes with a solid strong chrome steel bracelet and a extra sturdy case building, nonetheless, the complete bezel and high of the case are in truth solid from a single piece of chrome steel. And whereas the bracelet is crafted from folded (or stamped) chrome steel that’s objectively inferior to a CNC milled (strong metal bracelet), the tapered match, and light-weight really feel (maybe on account of extra space between the hyperlinks and fewer metal getting used), jogs my memory of classic metal watch bracelets (even when the watch is essentially modern) — which is to say there’s a sure allure to it.
Casio’s G-Metal GM2110D brings us again to fundamentals with the shortage of connectivity and photo voltaic, an old-school bracelet, and customary non-cluttered sunburst sample analog-digital dials — but delivers a resolutely modern, modern octagonal case, in your selection of 5 colours.
The retail value is $300. Study extra at G-Shock.
SPECIFICATIONS:
G-Shock G-Metal GM2110D
Reference: GM2110D-2A – mild blue, GM2110D-3A – lime inexperienced, GM2110D-4A – orange
Yr: 2024
Complete Weight: 144 grams (146 grams acknowledged)
Case Materials: carbon/bio-based resin/chrome steel
Case Diameter: 44.4 mm
Case Thickness: 12 mm (11.8 mm acknowledged)
Lug-to-lug: 48 mm (49.3 mm acknowledged)
Crown Diameter: no crown
Glass: mineral crystal (barely armored)
Motion: Japanese quartz module 5611
Battery: SR726W x 2
Depth Ranking: 200 meters
Bracelet: 25 mm at lugs/20 mm at clasp /18 mm tapered
