Distinguished by an octagonal case form, Casio’s up to date 2100 Collection is among the firm’s best-selling watch collections.
Dubbed “CasiOak” by shoppers, in 2024 G-Shock debuted 4 new variations of the boys’s 44.4 mm x 11.9 mm metal-covered 2100 Collection watches — now geared up with Bluetooth, photo voltaic, and some tweaks to the dial that ought to give the watch much more attraction.
The GBM2100-1A (black) GBM2100A-1A2 (gentle blue), and GBM2100A-1A3 (inexperienced) refeferences can be found with the usual stainless-steel exterior in any respect premium G-Shock sellers, and the GBM2100B-7A which has a black metal case with a black dial, is a GShock.com unique.
This assessment focuses on the G-Shock GMB2100-1A2, which options an all-new gentle blue metallic dial, with a brand new grid sample dial and luminous utilized indices. The earlier metal-covered GM2100 Collection dials are much less intricate and solely handled with lume on the analog hour and minute fingers, not the indices.
To permit gentle in by means of the dial to energy the motion, the dial have to be partially translucent this necessitates some compromises. Nonetheless, Casio was capable of create a complicated grid sample, which additionally has a round hairline end, that elevates the aesthetic with out sacrificing the sunshine gathering wants.
Beneath the one-piece cast steel prime of the case/bezel, is a bio-based resin that’s eco-friendly and according to utilizing solar-powered rechargeable batteries versus old-school batteries that must be changed ceaselessly.
Solar energy is particularly useful contemplating it additionally lets you activate the on-demand white double LED gentle with out worrying about draining the battery because it’s routinely charging anytime there’s synthetic or pure gentle coming into the dial — with no enter and work required. Moreover, there’s a Energy Saving mode, the place the show routinely goes clean to save lots of energy when the watch is left in the dead of night.
At 11.9 mm in thickness, weighing below 72 grams on the black urethane strap, and with a flat mineral crystal that sits ever so slightly below the airplane of the bezel, the watch sits comfortably on my 7″ wrist and doesn’t really feel cumbersome over prolonged put on due to its ergonomics and lightness.
Along with the brand new Bluetooth and solar-powered performance, Casio’s GMB2100 watches have the usual set of G-Shock options equivalent to being extremely shock resistance and having 200 meters of water-resistance. There are 5 Every day Alarms, there’s a 1/a centesimal of a second stopwatch, a countdown timer, a world time operate, a cellphone finder, an hourly time sign, button tone on/off, and a full auto calendar. The modes are neatly displayed in a devoted indicator at 9 o’clock, which additionally reveals the battery degree (L/M/H).
With motion module 5729, there are two analog fingers that point out hours and minutes (the minute hand strikes each 20 seconds to preserve vitality). The digital mode indicator might be configured a number of methods and might present hour, minute, second, am/pm, month, date, day (above it’s pictured with day gentle saving time DST, a operating seconds counter, and the day and date). Accuracy is -15/+15 seconds monthly with no cellular hyperlink operate, and reveals almost excellent accuracy when linked to a smartphone through Bluetooth.
Verdict
Casio has taken a preferred mannequin, made it extra versatile with Bluetooth and photo voltaic, and added three new enticing dial variations (gentle blue, black, inexperienced), plus one black metal case with a black dial and a white urethane strap (this mannequin carries a slight premium and is out there solely at GShock.com).
Contemplating the recognition of the 2100 Collection, it is perhaps a good suggestion so as to add a 3rd dimension, between the 2 present dimension choices: males’s and girls’s.
The GMB2100 wears comfortably, nonetheless, if I might change something, I might give the watch a extra supple strap. Some G-Shocks include a firmer strap, others have a softer strap. I’m unsure what determines which mannequin will get what kind of strap however I’d prefer it to be extra pliable, although firmer straps could lead to greater sturdiness.
The addition of Bluetooth and photo voltaic makes the watch extra versatile than the GM2100 which doesn’t have these trendy conveniences. What shocked me probably the most, is how a lot I just like the rectangular grid sample utilized to the dial through clear printing and its round metallic hairline end — it evokes a way of sophistication.
The GBM2100A-1A2 is out there now for a retail worth of $250.
SPECIFICATIONS:
G-Shock CasiOak GMB2100-1A
Reference: GMB2100-1A
Yr: 2024
Whole Weight: 71.25 grams (72 grams said)
Case Materials: carbon/bio-based resin/stainless-steel
Case Diameter: 44.4 mm
Case Thickness: 11.9 mm
Lug-to-lug: 49.3 mm
Crown Diameter: no crown
Glass: mineral crystal (barely armored)
Motion: Japanese Quartz Module 5729
Depth Score: 200 meters
Strap: Black resin strap with pin buckle 25.5 mm/20.5 mm
