The new G-Shock GA-B2100 Adds Serious Functionality To The CasiOak Design

April 14, 2022

We woke up this morning to a pretty exciting update from our colleagues in Japan at HODINKEE.jp: G-Shock will soon be releasing an updated and improved version of its contemporary cult classic, the "CasiOak." The releases will fall under the new GA-B2100 reference banner C?signifying an upgrade over the original GA-2100 from 2019 C?and will be outfitted with two of G-Shock's key 21st-century developments C Bluetooth connectivity to the G-SHOCK Connected smartphone app and Tough Solar charging, which will allow a watch to run indefinitely in the presence of light, without the need for a new battery.? Five GA-B2100 color alternatives are teased in the announcement C we've got black/grey, black/black, blue, green, and yellow C?and we can confirm that the watches are scheduled to be released in the United States in June 2022. If you live in Japan or elsewhere in Asia, good news C?it appears that the new GA-B21oo models will arrive a bit sooner, in mid-May 2022.? G-Shock was able to maintain one of the CasiOak's key selling points:?its thinness. The inclusion of Tough Solar and Bluetooth connectivity comes with the smallest of bumps in height C?just 0.1 millimeter C against the less-complication-filled GA-2100 (11.8mm vs 11.9mm). The watches also retain the interior carbon fiber construction, which enables the GA-B200 to keep its durability despite the thinner dimensions. The new GA-B2100 models also reportedly weigh a single gram more than their older siblings.? The watches all share the same price of $150, except for the yellow variation, which comes in at a slight premium of $160. The yellow GA-B2100 is the one that caught my eye immediately, so I'll probably be shelling out an extra Alexander Hamilton to make it happen on my wrist once the watches are released stateside. What We Think The addition of Tough Solar and Bluetooth connectivity to the "CasiOak" line is a welcome one, at least from my perspective. I own about a dozen G-Shocks and they're almost evenly split between current-spec models featuring upgraded tech, such as Tough Solar, Bluetooth, and Multi-Band 6 atomic timekeeping (a feature I wish made it onto the GA-B2100, in all honestly), and more old-school designs that keep things basic with a simple multifunction battery-powered quartz movement.? Some purists might consider the addition of Bluetooth connectivity to the simple, purpose-built G-Shock as sacrilegious. I'm not one of them. In my experience with Bluetooth-enabled G-Shock watches, it's been extremely easy to forget it's even an option until I actually need to do something like setting an alarm on the watch or adjusting the time. The simple and straightforward Bluetooth connection streamlines the functionality and makes it an absolute breeze to actually use all the features my G-Shocks have to offer.? The GA-2100 was a smash hit for its easy wearability, its good looks, and its affordable price tag. The updated GA-B2100 continues the same trend, with only slight increases in price and a serious upgrade in functionality.?I can't imagine it'll be any less of a success for G-Shock going forward, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the brand's octagonal design language continues to evolve.? The Basics Brand: G-ShockModel: "CasiOak" GA-B2100Reference Number: GA-B2100-1A, black/grey; GA-B2100-1A1, black/black; GA-B2100-2A, blue; GA-B2100-3A, green; GA-B2100C-9A, yellowDiameter: 48.5 45.4 mmThickness: 11.9mmCase Material: Resin, with Carbon Fiber CoreDial Color: Black/Grey; Black/Black; Blue; Green; YellowIndexes: Applied markersLume: Yes, NeoBrite + Super Illuminator LEDsWater Resistance: 200 metersStrap/Bracelet: Colored resin The Movement Caliber: Module 5689Functions: World time; 1/100-second stopwatch; countdown timer; five daily alarms; hourly time signal; hand shift function; 12/24-hour format; full auto-calendar; button tone on/off; battery-level indicator; power save modeAdditional Details: Tough solar charging; Bluetooth connectivity via G-Shock Connected smartphone app Pricing & Availability Price: $150 for all references, except GA-B2100C-9A (yellow), which is $160Availability: June 2022 (United States)Limited Edition: N/A Images, HODINKEE Japan.? Shop this story The HODINKEE Shop is an Authorized Retailer of G-Shock and Casio watches; explore our full collection here.?Learn more online at G-Shock.