Ever since it was released in 2019, the Casio GA-2100 immediately gained a lot of attention. Although it doesn’t feature innovative time-setting technologies, GPS, and not even Bluetooth, like many of its competitors, it quickly managed to outsell them and win over the hearts of timepiece enthusiasts. That may come a bit as a surprise, considering that more and more watch brands these days are moving towards the “tech” sphere, but not if we look at the design
The Casio G-Shock GA-2100 is nicknamed “CasiOak” because of its resemblance to the iconic Royal Oak but, unlike Audemars Piguet’s timepiece, this one retails for an affordable $99 / £80. The CasioOak quickly went viral on Instagram and sold out almost everywhere – but is it really that good?
Key specifications
Case Diameter: 45.4mm
Lug to lug: 48.5mm
Total weight: 51g
Movement: Casio 5611
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Glass: Mineral glass
Winding: Quartz
Display: Multi-function electronic with analog time display
Design & build
Let’s get right down to what makes the CasiOak G-Shock so interesting: the design. The highlight is definitely the octagon-shaped bezel, which is reminiscent of the Royal Oak, but Casio did keep some of the surfaces that made the G-Shock series famous.
This is one of the best-looking watches Casio has released since the original square G-Shock, and the fact that Casio decided to make this model smaller than previous models (the lug to lug is just 48.5 mm) definitely adds to its versatility.
But even though the CasiOak is thinner and smaller doesn’t mean it’s any less durable. This timepiece is shock-resistant, 200m water-resistant, and the Carbon Core Guard structure can withstand a lot of bumps. The strap has a quick-release button, so you can easily replace it.
Price
The Casio G-Shock GA-2100 retails at $99 / £80, and, as many watch enthusiasts agree, it’s one of the best-looking, most durable watches you can buy for the price. The affordable price is one of the main reasons why the CasiOak sold out immediately, but do watch out for scalpers – on the secondary market, you’ll find this model at almost double the price. Yes, it’s that high but, then again, the CasiOak is the coolest budget watch we’ve seen in a while.
Is it wearable?
Do you want a watch that just tells you the time? Then look at your phone, or look for a more classic, understated design because, by all intents and purposes, the CasiOak is not subtle. This watch is a bold statement that adds a superhero look to the plainest outfit.
The bottom line
Durable, light, and sophisticated, the Casio G-Shock GA-2100 is worthy of its nickname. If you want a statement watch that’s built to last, and that doesn’t break the bank either, you really can’t go wrong with this one.
What the CasiOak lacks in tech features, it definitely compensates in the design department, and we believe that it will go down in history as one of the best watches in the G-Shock series.
