Casio G-SHOCK releases the latest addition to their popular “CasiOak” with a line extension of 5 new models, with added Bluetooth connectivity and solar charging.
Press Release details with commentary in italics.
New: G-SHOCK announce the Iconic GA-B2100 with Bluetooth® Connectivity and Solar Charging System
The new models are all set with a retail price of SGD 239 inclusive of GST for all except the yellow model, which is SGD 10 more expensive. And will be available at https://gshock.casio.com/sg/and in all G-SHOCK stores from the middle of May.
Commentary
This new release is a significant upgrade over the original GA-2100 from 2019, which has gained popularity and dubbed “CasiOak” for the similarity of the bezel to the famous AP Royal Oak. The new and improved version now comes with Bluetooth connectivity over the Connected Smartphone app, and Tough Solar Charging. The watch will run indefinitely as long as there is light. The new model designation is GA-B2100.
Five new colourways are announced – in black/grey, black/black, blue, green, and yellow. The marketing material from G-SHOCK gears the watch as a tough, go-anywhere, do anything watch, with street imagery.
The new models retain the CasiOak’s rather slim case, by just adding 0.1mm to case thickness, and only 1g more than the release models. The pricing has also seen a modest, but healthy increase from SGD 170 to SGD 240.
Release details
G-SHOCK announces the latest addition of GA-B2100. The five new GA-B2100 watches are the first in the iconic 2100 line equipped with Smartphone Link connectivity via Bluetooth® and solar charging capabilities.
Released in 2019, the base-model GA-2100 was a contemporary interpretation of the very first G-SHOCK, the DW-5000C. It’s simple, stylish design proved popular around the world, especially among younger consumers.
With Bluetooth® connectivity and a solar charging system, the new GA-B2100 shock-resistant watches add a whole new level of convenience. Smartphone pairing (* Requires downloading the dedicated CASIO WATCHES app.) via Bluetooth® delivers accurate timekeeping. The Tough Solar charging system effectively converts light from fluorescent lamps and other sources to power the watch. It eliminates the need to replace the battery regularly.
In addition, these watches feature a slim module with an optimized component layout to retain the compact watch face for which the 2100 line is known, yet still deliver enhanced functionality. Combining this with the Carbon Core Guard structure, which protects the module with a carbon-fiber-reinforced resin case, provides both shock resistance and a compact case with the same length and width as the GA-2100.
In terms of design, the dual-layer dial construction highlights the dimensionality of the LCD and inset dial. Meticulous attention to detail is evident in the metallic finish on the inset dial ring, which gives the dial a look of enhanced texture.
For these additions, Casio returns to the classic colors first used in the G-SHOCK 5600 line with reproductions of the yellow, green, and blue of the DW-5600C-9BV (released in 1987, EOL), DW-5600B-3V (released in 1987, EOL), and DW-5600B-2V (released in 1987, EOL). There are also two black colorways: a black model with a gray dial, which is in the same color scheme as the DW-5600C-1V (released in 1987, EOL) from the original 5600 series, and an all-black model.
Casio G-SHOCK GA-2100 specifications
| Construction | Shock-resistant | |
| Water Resistance | 200 meters | |
| Communication Specifications | Bluetooth® low energy | |
| Signal Range | Up to 2 meters (may differ depending on surrounding conditions) | |
| World Time | 38 time zones* (38 cities + coordinated universal time), daylight saving on/off, auto summer time (DST) switching, home city/world time city swapping * May be updated when connected to a smartphone. | |
| Stopwatch | 1/100 second (00’00”00~59’59”99) /1 second (1:00’00” ~23:59’59”); measuring capacity: 23:59’59.99″; measuring modes: elapsed time, lap/split time | |
| Countdown Timer | Measuring unit: 1 second (maximum 1 hours) | |
| Alarm | 5 daily alarms; hourly time signal | |
| Smartphone Link functions (Wireless linking with Bluetooth® devices) | Auto time adjustmentEasy watch settingApproximately 300 world time citiesTime & placeReminderPhone finder | |
| Other Functions | Hand shift feature; date/month display swapping; day display (in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian or Russian); full auto-calendar; 12/24-hour format; button operation tone on/off; battery level indicator; Double LED light (Super Illuminator and afterglow: 1.5 seconds or 3 seconds) | |
| Power Source | Tough Solar power system (solar-charging system) | |
| Continuous Operation | About 18 months with the power-saving function* ON after full charge* Power-saving after a certain period in a dark location | |
| Size of Case | 48.5×45.4×11.9mm | |
| Total Weight | Approx. 52g |
2 Comments
Cased in China. I have no idea why, the Japanese should easily be able to manage that.
Yes, at last, what every G Shock enthusiast has been asking for…….the do it all, everyday watch, in a slim classy form, it’ll be top of my wish list!