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Where Oak meets steel

I’m a big fan of some of the G-SHOCK lineup, and if you follow me on Instagram, this won’t come as any surprise. But in recent years, it feels like there have been some clear winners from the Japanese manufacturer. Primary for me and many others is the release of the GA-2100 series or “Casioak” as it can be more popularly know. I reviewed this some time back and felt like it was a real winner from G-SHOCK. If you haven’t read that article, then take some time to do so here as module and function wise this is the same for this new GM-2100 model. 

Essentially the new GM-2100 is a pricey version of the original GA-2100, and for me, that’s a good thing! Let me explain. Since the release of the Casioak, the G-SHOCK modding community has been busily coming up with kits and cases to turn your resin model into a steel version. I have tried this and was impressed with the outcome, and you can check that out here. But with all of these kits, the one thing they don’t change is the dial. On a standard square 5600 G-SHOCK, this isn’t an issue as it’s an LCD screen, but with the GA-2100 series, you have that very analogue display with a small LCD to the bottom right. So while you could modify your existing Resin GA-2100 series G-SHOCK, this was restricted to just case and bracelet. Depending on the look they want, this is fine, but I wanted to see G-SHOCK go a step further to define this version and make it something more unique.

Seeing the initial press release images, I was relieved that G-SHOCK most certainly did this with the GM-2100. Yes, it has a steel case, but it also has a steel look to the dial and a very nice one at that! Other differences include the dimensions, with the GM-2100 coming in at 44.4mm in diameter instead of the GA-2100, which came in at 45.4mm. Lug to lug, and the original GA-2100 measured 48.5mm, whereas the steel GM-2100 measures 49.3mm size-wise they are very comparable and on the wrist, I have to say the wearing experience is very much the same. This could be down to the thickness, which remained the same for both at 11.8mm. 

The other difference I find with the half-metal versions from G-SHOCK is the accessibility of the buttons. This isn’t limited to this model as I find it on the squares too. But it’s far easier to access the buttons on the steel versions, which can sometimes be much more fiddly on the resin models. Size-wise they look identical, but that slight decrease in case diameter seems to mean the cutouts for the buttons is just better on the steel version.

As I said previously, the layout of the dial is carried over from the GA-2100 series watches, but this has a metallic finish in various colours depending on the option you choose. G-SHOCK uses a process called vapour deposition, which is effectively a way of coating the dial layer by layer via evaporation. This deposits the metal onto the dial, which I am guessing is resin and gives it this brushed metallic look. Very clever and very effective in terms of execution. Looking at the dial, you would believe this is a machined piece of metal along with the indices and hands.

Colour-wise there are currently four in the GM-2100 series lineup—a standard stainless steel version. A red dialled version, a green version and a navy blue version. All have a slightly different coating to the case steel in line with the colour dial you choose, but essentially personal preference will drive the colour you choose. Stand out for me so far has been the stainless steel version, but I am waiting to get my hands on the green and red versions. The other version I have is the blue, and again it’s a lovely deep metallic blue that really catches the light. Overall, I think the initial choice of release colours covers a great spectrum of what most people would like to see, although a complete kit in gun-metal would be fantastic!

Function wise the GM-2100 retains the usual features of its resin brother, the GA-2100:

• 200 meters of water resistance

• Up to 5 daily alarms

• An auto-calendar which means this is always correct

• Battery life of 3 years

• Countdown timer

• Weekday and date display

• Stopwatch 

• World time function 

Alongside this is the legendary toughest and shock resistance making this one a competent watch for sports or outdoor pursuits.

The dial also benefits from G-SHOCK’s Neobrite lume applied to just the hands to give you nighttime visibility. There is also a light function for the small LCD screen should the lume be depleted. The crystal remains a mineral unit, but as this is recessed just like on the GA-2100 series, I’ve never had any issues with damaging this. In actual-world usage, the bezel takes the brunt of any abuse, but it would have been nice to see a sapphire crystal to ensure in the toughest of conditions, this stayed scratch-free.

The other minor difference is the resin band, and these are colour matched on the blue version and green, but the red and stainless steel version, they are plain black. All the bands have a very fine-textured finish applied in what looks like an ultra-fine hobnail pattern. It’s a small detail but adds to the more premium feel compared to the GA-2100 series watches.

So then we come to the price. The stainless steel version is £179.99 direct from G-SHOCK, and the coloured versions come in at £199.99. This was really what I had expected, and I think it makes the stainless steel versions which is perhaps the most versatile bargain. I’m sure the colours will be super popular, and I personally am looking forward to finally getting hold of the green version. Overall this makes the steel versions somewhat of a bargain considering the cost of some of the kits to convert your current resin version of the GA-2100 into a steel version can cost more than this and don’t include that steel look dial. Yes, the kits may have a different look and more options currently, but you do pay quite a premium for this, so you really need to want that look to make it worthwhile. If that’s a route you want to go down, check out a quality kit I reviewed here. 

In conclusion, I’m a big fan of this latest addition to the “Casioak” lineup. It’s taken far longer than it should, but with a global pandemic, that’s understandable. G-SHOCK did a great job with this steel lineup in taking what has turned into a cult classic watch and adding a steel finish that really brings them to the next level. Next steps, I’d love to see them expand the colour range and see if they could incorporate solar into the GA and GM series as a whole to give that extended battery life. Until then, for me, these current GM versions are the cream of the Casioak crop, without a doubt!