The Casio G-Shock GM-B2100GD bids adieu to DIY CasiOak kits
D.C. HannayEver since the 2019 introduction of the G-Shock 2100 series, more commonly known as the “CasiOak”, fans have been itching for a full metal version, and in 2022, they got one. Boy, did they get one. In fact, they got four – stainless, black, rose gold, and the subject of today’s hands-on, the uncompromisingly blinged-out yellow gold version. How much more gold could it be? To paraphrase an infamous line from This Is Spinal Tap, “The answer is none. None more gold”. It’s unapologetically ‘80s hip-hop and Bond villain all at once. It’s gold, baby, gold. And that’s the point. This is not a versatile piece for everyday wear. This is the watch you put on to get noticed, and in that regard, the all-gold-everything CasiOak is a grand slam. So let’s go hands-on with this in-your-face G.
The case
The 2100 series punched a hole in the watch universe because of its resemblance to one of the world’s biggest hype watches, the AP Royal Oak, and the full metal treatment pulls it even closer into that orbit. But make no mistake, this is every bit a G-Shock, and that all starts with the overbuilt case construction, featuring 200 metres of water resistance, and as for shock resistance? It’s in the name. The famous octagonal bezel is even more in-your-face in gold, and it gets a nicely done circular brushed finish, with polished edges for good measure. It’s definitely not a small watch, with its 49.8mm lug-to-lug appearing even bigger in gold, but like all the 2100 models, it wears well, thanks to a diameter of under 45mm, and the case height isn’t overwhelming, at 12.8mm. But rest assured, this thing has presence. The screw-down stainless steel caseback is plated black and engraved with all the pertinent specs. Overall, the gold ion-plated stainless shines like a wrist-borne ingot, and I can only imagine what it would feel like if Casio offered a solid gold version. Stranger things have happened, and you can be sure that there would be an audience for such a baller piece.
The dial
The gold handset jumps out from the black dial, dominating the face of the watch, with the busier functional features fading into the dark background. The watch is solar-powered, and you can conveniently activate the hand shift feature to more easily view the negative digital display. The display is rather diminutive, but it offers a plethora of added functionality, as does the small subdial at 9. There is an unremarkable amount of lume on the hands, but thankfully, you can activate added illumination from two LED lights when things get dark. But really, the hands are the stars of the dial, and they are decidedly its most prominent feature.
The movement
The list of included functionality is long, but some of the highlights include 38 time zones, a 1/100 second stopwatch, a countdown timer, five daily alarms, and a power-saver feature that extends the battery’s charge to a whopping 18 months if left in the dark. There’s also a battery level indicator showing the amount of charge remaining from the solar-powered module, a nice reminder to occasionally leave the watch next to a window to top off the capacitor. And with the Bluetooth connectivity, you’ll receive smartphone alerts, and the time can synchronize automatically.
The bracelet
The gold stainless bracelet is another big selling point of a full metal G-Shock, and this one really hammers home the Royal Oak comparisons. The shape and detail of the links follow the form of the resin models, with a nicely integrated look. The brushed finish helps emphasise the polished circular indents that accent each link, while a dual push-button clasp keeps things nice and secure.
The verdict
Collectors no longer need to hunt down metal parts on AliExpress in order to mod their CasiOak to look more upscale, as you can now get it straight from Casio themselves. And of course, the end result is a much better execution than you can get by going the aftermarket route. It’s the CasiOak the collectors have been asking for, and if you want yours to grab attention, yellow gold is the way to go.
Casio G-Shock GM-B2100GD-9A pricing and availability:
The Casio G-Shock GM-B2100GD-9A is available now. Price: US$600
| Brand | Casio G-Shock |
| Model | Full Metal 2100 Series |
| Reference Number | GM-B2100GD-9 |
| Case Dimensions | 44.4mm (D) x 12.8mm (T) x 49.8mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Ion-plated yellow gold steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Mineral |
| Dial | Black with negative display |
| Strap | Ion-plated yellow gold steel |
| Movement | Solar-powered ana-digi module |
| Power Reserve | 18 months in stand-by |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, alarm, chronograph, countdown, world time, power reserve, Bluetooth connectivity |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$600 |