When it comes to watches, I’ve never been particularly drawn to digital or quartz models. To me, they’ve always felt a bit cold and lifeless. I’ve always had an affinity for mechanical things — the motion, the ticking sound, the sense of something alive on your wrist. That’s not to say I don’t respect digital and quartz timepieces; they represent a significant and important part of the horological world.
In fact, I’ve owned only one digital watch — most notably the Allay digital watch I reviewed some years ago, which I recently sold. After parting ways with that piece, I began looking for a suitable replacement. This time, I decided to venture into a brand I surprisingly never owned: Casio. Yes, that’s right — despite their ubiquity and rich heritage, I had never owned a single Casio watch until now. I just never got around to it.
To explore this new territory, I reached out to Watchia.com, a Danish-based online retailer that specializes in authentic wristwatches across Europe. Founded in 2010 under the company Reverie ApS, Watchia has grown into a trusted source for watch enthusiasts and casual buyers alike. With a catalog of over 5,000 models, they cater to a wide spectrum — from fashion-forward buyers to serious collectors. As an authorized dealer for numerous major brands, all their watches are 100% genuine and come with a standard two-year warranty.
Their inventory features an impressive lineup, including Casio, Seiko, Citizen, Garmin, Orient, Fossil, Skagen, Festina, and more. Whether you’re looking for an affordable daily beater, a rugged outdoor companion, or a refined automatic piece, Watchia offers something for everyone.
For this review, I chose the Casio “CasiOak”, officially known as the G-Shock GA-2100. The particular model is from the Brick-Wall series. Since its release, it has captivated the watch community — earning its nickname due to a striking resemblance to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. But make no mistake: the CasiOak is far more than a mere homage. It’s a unique, robust, and stylish watch in its own right — and at a fraction of the cost of a luxury sports watch.
The watch arrived in a fully recyclable cardboard box, aligning with environmentally conscious packaging expectations. Initial impressions were positive. Contrary to my expectations, the watch felt lighter and more compact than anticipated. The dial appears even more refined and attractive in person than in promotional images. Although I needed to consult the instruction manual to set the time, the process was simple and intuitive.
At first glance, it’s easy to see why the GA-2100 earned the “CasiOak” nickname. Its octagonal bezel and sleek, flat profile immediately call to mind the luxury icon it echoes — but it remains unmistakably a G-Shock. Casio engineered the case from carbon core guard resin, a material that combines lightweight properties with incredible durability. At 45.4mm wide, it sounds intimidating, especially for those with smaller wrists, but the watch wears significantly smaller thanks to its 48.5mm lug-to-lug length and svelte 11.8mm thickness. In fact, this is one of the thinnest G-Shocks ever made, and it completely changes the wearing experience compared to the chunkier models G-Shock is known for.
The carbon construction gives the watch a sturdy yet featherlight feel. At around 51 grams, you barely notice it on your wrist, making it a perfect daily beater, travel watch, or gym companion. Casio’s signature 200 meters of water resistance is still present, offering genuine dive-watch levels of protection. You could swim, shower, or even dive with it without worry.
Visually, the CasiOak case balances ruggedness with minimalism. Unlike more aggressive G-Shocks with prominent protrusions and busy profiles, the GA-2100 feels restrained. It manages to be tough without looking tactical — a rare achievement in this segment. One slight downside, if you could call it that, is the lack of metal in the standard models. While the resin is robust, some may prefer the look and feel of steel. Luckily, Casio has released “metal-covered” versions (GM-2100 series) for those seeking a more premium touch.
The GA-2100’s dial is a masterpiece of legibility and restrained complexity. Casio kept the design clean, focusing on simple, easy-to-read information without sacrificing the brand’s identity. The analog hands dominate the dial, offering bold, lume-filled indicators for the hours and minutes. Unlike many G-Shocks that drown users in digital clutter, the CasiOak simplifies things beautifully. The hour markers are applied and shiny black, catching the light at certain angles, giving the watch a subtle luxury feel unusual for a ~$100 timepiece.
At 9 o’clock, a small day-of-week subdial offers a nice balance to the composition. Opposite it, near 4 o’clock, sits a small LCD display. This is where the G-Shock DNA really shows through — offering useful features like world time, stopwatch, timer, alarm settings, and more, all tucked away neatly without overwhelming the dial.
A big point of discussion has been the negative display (light characters on a dark background). It looks sleek but can be harder to read in dim lighting. Fortunately, Casio included a small LED light to illuminate both the analog and digital displays, solving most visibility issues. Still, if legibility is your priority, choosing a positive LCD display model (with dark characters on a light background) might be a better choice.
My particular model features what’s often referred to as the “rainbow brick wall” dial — a textured pattern reminiscent of brickwork, brought to life with an iridescent, color-shifting finish that truly comes alive in direct sunlight. The interplay of light and color gives the dial a dynamic, almost chameleon-like quality that adds a striking visual dimension. In my view, this is one of the most compelling dial variants available in the CasiOak lineup. Overall, the dial strikes a thoughtful balance between rugged utility and sleek minimalism — and it does so with remarkable finesse.
Under the hood, the GA-2100 is powered by Casio’s reliable Module 5611. It’s a quartz movement, no surprises there, but it’s packed with an array of useful features.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what the movement offers:
- Analog time display with hours and minutes
- Day and date shown digitally
- World time for 31 time zones
- 1/100-second stopwatch
- Countdown timer
- Five daily alarms
- Full auto-calendar (pre-programmed until 2099)
- 12/24-hour time formats
- Battery life of approximately 3 years
Accuracy is a strong point, as expected from a quartz G-Shock. You can expect deviations of ±15 seconds per month, meaning you’ll rarely, if ever, need to adjust it. That said, it’s worth mentioning the lack of Tough Solar charging in the GA-2100. Many enthusiasts were hoping for solar capability, especially considering Casio’s expertise in that area. Also missing is Multi-Band 6 atomic timekeeping. However, given the watch’s price point and target audience, these omissions make sense. Including those features would have significantly raised costs.
Practically speaking, the Module 5611 provides everything you’d need for day-to-day use. It’s worry-free, no-maintenance timekeeping in a stylish package. For those who want more advanced features like Bluetooth syncing, Casio has since introduced the GA-B2100, which adds Bluetooth and Tough Solar — but at a slight premium. Overall, while the movement is basic compared to some high-end G-Shocks, it’s absolutely fit for purpose here.
Finally, let’s talk about the strap — one of the unsung heroes of the GA-2100’s design. The watch comes fitted with a soft resin band, matching the case color in most variants. This strap is supple, comfortable, and very flexible compared to traditional stiff G-Shock straps. It hugs the wrist nicely without creating uncomfortable pressure points, even during extended wear.
The strap’s integrated design flows seamlessly into the case, helping the watch achieve its sleek silhouette. However, this integration also means that custom strap options are slightly more complicated. Unlike a typical 20mm or 22mm lug-width watch, the GA-2100 requires either custom adapters or specially-made aftermarket straps. That hasn’t stopped the modding community. In fact, the CasiOak has spawned an entire ecosystem of custom straps, cases, and mods. You can now find stainless steel, leather, NATO, and rubber strap kits made specifically for the GA-2100. Some brands even offer “Royal Oak-style” stainless bracelets, enhancing the homage factor even more.
Out of the box, though, the stock strap is excellent. It’s breathable, lightweight, and water-resistant — perfect for active lifestyles. The simple pin buckle is easy to use, durable, and doesn’t dig into the wrist. If you want to dress up the CasiOak, a strap change is a fun and affordable way to do it. Just be prepared for a little DIY or invest in a strap adapter kit.
The Casio G-Shock CasiOak GA-2100 is, quite simply, a modern icon. Casio managed to create a watch that blends durability, affordability, and style in a way that resonates across generations of watch fans. The case brings an unexpected refinement to the rugged G-Shock DNA. Dial balances analog tradition with digital convenience. Movement delivers bulletproof reliability and everyday functionality. And strap offers comfort and flexibility, with endless modding potential.
Sure, it’s not perfect. A solar option would have been welcome, and the negative LCD display isn’t ideal for everyone. But in a world where G-Shocks sometimes get bogged down by feature overload and bulk, the CasiOak is refreshingly simple — and simply refreshing. Whether you’re a seasoned collector looking for a fun addition, or a first-time buyer seeking a reliable daily watch, the GA-2100 is a choice you won’t regret!
KaminskyBlog 