When shopping for bang for buck EDC watches, very specific brands and models come to mind. And at the very top of the list is the humble Casio G-Shock. Though Casio have developed premium lines for their other models, you could always count on the affordability (and basic feature set) of their general releases. But little by little Casio are leveling up their watches, giving even their most modest models upgrades in all the right places. The new analog-digital GA-2100 does just that and more with Casio’s rock-solid new case technology, while also sporting a retro-inspired design that fits right at home on a modern watch.
Rather than the basic resin case most budget G-Shocks have used for decades, Casio’s new Carbon Core Guard technology is giving a tough new life to their classic designs. The carbon fiber-reinforced resin case allows some of the best resilience you can get from a watch, reflected in the GA-2100’s surprising 200-meter water resistance, a figure usually reserved for higher-end dive watches. The tech, while stronger, also allows for a thinner case, which means you get a stronger material without adding on the bulk, reflected in the GA-2100’s more manageable 45 mm case size.