It may possibly to start with be rather laborious to grab why the little Casio G-Surprise GA-B2100 is this sort of sensible watch. In spite of everything, it’s reasonable, it’s no longer a sci-fi-influenced restricted version, and at the generation aspect, it’s no longer as comprehensively specced as a fitness-orientated G-Surprise, let on my own an Apple Watch.
But it’s one among my favourite G-Surprise watches of latest instances, and an excellent purchase. Right here’s why.
Why is it in style?
The unique G-Surprise GA-2100 (word the loss of the B in its identify) got here out in 2019 and was once an fast hit. The $99 worth level was once excellent, the analog/virtual glance is natural G-Surprise, and it was once to be had in more than a few colours so it appealed to the many of us who purchase G-Surprise watches as style equipment. The passing (for those who squint very laborious) resemblance to the Audemars Piguet’s octagonal Royal Oak luxurious watch helped construct its legend on-line too.
Extra colours, a metal-cased model, and a restricted version of the GA-2100 made with Rubik’s Dice had been launched since then, however the GA-B2100 is the primary overhaul of the fashion that provides extra options, and the selection is spot-on. The GA-B2100 comes supplied with a Bluetooth connection and Casio’s Tricky Sun charging, making the GA-B2100 some of the highest-spec entry-level G-Surprise watches to be had.
In spite of those two vital upgrades little else concerning the GA-B2100 has modified in comparison to the easy GA-2100. It’s nonetheless the thinnest G-Surprise round at about 11mm so it stays extremely wearable, the load is minimum at 52 grams, and there are a couple of colour choices. Including new tech has affected the fee, however no longer through a lot, because the GA-B2100 begins at $150 (129 British kilos), and for that, it’s an absolute thieve.
Bluetooth connection
Despite the fact that some Casio G-Surprise watches come with extra health monitoring options lately, such because the GBD-200, the GA-B2100 is a more practical affair. The Bluetooth connection syncs for your telephone to set the native time, and within the app you’ll modify options just like the alarm, timer, and global time. It’s more straightforward, sooner, and extra herbal to make use of the app than to be informed the method of doing so at the watch itself.
Casio has just lately launched a brand new app referred to as Casio Watches, which replaces its previous G-Surprise Hooked up app, and I took the chance to take a look at it out for the primary time when the use of the GA-B2100. The app’s glance, with black textual content on a white display, is blank and simple to learn, and I really like the way in which you’ll make a selection your precise watch to turn within the app, quite than the fewer customized generic choice within the previous app.
Select a function like atmosphere the sector time and a map displays along it for some further visible passion, whilst the opposite options are all merely laid out and really fast to make use of. It’s surely sooner, much less flashy, and extra feature-focused than the previous Hooked up app.
Then again, the principle House web page is only a number of advertisements for G-Surprise and a repeat of its Instagram feed, serving no objective. I’d quite see my watch assortment highlighted after I open the app. That mentioned, the Bluetooth reference to the app has labored and not using a drawback since that first take a look at, and reconnecting the watch after it has routinely disconnected takes a unmarried long-press of the Mode button. Superfluous house pages apart, it’s precisely what a significant other app must be like.
Tricky stuff
The GA-B2100 makes use of Casio’s Carbon Core Guard construction to offer protection to the parts inside of from vibration and have an effect on, and wraps a resin frame and strap round it for added toughness. It’s completely shock-resistant and water-proof to 200 meters, so that you’re no longer going to damage the watch with out in reality making an attempt laborious.
I really like the brilliant lume with its inexperienced tint at the hour and minute fingers, and the way in which its brilliant white colour makes the dial extra legible when briefly glancing on the time. A work of flat mineral glass covers the dial, and there are 4 buttons at the case and a screw-down chrome steel case again.
The Tricky Sun charging is all that’s had to energy the watch and the Bluetooth connection, and it takes its power from each daylight (even if its cloudy) and fluorescent indoor lighting fixtures. Casio estimates it could closing seven months with out seeing any mild in any respect after being totally charged for it to expire of price, so that you received’t have to fret a lot concerning the battery being depleted for those who put on it frequently.
Press the Mode button to cycle during the options displayed at the virtual LCD display. It’s without a doubt no longer the most important display, nevertheless it does the task for checking the sector time or your alarm settings, plus for those who press the Mild and Mode buttons on the identical time, the fingers routinely shift out of the way in which in the event that they’re obscuring it. The analog complication displays the watch’s mode and if the Bluetooth function is lively, whilst in commonplace mode it issues to an L, M, or H marker, which denotes the present point of sun price, both low, medium, or prime.
Dressed in the GA-B2100
Fail to remember any preconceptions about all G-Surprise watches being giant and hulking, the GA-B2100 is neither of these items. The smooth case is really easy to put on on account of it, but in the best colour, it might probably nonetheless make a observation, specifically with summer season at the approach and the risk to put on short-sleeve tops. The 45mm case width sounds giant, however I don’t assume it dominates my 6.5-inch wrist, which you spot within the pictures, in any respect. The resin strap is versatile and at ease, plus there’s completely lots of adjustment to get the are compatible excellent.
I’ve been dressed in the blue GA-B2100-2A model and prefer the delicate matte end, however have additionally noticed a nonworking model of the in reality attention-grabbing yellow GA-B2100C-9A. The yellow model may be very colourful, no longer most effective because of the case itself, but in addition on account of the white hour markers, the yellow hand at the complication, the purple Tricky Sun brand, and the blue Bluetooth brand. You’ll additionally get a black, black/grey, and a inexperienced model of the GA-B2100, all of which recall the colours used at the unique 80s G-Surprise watches.
The octagonal 2100-series G-Surprise saved the whole thing easy, with a now-iconic form, a transparent practical dial, and simple wearability all for an extremely low worth. The GA-B2100 provides correctly helpful generation with sun charging and a competent, helpful Bluetooth connection for a modest quantity extra, with out affecting the cool, trendy simplicity of design in any respect. I feel it’s nice.
When are you able to get one? The GA-B2100 vary will arrive within the U.S. round June, and it’ll be out within the U.Ok. one day in Would possibly. All colours with the exception of the yellow fashion price $150 or 129 kilos, with the tempting yellow watch at $160 or 139 kilos.
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