Review GA-B2100 "Casioak" - when AP paid homage to my watch

Yes, I'm a little clickbait. 

But when I saw the blue ceramic limited edition of the RO few days ago, I had an internal laugh. What if AP was making an homage of my CasioOak ? 

Back in business. I got this big boy two weeks ago and it's on my wrist since. I can now write few words on it.

First of all, the context. I was looking for few months now for an affordable GADA watch. in my shortlist were mostly microbrands like Relio, Biotic, Lorier, Astor & Banks, Phoibos, Axios, Zelos, Rze, Clemence, Geckota... All of these watches had something I really like, but my bank account is not that big, so it only could be one. And everytime I was about to pull the trigger, something in my mind was stopping me. I want to wear it when I make some gardening, tinkering, in a few words I'm gonna scratch it a lot. And I can't do this to one of my watch. I can't. So, what is the best answer to that ? Buy a watch that is made to be tortured, buy a Rolex ! No sorry, wrong place. Buy a G-Shock !

Here I am on Casio's website, digging for my next one. First, I want it to be solar. No compromise on it. And, with my little 16.5cm wrist, I would like it to be the smallest possible. Hard to find in the G-Shock line hard, to make an idea on a picture. I had to put a piece on my wrist to see how it wears, so here I went at the G-Shock Store in Paris. I tried the GA-B2100 and few seconds later it was mine.

So, what to say about this watch we all know ? Many things, like for any watch I own and love. I'll try my best to be accurate, fair and, maybe, funny to read. I'm not very good in english so forgive me in advance.

I'll start with the dimensions. Because yes, I have small wrists and it is f*****g annoyiong in the watch world. I realized that dimensions, and especially lug to lug, is a main criteria of go/nogo in a purchase for me. With 48.5mm and with a sort of integrated strap and no real lugs, the whole height is just at my limit. The thickness is quite standard if you're used to automatic watches (11.9mm) and the 45.5mm wide are well designed. The lack of crown gives the GA-B2100 a perfect symetry and the "ears" like in the Nautilus are well balanced. 

The watch is very comfy to wear, even in these hot days here in France. I'm just confused about the lack of a second collar for the strap, making it quite unaesthetic. Looking for a solution (cut the strap or buy a custom)

The dial is just a little sunbursted, it's subtile and beautiful. The hands shape is agressive, the lume is powerful even if not the most long lasting I know (hello Seiko). But who needs lumibrite when you have... The light ???

I must say I'm a little disappointed on the hands counterweight. It's really big, not lumed and not as sharp as the main part of the hand. Plus, it hides a part of the other hand when both are aligned (see image below). I really don't see the point of making it so big. But apart from that, the design is very impressive for a 140€ watch.

I mean, look at the indexes ! Yes, they're made of plastic. But it's pretty damned well executed ! And the small hand at 9 ? it has a little blue paint on it, the half circle with the mode selector is striped, the Casio and G-shock logo are in 3D... My god AP, stop copying Casio !

There are many functionnalities : worldtimer, stopwatch, timer, alarm and reminder. You can set all these from the watch, but the connectivity with a smartphone thanks to the bluetooth technology makes it really simple to use. To be honest, I can't remember how to set a basic alarm with the buttons on the watch. But just press the "mode" button for 3sec and the watch is connected to the Casio watch app; from there everything is really simple and intuitive. You can even find your phone by making it ring from the watch. Love the idea of a connected non-smartwatch.

The watch has a 200m water resistance and is equiped with a tough movement, wich means it is in a sort of carbon cage that protect it from being damaged in case of a fall or a shock. Like in G-Shock. You get it ?

I'm always excited about my new watches, and this one is not an exception. I love the style, the comfort and the idea behind the watch. I love that it is solar, bluetooth and the time being automatically synced when I connect it to my phone. I love to make hard stuffs with it without the fear of banging it on a wall or the floor. I love pretty much everything about this watch. 

I'm proud to say that I found a perfect affordable GADA watch !

Thanks for reading me, you Crunchers !