Let\u2019s find out why the G-Shock GA-2100 got its \u201cCasiOak\u201d name and whether it\u2019s still worth the hype.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Don\u2019t even try to argue with me here. The Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet categorically defined sports watch elegance when it launched in 1972. It epitomized what a luxury sports watch should be. Tough, legible, accurate, and with an enduring style that legions of watch fans found hard to resist. But they had to resist because the Royal Oak was also ridiculously expensive. When the realization hit that the AP watch was an unrealistic option for many, the search began for something more accessible. Enter the CasiOak by Casio.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n For some, the Casio CasiOak perfectly bridged that gap between G-Shock toughness and mechanical Royal Oak elegance. Let\u2019s not forget that it was the golden era for affordable quartz, and watches like the Casio G-Shock were in their heyday. Seldom does a clunky, sub-$200 quartz watch belong in the same sentence as a high-end luxury sports icon. Unless you\u2019re talking about the CasiOak. Somehow, the design just worked. Want to know what makes the CasiaOak so popular and how it ascended to the top of the hierarchy of attainable watches? Read this guide.\u00a0<\/p>\n Casio is one of those brands that you have to respect, even if you\u2019re a high-end collector. This Japanese brand\u2019s watches are functional, durable, and unmistakable in design. Despite the brand setting benchmarks across the industry for affordable, robust digi-ana watches, no other brand comes close. Don\u2019t get me wrong, there are lots of digital watch manufacturers out there. But Casio watches are the OG\u2019s of the digital watch world, with design features you can\u2019t mistake for anything else on the market. And they\u2019re exceptionally underappreciated.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Casio is a brand responsible for hooking thousands and thousands of people on watches. People who, at one point, may not have even realized they had a taste for timepieces. The brand spoke to those who began their journey with no more than pocket change to spend on a timepiece. Unsurprisingly, even those who eventually added more prestigious names to their collection still have a soft spot for a Casio.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n On a more granular level, the Casio G-Shock garners even more attention. These watches couldn\u2019t be uncool if they tried, and one fan favorite is the CasiOak. It enjoys incredible hype, even years after its initial release. Moreover, the brand spun a load of different colored models off the back of the first inaugural release, catalyzing its popularity further. But why is this model so popular?<\/p>\n Well, what we have to remind ourselves about the CasiOak is that it came from the world\u2019s most famous electronics giant\u2014the same producer of the G-Shock. Casio put itself on the map for creating state-of-the-art technology many decades ago. But it wasn\u2019t all about watches. In fact, Casio produced the world\u2019s first all-electric calculator back in the mid-1950s.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The first Casio watches, however, didn\u2019t emerge until the 1970s. They were unique, too. The brand\u2019s debut model was the world\u2019s first quartz watch with a digital display \u2013 the Casiotron. Today, the Japanese brand manufactures watches with built-in GPS functionality, altimeters, and even Bluetooth. Part of its portfolio comprises best-sellers like the Edifice, the Pro Trek, and, of course, the G-Shock, which is where the story of the Casioak unravels.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n You may or may not recognize the name Kikuo Ibe. He\u2019s the guy who designed the G-Shock. After dropping and breaking his late father\u2019s beloved pocket watch on the floor, the engineer became fixated on creating the world\u2019s toughest watch. He did this by designing the first timepiece to incorporate an inner urethane rubber construction.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Development for the G-Shock began in 1981 when Ibe pulled together a team of specialists named \u201cTeam Tough.\u201d The design criteria went by the name of the Triple Ten. The watch needed to withstand 10 atmospheres of water pressure, a 10-meter drop, and have a battery life of over 10 years. The quest was not without its difficulties, though. It took the team two years to produce the G-Shock. Ibe further improved the initial design with a shock-resisting system made from rubber, making it super tough and long-lasting.\u00a0<\/p>\n From the initial release of the first G-Shock to the collection\u2019s 40th anniversary in 2023, the expansion of the series is nothing short of fascinating. It\u2019s now home to analog and digital watches in various case materials. Military members, athletes, and adventurers all value and utilize the modern-day G-Shock. And although it\u2019s available in a dizzying array of funky designs and colors, the special editions do the best.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Today, the Casio G-Shock collection is where you\u2019d go if you were looking for a high-fashion, low-rent timepiece. The tools in this collection are affordable but offer so much in terms of functionality and resistance. Casio mass produces these watches, so for the most part, they\u2019re widely accessible. However, some models remain in high demand. Take the all-gold-tone G-Shock GMW-B5000GD-9 model for example. Watches like this are not exactly a dime a dozen. This scarcity pushes prices up on the pre-owned market, nudging them into a somewhat exclusive bracket.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2019, the Japanese watchmaker<\/a> released a sportier, more luxurious variant of the G-Shock. Its name was the CasiOak, and it would fit very comfortably into that \u201cexclusivity\u201d bracket. Interestingly, you can trace the roots of the CasiOak right back to the launch of the Casiotron and beyond. It points to the release of Audemars Piguet\u2019s world-famous Royal Oak watch, released in 1972.\u00a0<\/p>\n You must be thinking, \u201cHow can a budget brand like Casio compete in the same space as Audemars Piguet?\u201d. Well, in truth, it doesn\u2019t, not really. You can\u2019t compare apples with oranges. The two brands are worlds apart in terms of material quality, mechanical mastery, and design. Because of this, they both appeal to entirely different audiences. However, there is one unique scenario where the two brands overlap in some brief, bizarre way: the CasiOak. Oddly enough, the CasiOak brings a sprinkle of the Royal Oak stardust to the masses.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Royal Oak was the brainchild of watch designer Gerald Genta \u2013 the Picasso of Haute Horlogerie. He also designed the Ingenieur by IWC and Patek Philippe\u2019s Nautilus. The Royal Oak was a pure gamble for its time. The revolutionary design had an octagonal bezel, a tapering integrated bracelet, and a distinctive \u201cGrand Tapisserie\u201d dial pattern. Surprisingly, this extravagant design was not an instant success. Sure enough, though, it became a worldwide sensation. Within a few years, Tissot, Girard Perregaux, and PP had all jumped on the integrated steel sports watch bandwagon. Some were incredibly difficult to get your hands on. Rarely did brand supply meet consumer demand \u2013 another driving factor of the Royal Oak\u2019s extortionate price tag.\u00a0<\/p>\n Over the years, several brands have put their own spin on the iconic sports watch. Some brands have produced homage watches, while others take inspiration from individual elements of the Royal Oak\u2019s design. Given Casio\u2019s reputation as a complete master in developing digital quartz watches, the CasiOak was never going to be like anything else on the market. Could this be the reason for its popularity six years down the line?<\/p>\n When the first G-Shock CasiOak GA-2100 arrived in 2019, it promised nothing new on a technical level. In fact, its analog design was simpler than that of previous G-Shock watches. Its resemblance to the Royal Oak\u2019s design caught the attention of watch enthusiasts worldwide. It featured a striking octagonal bezel and was the G-Shock\u2019s thinnest offering. Because of its snowballing popularity, it soon became difficult to obtain. For some time, it even sold for a premium, exceeding its MSRP.\u00a0<\/p>\n To give you some perspective, the CasiOak\u2019s price began several times higher than the G-Shock\u2019s retail price. Agreed, there was no way someone would mistake Casio\u2019s quartz-powered ana-digi watch for an iconic ultraluxe Swiss design. But something about this $100 watch\u2019s proportions and profile appealed to the masses on a much more affordable level. The CasiOak was a built-from-the-ground-up Japanese tool that backed up the G-Shock\u2019s commitment to superior resistance. Gradually, the hype around the CasiOak subdued somewhat. Even so, it remained popular on the market, and it still is today.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The standard CasiOak GA-2100 model is quite a unique design. It has a 45.4mm resin case with a thickness of 11.9mm. Lug-to-lug, the watch measures 48.5mm and features a mineral crystal. Water resistance is pretty good, with a 200-meter rating, and although the model looks large on paper, it wears smaller on the wrist. This is thanks to its compact lug-to-lug measurement.\u00a0<\/p>\n The bezel is octagonal in shape and serves as inspiration for the enthusiast\u2019s \u201cCasiOak\u201d nickname. The metal versions wear ever-so-slightly larger than the resin ones, though Casio finishes the metal ones to a very impressive level. The bracelet design, whether resin or metal, is consistent with the G-Shock\u2019s tapering band, with remarkable, solid hardware. Additionally, the end links on the metal bracelets are similar to what you expect to see in a high-end Swiss watch. Other, less obvious examples of good build quality are evident throughout the CasiOak, too. In particular, the way the bezel protects the embedded crystal shows Casio\u2019s commitment to materials and design. \u00a0<\/p>\n The watch\u2019s central theme is a three-dimensional dial, with analog and digital elements providing all the staple G-Shock features. The dial has a sculpted rehaut, and the digital<\/p>\n section between 3 and 6 o\u2019clock is displayed through a cut-out LCD screen. The other side of the dial is where you\u2019ll find the small seconds function.\u00a0<\/p>\n Perhaps the luminous hands let the design of the CasiOak watch down. The hour and minute hands, representing the analog features of the watch, quickly fade out after exposure to light, which is a shame. Don\u2019t fear, though. There are button-activated lights that also illuminate both the digital and analog elements of the dial.\u00a0<\/p>\n The CasiOak has side buttons that enable you to navigate through its many functions. The bottom left button, for example, navigates local time, world time, stopwatch, and countdown timer functions. The upper right button activates the light, while the bottom right toggles through settings. The collection also offers Bluetooth and solar-powered options and several strap options for the watch modding<\/a> community.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most Royal Oak alternatives will run you up some serious dollars, save for the odd homage watch<\/a>. Even the Tissot PRX will cost a few hundred dollars. That\u2019s partly why the CasiOak watch retains such a strong global following. Here\u2019s a brief rundown of the most popular CasiOak models.\u00a0<\/p>\n The GAB-2100 version arrived a year after the initial CasiOak. Boasting an array of smartwatch functions, these models feature Bluetooth connectivity. You can set the watch and adjust the time via an app, while solar-powered technology recharges the movement. You get a mode and battery life indicator on these watches, and additional features include a 1\/100th second accuracy, split times, lap times, and a 60-minute countdown timer. You can easily differentiate these models since they bear the Tough Solar and Bluetooth logo at 3 o\u2019clock on their dials. Even better is its price. Considering all the additional technology packed into these watches, they only cost around $50 more.\u00a0<\/p>\n The CasiOak GAE2100WE-3A stands out from the collection due to its striking woodland-like Camo design. This is partly what lends to its bold presence. The other influential factor is its dimensions, which are large but a little deceptive. Its square adjacent case helps balance these proportions, enabling the GAE2100WE-3A to sit better on the wrist. The watch has an octagonal bezel, echoing the Royal Oak\u2019s demeanor, and Casio fortifies the case with Carbon Core technology. Integrating carbon fiber with resin maintains the G-Shock\u2019s reputation for toughness.<\/p>\n Other cool features of the CasiOak GAE2100WE-3A include its ana-digi dial<\/a> bearing tan hour markers against a matte black surface. The watch also has an LCD display for the date and running seconds and a day indicator on the other side of the dial. Function-wise, this CasiOak does an absolute ton. You get a stopwatch and calendar that will take you to the year 2099 without adjustments, an alarm, and a world time option, to name just a few.<\/p>\n Now for the straps \u2013 one of the key selling points of this watch. Casio supplies the ref GAE2100WE-3A with two additional straps \u2013 a black rubber and an orange NATO one. Usually, the CasiOak has an integrated rubber band. However, the option of three straps and OEM adapters for NATO strap switches is such a bonus. It gives you limitless options to play around with.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since CasiOak\u2019s initial release, the Japanese brand has been aggressively pushing it into higher-end territory (at least by its own budget-friendly standards, anyway). One way to boost its collectability was to add a full-metal CasiOak to the lineup, which came in the form of the GM2100. Casio followed this up with a Bluetooth version shortly afterward. The integrated steel bracelet option further enhanced the design, giving collectors the sense of belonging to an exclusive CasiOak \u201cclub.\u201d These models are slightly larger than the originals, some of which feature gold-colored accents for a more luxurious take on the design.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Casio (or rather the sub-brand G-Shock) released the CasiOak in an icy-looking series, too. Models like the GAE2100GC-7A were among them, featuring digital snowflakes in a camouflage pattern against a wintry white, frozen textured case. This white snow variant adds a whole new spin to the CasiOak, giving collectors a somewhat more contemporary aesthetic to enjoy.<\/p>\n Supposing the price of the CasiOak is slightly outside your budget? Maybe you want a bit more variation in color? Check out these CasiOak alternatives for inspiration. They look at pricing, style variation, and alternative features.\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve mentioned the resemblances between the CasiOak G Shock and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak a few times in this article. But the GA-B001 watches are a G-Shock take on the \u201cRoyal Oak Concept,\u201d and they really are doppelgangers of the famous sports watch. They\u2019re rad through-and-through with a bold, 8-sided bezel, a faceted case, and integrated straps.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n These watches still feature the ana-digi dial and Carbon Core build that the CasiOak generation uses, but they communicate a somewhat more futuristic, slightly busier layout. Plus, there\u2019s the recently added Bluetooth feature, too.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Overall, if the idea of a Royal Oak concept watch appeals to you, the G-Shock GA-B001 models are wallet-friendly alternatives. Packed with loads of cool features, there\u2019s even a Sci-Fi World iteration and version in \u201cCaution Yellow.\u201d The exploding case sides give these GA-B001 watches a unique look and come in pretty neat colors. These G-Shock watches are another level of badassery, from the smoky grey and red accented variant to the see-through turquoise model. They\u2019re the kind of CasiOak alternative you\u2019ll want in your collection if you need a little more variety.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n At one point, obtaining the CasiOak at MSRP value was nearly impossible. This led many collectors to seek out alternatives, and the Casio DW-5900BB was one of them. It has the all-important Royal Oak and Casio mash-up that people love about the CasiOak. You get the octagonal case profile and grid-like dial pattern to boot. But its chronograph layout pushes the Casio into Offshore territory.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, the resin band of this Casio watch tapers nicely, so even though it\u2019s beefy, it\u2019s still wearable. The sleek, all-black case is ninja-like and beautifully tactile, too. The module offers a countdown timer, five alarms, a date, hourly signal features, and an EOL backlight. Suffice it to say, some scenarios would lead you to wear this watch where you otherwise wouldn\u2019t if wearing a normal G-Shock. It works as a beater but also for casual evenings out. This model might be a little bigger than the CasiOak, but it has much the same appeal. If your budget restricts you from venturing into the CasiOak realm, the DW-5900BB is an excellent alternative.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t want the rugged, hardy chunkiness of the G-Shock watch but still want an ana-digi display, the Citizen Ana-Digi Temp watch is a good contender. Citizen is another Japanese brand renowned for its contribution to the digital tech side of watchmaking and its solar-powered innovations.<\/a> This watch features a 4-readout dial experience delivered in both digital and analog formats and a cool, retro design. New models continue to pay homage to the 1980s original, so if retro Casio watches from the same era appeal to you, check out the Citizen Ana-Digi Temp watch.\u00a0<\/p>\n Undoubtedly, the CasiOak has answered the prayers of many Royal Oak fans to an extent. It has been able to quell the desires of those who\u2019ll probably never be able to afford an AP watch in their lifetime. Shortly after the first CasiOak release, we saw modification kits arrive. Modified CasiOak watches were a game changer, adding even more variation to an already exciting series of G-Shocks. The modification enables collectors to take their CasiOak up a notch, nudging it towards an even more \u201cVallee-de-Joux\u201d look.<\/p>\n Entirely new cases and bracelets became available in different materials, giving consumers a chance to get even closer to the Royal Oak\u2019s design. The customization element of watch-collecting, no doubt, gives us more choices than ever before. But will it eventually reach a point where the concept begins to backfire?<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Casioak-Watch.jpg\")
Casio \u2013 Maker of High-Tech Japanese Watches\u00a0<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Casioak-Watch-dimensions-and-design.jpg\")
The CasiOak\u2019s Roots \u2013 The G-Shock\u00a0<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Casioak-Watch-Illustration.jpg\")
The Royal Oak Influence of the CasiOak<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Audemars-Piguet-Royal-Oak-Black.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nA Brief History of the CasiOak<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Black-CasiOak-Watches.jpg\")
The Key Features of the G-Shock CasiOak<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Casioak-Watch-Parts.jpg\")
Popular CasiOak References\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n
The CasiOak GAB-2100<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/The-CasiOak-GAB-2100.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThe CasiOak GAE2100WE-3A<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/CasiOak-GAE2100WE-3A.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThe CasiOak GM2100<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/CasiOak-GM2100.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThe CasiOak GAE2100GC-7A<\/h3>\n
CasiOak Alternatives\u00a0<\/h2>\n
The GA-B001 Models<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/CasiOak-GA-B001.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThe Casio DW-5900BB\u00a0<\/h3>\n
The Citizen Ana-Digi Temp<\/h3>\n
CasiOak Modifications<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Modified-CasiOak-Watches.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-lkgaj.nitrocdn.com\/SPjsnjeygfuaEeQEiVXLRCQEpxWiRrbw\/assets\/images\/optimized\/rev-2e57acd\/theslenderwrist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/CasiOak-Galaxy-Mod-Watch.jpg\")