The watch world’s so-called “CasiOak” is getting a darker, more polished treatment.
G-SHOCK’s 2100 series has built much of its appeal around a simple idea: take the toughness the brand is known for and package it in a slimmer, more wearable shape. The new Luxe Black editions push that idea further with matte finishes, metallic details and a more restrained overall look.
The GA-2100 first appeared in 2019 and quickly became one of the brand’s most talked-about modern watches. Its octagonal case and integrated-looking strap prompted comparisons with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the influential luxury sports watch designed by Gérald Genta in the 1970s. Before long, collectors had given the affordable Casio its enduring “CasiOak” nickname.
What made the 2100 stand out, however, was not simply that resemblance. It gave G-SHOCK a watch that felt equally comfortable in streetwear circles and among people who pay attention to traditional watch design. Its thinner proportions and relatively clean dial made it easier to wear than many of the brand’s larger, more aggressively styled models.
The Luxe Black collection keeps that familiar shape but changes its mood.
The metal GM-2100LXB versions use black ion-plated bezels with a brushed finish, complemented by either silver- or gold-toned details. The resin GA-2100LXB models are lighter and use metallic treatments on the dial elements to create contrast against the predominantly black design.
The result is still recognizably sporty, but less visually loud. It can sit comfortably beside sneakers and denim, yet the metal variants would not look particularly out of place with office wear or a sharper evening outfit.
That versatility is increasingly relevant as buyers look for watches that can do more than fill one stylistic role. The market research cited in the original material points to growing interest among Filipino consumers in products associated with durability, quality and longer-term use rather than purely seasonal trends.
Functionally, the watches remain firmly within familiar G-SHOCK territory. They retain shock resistance, 20-bar water resistance, world time covering 48 cities, five daily alarms and double LED illumination. Some bezel and band components also use bio-based resin.
There are four versions in the Philippine lineup. The metal GM-2100LXB-1A is priced at P17,010, while the GM-2100LXB-1A9 costs P15,710. The resin GA-2100LXB-1A and GA-2100LXB-1A9 are both priced at P9,430.
The choice largely comes down to feel. The GM models have more heft and a stronger metallic presence, while the GA versions preserve the lighter, uncomplicated character that helped make the original 2100 popular.
There is no radical redesign here, and that works in the collection’s favor. The Luxe Black models simply make an already versatile watch a little more polished, without erasing the casual toughness that made the “CasiOak” successful in the first place.