If you’re looking for a new everyday watch, the G-Shock Utility Metal range offers incredible versatility. Part of a new CasiOak, GM2100 release, these 3 metal-cased G-Shock watches are some of the best-looking affordable watches I’ve seen.
As of late, G-Shock has been expanding its style. Where you would only get resin, now you get stainless steel. And now, the Japanese outfit has delved into the realm of the fabric cloth strap.
All three Utility Metal G-Shocks are 49.3mm lug-to-lug × 44.4mm width × 11.8mm height. There’s still a resin construction underneath the metal bezel, so you can be sure about the shock resistance of this trio.
Overview:
G-Shock Utility Metal CM2100C-5A
The first watch of the bunch is the GM-2100C-5A. This timepiece has a silver-tone case, and beige strap, which is a very neutral, organic combination. G-Shock said they were going for a natural strap look, and I think that’s accomplished well here.
The dial is much like your typical G-Shock CasiOak, although there is some metallic vapour deposition on the number markers, which adds a glossy shine. The hands, get a coloured phosphorescent treatment that matches the main accent colours.
Personally, I love the look of this watch. The strap colour and textures, along with those sandy dial colours, give this piece a desert tone.
If you wear a G-Shock for style, many do opt for the fabric strap, and it’s great that this range comes with that option outright. It’s a comfortable feel, and because this is a CasiOak, the case is a bit slimmer than your typical G-Shock timepiece.
Of the three Utility Metal watches, the C-5A is the most casual, everyday look, but the others share that same easiness.
G-Shock GM2100CB-1A
Next up is the all-black GM2100CB-1A. This model has been given a black ion plating, which looks nice in this brushed steel texture.
There’s a little more than meets the eye with this one, and we’ll start with the dial. The red accents jump out strongly against the black, and there’s even a bit of a crosshair design on the bezel insert.
G-Shock has opted for a negative digital display, with bright white digits. And, thankfully, you’ll get good readability out of this small screen. There’s a bit of a theme here as well, as the phosphorescent hands have also been coloured white, for a huge contrast.
It’s an eye-catching design for sure, but the addition of the fabric strap does soften the aesthetic, and I think that’s needed.
Given the tried-and-true classiness of the CasiOak shape, this black watch does give off a sophisticated, yet casual kind of look.
G-Shock GM2100CB-3A
The final watch of the collection is the GM-2100CB-3A, with an olive strap and black ion-plated case. This black is much lighter than the CB-1A, although the dial is still dark and has a negative digital display.
Interestingly, the turquoise accent colour is replicated in the digits, which is unique. This bright colour works well against the black and is a good pairing with the darker shade of green used on the strap. That green theme is continued on the hands, which have a phosphorescent glow.
I think the CV-3A is a good mix of organic style and modern G-Shock charm. The olive fabric and lighter black steel are a great everyday combination, but the striking turquoise makes this timepiece more exciting.
Like the other two watches in the Utility Metal series, this is an excellent travel watch. It’s comfortable, it has 48 world time cities, and a 20BAR water resistance keeps it well protected. I could definitely see myself packing one of these watches on my next trip.
