Mini CasiOak GMA-S2100 review - Small downsizing for the Casio, great comfort for slender wrists

Tags: Review | Casio | Women's | Classic

26.4.2021 | 7 MIN

Even smaller, even lighter and even thinner. G-Shock GMA-S2100 aka Mini CasiOak is a women's alternative to the GA-2100. Thanks to its look and size, they became one of the most popular models in the field of G-Shocks. In today's review, we will be interested in what the women's version was deprived of, what changed and, above all, what remained.

CasiOak background

When Casio came up with GA-2100 in 2019, it was supposed to be a tribute to the G-Shock father Kikuo Ibe and Casio probably hoped, that fans would start nicknaming the watch after him. But the internet immediately fired with the name CasiOak, which was mainly caused by the octagonal bezel, which reminded enthusiasts of a certain Audemars Piguet brand watch gem - Royal Oak.

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So we should not be surprised that when the women's version came to the market in 2021, the nickname "Mini CasiOak" became a clear choice. They are not so mini, but more compact dimensions will be for sure appreciated by many g-shockers.

Of course, this is not the first time Casio has come up with women's version of G-Shocks (sometimes more unisex than purely women's) of specific models. We have seen the S-series in eight hundreds, but also 110, 120, 130, 140. But they are still relatively robust watches, which for G-Shocks is a characteristic attribute that is actually welcomed by many. It is not always so comfortable though... Especially if your wrist is skinny as a toothpick. An exception to this is the recently introduced digital G-Shock GM-S5600 with a steel bezel.

The fact that Casio managed to crush the famous resistance of  G-Shocks into the thin casing of CasiOaks GA-2100 is a gift from heaven for many. It means that they have become small enough, light and thus comfortable, and yet retain uncompromising functionality and durability. Plus with a catchy nickname. And this also applies to GMA-S2100.

This compactness is caused mainly due to the Carbon Core Guard structure. It is carbon, that Casio calls its third material, which combines the lightness of resin and even exceeds the strength of steel. The watch case is then pierced with carbon fibers, which thus achieve incredible strength and lightness at the same time.  For GA-2100 it was 51 grams, for the smaller GMA-S2100 it was 41 grams.

I will discuss how much you notice the weight of the watch at the end. Let's first summarize what has changed and if they remained a full-fledged G-Shocks.

CasiOak vs. Mini CasiOak

Basically, three more or less essential things have changed.

First, of course, the size. GA-2100 dimensions are 48,5 × 45,4 × 11,8 mm. That helped them occupy the top of the thinnest men's G-Shocks list. GMA-S2100 are less than 3 mm smaller in diameter and also 0.6 mm thinner. The dimensions of the S are therefore 47 × 42.6 × 11.2 mm.

Second: metal elements. CasiOak have plastic, matt indices, and in general, we do not find a single metal element on the dial except for the end of the central axis. On the other hand, the buckle of most models (with the exception of the red version or the Earth series) is steel, as are the buttons.

With the Mini CasiOak, it's the other way around. The buckles are plastic and in the color of the strap and the case, and the same applies for the buttons. The indices on the dial are made of steel, either silver or rose gold color. Either way, it is a very shiny element, which is also present on the hands. At certain angles, the indices together with the base of the hands form a nice metal element, which probably won't be apprecited by lovers of "stealthy utilities".

The third change is the strap. Of course, the resin strap is still present here, ie made of synthetic resin, but the one in men's version is more pleasing on the touch. As if softer and smoother. It is a tiny difference, but it creates a negative impression for the women's version. Simply it is more plastic, and you perceive it as soon as you take it in your hands. And the same also goes for the bezel.

The strap of the S version is also cleaner in design. There is no engraved structure. But that doesn't matter at all. In fact, it is suitable for overall refinement.

Functional equipment

Everything else is the same as the basic template GA-2100 model. Both versions have the same module 5611, and therefore the same functional equipment. From the key functions, I will mention in particular the practical alarm clock, where you can set up to 5 daily alarms. You can also turn on a sound signal signaling every hour. And while I'm talking about sounds, it's definitely nice that the button sounds can be turned off.

A stopwatch (with an accuracy of 1/100 second and a pause for a split time) and a countdown timer (maximum 24 hours) may also come in handy. And let's not forget world time, thanks to which you can watch the time in the city of your choosing.

I have to emphasize the readability of the analog dial for all versions. True, in the pink salmon and beige version, the hands may blend a little, but it's still in sufficient contrast, and as I mentioned earlier, the steel indices and the base of the hands also help with the nice legibility.

The digital LCD display is a bit small, or at least it is often criticized for its size, but for me it is perfectly sufficient for comfortable reading of all data. Plus, except for the black version, the display is positive, which helps with the readibility. In the dark variant it is in the negative and yes, here the readability is simply worse. But this also applied to GA-2100. A hand-cleaning function, when the hands are moved out of the display, also helps to make settings more comfortable.

On the sloping digital display, you can also see, in the form of an inconspicuous comma, whether you currently have your alarm ,signalisation or button sounds on.

Now let's finally talk about the lighting. The watch is equipped with two LEDs. The first one is between the numerals four and five and sufficiently illuminates the analog. The second one then backlights the display, so the values ​​on the display are not a problem at night. Over all, I am completely satisfied with the lighting. Since the dial is relatively small, LEDs are sufficient enough, especially when light bounces off metal indices.

GMA-S2100 have 2 LED diodes, thanks to which the time is readable even at night.

The luminescence on the hands is a little worse, not so much in intensity as in endurance. Since I take CasiOak as a functional fashion accessory rather than just as a functional tool, it didn't detract anything from the beauty.

The main thing: when on hand

Before I decided to spend a few days with GMA-S2100 on one hand and men's version on the other one, I wondered why Casio hadn't just made the original GA-2100 in more feminine colors. I thought they are already quite small and comfortable. And for G-Shocks, it is not expected that the watch would be inconspicuous in size…

But... The comfort! It's only 3 mm, and 10 grams, but it made an incredible difference. In fact, in contrast to the men's GA-2100, I practically didn't know I was wearing anything. It was like wearing my ultrathin and ultralight F-91, so comfortable, so natural.

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But the main thing is that they fit on my hand like a glove. With a circumference of 14.5 cm, I simply did not find the sweet spot on the strap of the men's model, where the watch wouldn't strangle me or, on the contrary, it wouldn't travel a bit on the wrist. It seemed to me that Casio had my wrist as a model for the women's version.

That is, except for the length of the strap, because it has hardly changed since the men's version. Which is a bit of a surprise. A slight reduction would prevent the strap from standing out uncomfortably in the area close to the case, where you can no longer move the loop. I have the same exact problem with the men's version, but that's why I'm expecting the women's version, which is to adapt to a smaller circumference of a wrist, to think about this as well. Maybe next time.

The strap may overhang slightly on the narrow wrist. It's a pity Casio didn't catch it.

And if Casio used soft resin for the strap, as they did in men's CasiOaks, I probably would not have anything more to complain about. Functionally, they are more than rich enough for a casual wear, they are not deprived of anything typical for an honest G-Shocks (as it is often happening to the women's versions of Baby-Gs). And they just look great. In addition, the price remained the same as for men, which is fair and the basic G-Shocks offer is more than attractive.

They are currently available in four color variants. Salmon pink (GMA-S2100-7AER), soft beige (GMA-S2100-4AER), white (GMA-S2100-7AE), which I can see clearly with white Converse as a perfect fit for summer, and black (GMA-S2100-1AER), yes, with a black leather jacket it would rock, although I would appreciate the version without rose gold metal indexes and handles.

Conclusion

Maybe the changes in size were not so enourmous, but it did pay off. I recommend it with both wrists. And for ladies with a smaller wrists - there's just nothing to talk about…