I've owned and reviewed a lot of different G-Shock Casioak watches. They look stylish yet are affordable, are thin and lightweight, and Casio keeps adding interesting new variants. When the brand released its new Hidden Glow collection earlier this month, I was excited to see reference GA2100HD-8A combine two things I love. The G-Shock Casioak and a lume dial! The Casiglowk?
For an intro to the Casio G-Shock GA2100 line and why it is referred to as the Casioak, I recommend reading my original review here. I've also reviewed a few other colors, as well as metal, midsize, and Bluetooth versions of the Casioak. You can find all of those reviews at this link. This review will focus on the unique characteristics of this new Hidden Glow model.
First Impressions and Details of the Casio G-Shock Hidden Glow
As with my original Casioak, when I decided to purchase this model, it was, of course, sold out. Luckily a bit of searching quickly uncovered one from an internet watch retailer. They have been coming in and out of stock on Casio's website as well.
Upon receiving it, I really liked the use of (or lack of) color. The dark gray resin bezel and strap look cool against the grayish-white dial. The only hint of color is the light green day display half.
I love the black hands and hour markers. My opinion is usually that lume dial watches should have all-black hands for legibility. Casio filled its hands with lume on this model, but I realized that it's needed to be able to see the hands when they are over the LCD display.
Although it doesn't glow, the chapter ring as well as the bezel text is nearly color-matched to the dial with just an extra hint of gray. All of the other text is dark gray or black.
A black keeper on the strap adds a slight contrast, a technique also seen on the yellow Bluetooth variant. The buckle is polished metal on this lume dial model, corresponding with the polished metal pushers. Some Casioaks have this same part, and some have color-matched plastic buckles.
Wearing the Casio G-Shock Hidden Glow
At 51g, the Casioak Hidden Glow is a featherweight on the wrist, making it quite comfortable despite its large size. Its thin profile keeps its weight flat to the wrist. I plan to wear it for all kinds of activities this summer.
Some of the Casioak models (especially the Midnight Fog) use hand colors that blend into the dial, looking cool but compromising legibility. The Hidden Glow model is very easy to read during the day thanks to its black outlined hands and large, black hour markers.
The LCD screen uses a negative display. It's not as easy to read as a positive display, but it is typically displaying less critical information. I think that it was the right choice in this case as it matches the stealthy style of the watch better.
As mentioned, lume dial watches are much easier to read in low light if the hands are fully black. With lume fill, glowing hands tend to blend into glowing dials and require more careful focus to read them. This is also the only Casioak model that allows the day display hand to be seen in darkness, although the day of the week is difficult to read. Luckily, as with all Casioaks, this one has LED illumination for its dial as well as a backlit LCD screen.
Activating the LED also charges the lume and creates a hot spot at 4:30.
The lume is reasonably bright, especially on the hands. My Islander Sands Point still stands as the brightest lume dial watch that I've owned, but the Hidden Glow is pretty good.
Conclusion
I knew that I would like this watch before receiving it, but after seeing it in person, I think that Casio did a great job with the color choices on the Hidden Glow Casioak. This is one that I see myself wearing a lot during the summer, as it looks cool and is not too flashy. Of course, it's also fun coming in from the sun wearing this one as well!
While I like having Bluetooth (or at least atomic clock) syncing on G-Shocks to keep the time accurately set, I assume it is not possible to have a watch with both a solar panel and a lume dial. Additionally, this was a less expensive model. Depending on which other Casioak that you compare it to, the lume dial is either no additional cost or a modest $11 upcharge. Either way, I'm happy to see Casio continue to expand the line and add more interesting materials and features.
Specifications:
Name: Casio G-Shock Analog-Digital Super Illuminator
Reference Number: GA2100HD-8A
Price: $110
Width: 45.4mm
Height: 48.5mm
Thickness: 11.8mm
Weight: 51g
Movement: 5611
Battery Life: 3 years
Water Resistance: 200m
Crystal: Mineral
Strap: Resin