Hands-On: Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A 50th-Anniversary Watch
Technically speaking, last year marked the official 50th anniversary of the first Casio watch. However, the Japanese manufacturer’s celebrations have spilled over into 2025 with a commemorative version of its G-Shock 2100 series full-metal chronograph. Inspired by the concept of “making something from nothing” and the moment that zero turns to one, the Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A features subtle 50th-anniversary design details, and it showcases a striking colorway consisting of small gold accents set against a black backdrop, which is intended to symbolize light breaking through darkness and the genesis of innovation.
Since its launch in 2019, Casio’s octagon-shaped G-Shock 2100 series (frequently referred to by its informal “Casioak” nickname) has been a runaway success for the brand. The collection made its debut appearance as the entry-level G-Shock GA2100, but Casio has since produced significantly more elevated expressions of the 2100 series, with the collection currently topping out at the G-Shock MRGB2100, which is a luxury-oriented creation that costs more than many Swiss-made mechanical watches. Between its full-metal construction, feature-packed movement, and enthusiast-oriented analog display, the 50th-Anniversary G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A exists firmly on the premium side of the greater 2100 series spectrum, yet it also costs a fraction of what Casio charges for the MRGB2100 and still manages to come in below the ever-important four-figure price point.
Built on the foundation of the brand’s G-Shock GMC-B2100 models, the Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A only differs from its core-collection counterparts when it comes to its finishing and anniversary-themed design details. Like its siblings, both the case and bracelet of the watch are crafted entirely stainless steel with a brushed and polished finish, although all of the GMC-B2100ZE-1A’s exterior components have been given a black IP coating to create its distinct anniversary-edition colorway. Since the entire watch is made from metal, resin shock absorbers are mounted between the bezel and the inner case to provide the GMC-B2100ZE-1A with the same legendary shock resistance that unites all Casio G-Shock models, and water resistance for the 50th-Anniversary GMC-B2100ZE-1A comes in at the same 200 meters that is standard across the G-Shock lineup.
Similar to other Casio G-Shock models, the dial of the GMC-B2100ZE-1A is protected by a flat mineral glass crystal, while the reverse side of the watch is furnished by a solid caseback that is secured at the corners by four small screws. However, unlike its standard-production siblings, the caseback of the GMC-B2100ZE-1A is adorned with an engraving of Casio’s 50th-anniversary emblem. Since the G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A features a fully analog display, a screw-down digital crown joins the quartet of buttons on the side of its case at 3 o’clock, and the crown appears in an octagonal profile to mirror the shape of the watch’s bezel. Additionally, despite its full-metal construction, the Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A is only slightly larger than the standard GA2100 models, and its case measures 46.3mm in diameter by 51.3mm in the lug-to-lug direction with an overall height of 12.4mm.
Just like other G-Shock models that are equipped with metal bracelets, the end-links on the 50th -Anniversary Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A don’t fully articulate, which means that the watch wears slightly larger in the lug-to-lug direction than an otherwise identical model that is fitted with a rubber strap. Those who find the standard G-Shock GA2100 to be right on the upper limit of what they can comfortably wear might feel that the GMC-B2100ZE-1A is a bit too large, although individuals with bigger wrists will likely find the increase in size to be more-or-less imperceptible. One of the main reasons behind the success of the G-Shock 2100 series has been its relatively thin profile (at least by G-Shock standards), and the full-metal GMC-B2100ZE-1A maintains these ergonomics with a case that measures only 0.6mm taller than one of the brand’s entry-level GA2100 watches.
Aside from being rendered in metallic gold and black to create the model’s commemorative colorway, the fundamental design of the dial on the Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A is the same as what can be found on the standard G-Shock GMC-B2100 watches. The sub-dial at 12 o’clock serves as a mode indicator, while the day of the week is displayed by the register at 9 o’clock, and the date is tracked by a window at the 4:30 location. However, just like other G-Shock models that opt for fully analog displays, the hands and registers perform different functions depending on the selected mode of operation. For example, when in the standard time-telling mode, the register at 6 o’clock functions as a secondary timezone display; however, this same register tracks elapsed minutes and hours when the watch is in the chronograph mode, and it displays the time for the alarm when in the alarm-setting mode.
Casio has been rolling out increasingly more elaborate dial treatments on many of its recent releases, and the 50th-Anniversary Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A showcases a harmony of different finishes across the components that form its display. Fine grooves, circular brushing, and mirror-polished accents work together to create a significantly more dynamic appearance than what we typically expect from G-Shock watches, and while Neobrite luminous material punctuates the hands and hour markers, the GMC-B2100ZE-1A also features a white LED backlight that illuminates the entirety of its display. Additionally, printed along the recessed ring that sits between the angled chapter ring and the outer perimeter of the dial is a near-invisible motif consisting of 0s and 1s that serves as a nod to the “making something from nothing” concept that inspires this 50th-anniversary model.
Powering the Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A 50th-anniversary edition is Module No. 5733, which offers a fully analog display bundled with all of the various modes and features that we have come to expect from one of Casio’s multi-function G-Shock watches. Along with being solar powered and equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, Module No. 5733 also includes a stopwatch, alarm, countdown timer, world timer, automatic calendar, power-saving function, and LED backlight. Due to its fully analog layout, using the GMC-B2100ZE-1A is a bit less intuitive than a standard digital G-Shock. However, since all of the watch’s modes and settings can be configured through the Casio Watches app, the real-world user experience is actually rather straightforward and simple, especially for those who have prior experience with the brand’s Bluetooth-equipped models.
Unlike the bracelets fitted to Casio’s entry-level G-Shock G-STEEL GM2110D watches, which are characterized by an economical folded-link construction, the 50th-Anniversary Casio G-Shock GMCB2100ZE1A is equipped with a bracelet that is similar to what can be found on the brand’s G-Shock GMB2100 models, and it features a solid-link design with a clasp that consists of machined (rather than stamped) components. Although the clasp doesn’t include an integrated extension system, all of the links are secured by tiny springbars, which means that sizing the bracelet is an incredibly simple process that can be performed with nothing more than a standard springbar tool or even a bent paperclip. Additionally, while the entirety of the bracelet is given a black ion-plated finish to match the case, a single link is colored gold and engraved with the words “50th Anniversary” to denote the commemorative nature of the model.
The standard Casio G-Shock is the undisputed champion when it comes to practicality and outright durability, but nothing about a resin case and a digital screen lends itself to a premium experience. With that in mind, the Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A is entirely free from the budget-friendly traits that characterize its entry-level siblings, and its full-metal construction combined with its fully analog display create an entirely more elevated expression of a G-Shock. With an official retail price of $930 USD, the 50th-Anniversary Casio G-Shock GMC-B2100ZE-1A is slightly more expensive than its standard GMC-B2100 siblings, and while this is undeniably quite a lot of money to spend on a G-Shock, you will have a hard time finding a more practical and durable timepiece that still offers the appearance and wrist presence of a “real” watch. For more information, please visit the Casio watches website.
