[G-Shock Review] GA-2000-1A9 — Carbon in Case and Removable Strap

Guys, today’s review slightly reveals a veil of secrecy [if it, of course, was] a new-fashioned protective concept of the corps, which the Japanese called Carbon Core Guard, because I have one of the representatives of the newest generation G-Shock – GA-2000-1A9. It can be said that Casio has reached a new level of reliability and security of its shock-resistant products – the transition to more durable and technologically advanced materials has long been sought, and not only the premium segment models should receive such an improvement, but also the budget middling, which is the GA-2000 series .

The Baselworld 2019 watch exhibition [which, by the way, passed a month ago] clearly made G-Shock fans aware – we witnessed the beginning of the era of carbon bodies [GWR-B1000 Gravitymaster – a lot of carbon and solid body]. Carbon was previously used in Casio watchmaking [for example, a strap with carbon inserts or a carbon bezel], but now the engineers were able to further enhance the strength characteristics of the case by adding carbon reinforcement to the inner polyurethane part.

This is what the GA-2000 “sandwich” looks like in a section:

The internal part of the case, in which the clock module is enclosed [the second one from the top] is the main link between the module, the environment and its negative effects on the electronic elements of the clock. Here it is just a polyurethane with reinforcement in the form of carbon fiber. No, this is not a solid piece of carbon, like the GWR-B1000, but here the price segment is completely different. By the way, the carbon layer can even be seen – between the polyurethane bezel and the yellow back cover. It also protects all five buttons of the clock, which are just a millimeter protrude from their “cylinders”.

In order for the “sandwich” to remain solid and not disintegrate into separate parts, the engineers provided for two degrees of reinforcement of the structure – bezel hexagon screws and polymer back cover with special projections, which are also the frame for attaching the strap.

Due to the presence of carbon, the Casio also changed the protective design of the buttons – according to sensations, they are pressed more smoothly and easily than the same GG-1000. I don’t know if the comparison with the representative of the Mudmaster line is appropriate [there are problems in terms of dirt and dust resistance of the buttons], but since the buttons look almost identical, then an analogy can be made.

GA-2000-1A9 at first glance really create the impression of something completely new and unknown. But this is only at first glance. Yes, the watch looks very bright, futuristic and stylish, but it is clearly visible – this is a representative of the GA budget series with all that it implies. I have to say right away when I took the watch in my hands, I realized the obvious advantage of carbon fiber – lightness. GA-2000 on the arm is almost not felt. The absence of sharp edges and flows on the case allows you to easily wear a watch under a shirt or any other clothing with a sleeve, while the bezel will not cling to anything.

The strap in this case – as a separate art form. High-quality two-color stylization is complemented by the detailing of the outer part of the strap — a black insert with a pyramidal texture. The wide rectangular openings for the holder [almost like those of the GBA-800 and GBD-800] refer to the sports orientation of the G-Shock, although it is unlikely that designers were guided only by this concept.

The strap is designed in such a way that the watch can be placed in a horizontal position. The absence of characteristic bends [which are a kind of “shock absorbers” under heavy loads] is compensated by a polymer rear cover, reinforced with fiberglass.

A special lever allows you to easily remove both parts of the strap in just 3 seconds. A good help for a quick replacement for a strap of a different color or type [fabric, for example], especially since there is already a model with two removable straps in the set [GA-2000E-4]. The reliability of such a simple attachment of questions does not cause, but still it’s not worth tugging once again – nothing lasts forever, as they say.

On the back cover you can see the model name, module number, serial number and the inscription “Core Guard Structure”. Under the polymer cover there is also steel, which, for obvious reasons, will not be seen. The polymer is more flexible and resilient, and therefore partly takes on the shock load. The inner steel plate serves as a good reinforcing layer and strengthens the design of the watch as a whole.

The overall style of the dial is not much different from the GA standards – the usual Ana-digi display with two electronic windows and a dial for displaying modes at the 9 o’clock position. In the first article on the [GA-2000 series – again carbon, double back cover and removable strap], we assumed the “family ties” of the case to the aviation line Gravitymaster [because of the four-digit model indexes], but a vivid look at the GA-2000 placed everything the dots above the “and” are ordinary GA series without a hint of professional orientation.

The multi-layered dial design is a youth feature. The inverted letter “X”, transparent hands and an angular digital window at the 3 o’clock mark are a purely design solution designed for the special taste of the younger generation. The mode indicator is made in a modern style in the form of a disk with pointed details. When you press the bottom left button, the disk rotates, and the 9 o’clock mark indicates the current mode.

The stopwatch for GA-2000 is not the most accurate – the measurement step is 1/100 second with a total measuring capacitance at 24 hours. The start of the counting is carried out in the stopwatch mode, while minutes and seconds are displayed in the right digital window, and a fraction of a second – in the lower one. When one hour or more has passed, fractions of a second in the window are replaced by seconds, and minutes and seconds by hours and minutes, respectively. Measurement modes – elapsed time, split-time [individual segments] and time 1.2 places.

Timer, alarm clocks, world time and automatic calendar – a basic set of features for the GA series. The Hands Shift function [moving the hands to the neutral position] works with a bang – double-clicking the backlight button on the front of the case moves the hands to the position between 4 and 5 o’clock.

The LED backlighting was very pleased – the analog zone and digital windows are separately illuminated. And personally, for the first time, I see that the Casio LED fades out gradually, rather than abruptly – a trifle, but pleasant.

Mineral glass, waterproof at a level of 20 bar, and two batteries for 3 years each [one for backlighting, one for watch functionality].

Conclusion

Can the GA-2000 be considered the usual “pass-through” G-Shock? More likely no than yes. The advantages of the novelty are obvious – a new protective design of Carbon Core Guard with a case of carbon-reinforced polyurethane, a double back cover for increased resistance to “facial” impacts, a removable strap, comfortable and pleasant at the press of a button. At the same time, the functional component is rather weak, but typical for representatives of its price category up to $ 150. The visual advantage of the 2000s is a fresh look from Casio designers on the tastes of today’s youth, many of whom appreciate not only the elite functionality of the watch, but also the overall look.

Read Quick News on GA-2000:

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• [G-Shock Comparison] GA-2200 VS GA-2000
• G-Shock GA-2000 PROs & CONs from users and experts
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• [G-Shock Review] GA-2000-1A9 — Carbon in Case and Removable Strap

All News on GA-2000 →

Firstly published, but we carefully translated into English.

Some FAQ moments about G-Shock GA-2000 Series

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GA-2000 Profile / Casio G-Shock
Average Amazon Price: $125 (yes, we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases from our links to Amazon). Check the Price on Amazon →
Year of first release: 2019
Lineup: STANDART ANA-DIGI (This Line includes Digital and Analog displays on G-Shocks that are the best in “price/quality” category. Usually have traditional digital functions, but with beautiful hands. Don’t worry, the hands won’t prevent you from seeing digits, since there is a special Hand Shift technology that moves them to the neutral position) All G-Shock Standart Ana-Digi Watches →
Best for: Teenagers, Top in G-Shock Lookbooks, Artists, Singers, Dancers…
The most distinctive specs:
– 200-meter water resistance (good for swimming but not for deep diving)
– Carbon Core Guard structure (protects the module by enclosing it in a carbon case. The case is made of fine resin embedded with carbon fibers for outstanding strength and crack resistance)
– Dual Back Cover (GA-2000 features a stainless-steel panel back that keeps the watch airtight, as well as a fine resin glass fibre case back that makes it tough against shocks)
Other colors and full specs: GA-2000 Wiki Page
Only Limited Editions: GA-2000 Limited Editions

G-Shock GA-2000 Rating System

Size	★★★★
Weight	★★★★
Functions	★★★
Materials	★★★★★
Battery Years	★★★
Price	★★★★★

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Other G-SHOCK listings GA-2000 is in!

*you may find similar watches there

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