March 23, 2021
In The Shop - In The Shop: Three G-SHOCKs That Clearly Go With Everything
When you think of G-SHOCK, you might immediately envision a bold, brightly colored, or patterned design. The brand has certainly built a reputation for being a bit avant-garde and not at all subtle . Sure, there are a few slightly more subdued models in G-SHOCK's Full Metal collection, but even many of those watches showcase a unique motif or splash of color . If you've always had an appreciation for the excess capabilities G-SHOCK watches offer but have often found the aesthetic to be a bit loud for your personal style, the collection you've been waiting for has finally arrived.
Enter the Transparent White series, a trio of nearly clear models that are neutral and versatile enough to blend in with any ensemble – a sentiment we seldom thought we'd express with G-SHOCK. With this new collection, you have the best of both worlds: the classic G-SHOCK silhouettes from the GA2100, 5600 "Square," and GA700 series packed with robust functionality, plus the understated appeal of a semi-transparent case and strap. And you can get them all right now in the HODINKEE Shop .
The GA2100SKE-7A Transparent White
The original GA2100 – aka, the "CasiOak" – first launched in the fall of 2019 and immediately grabbed people's attention for its unconventional case design. While the unique octagonal shape played a key role in the early recognition it received, the GA2100 was equally notable for its slim profile, measuring just 11.8mm thick. This makes it the thinnest G-SHOCK model in the current catalog, something the brand accomplished without sacrificing anything in the way of durability. The remarkable build is possible through the application of one of G-SHOCK's latest material innovations called Carbon Core Guard, which incorporates a thin layer of carbon fiber inside the watch to maintain its overall strength.
G-SHOCK continues to expand its popular GA2100 line with the addition of the GA2100SKE-7A Transparent White. Here, we have everything you've come to know and love about the GA2100 series in a nearly clear build that offers a subdued and minimalist take on the usually elaborate G-SHOCK design language. The GA2100SKE-7A Transparent White comes equipped with all the standard features of the GA2100 collection, including world time, stopwatch, countdown timer, multifunction alarms, and perpetual calendar functionality. In addition, it features the beloved "CasiOak" style with a resin strap integrated directly into the case that effortlessly tapers before reaching the adjustable pin buckle. Now, you have the added bonus of this striking semi-transparent treatment that pairs well with anything and everything.
The DW5600SKE-7 Transparent White
The rectangular form factor of the 5600 series, which superseded the original DW5000C "square" in the 1980s, is the archetype of the G-SHOCK design language. It's what most people think of when the G-SHOCK brand comes to mind, and it's a look that G-SHOCK continues to iterate on, offering new and different takes on a product recognized worldwide.
With the Transparent White collection, G-SHOCK has reimagined the DW5600 in a monochromatic, semi-transparent build that's light, bright, and highly wearable. The DW5600SKE-7 Transparent White features a resin construction in a uniform transparent white color scheme that creates a sleek and classic appearance. The transparent white colorway extends to the resin strap, giving the watch a cohesive look. In contrast, the DW5600SKE-7 features a black dial along with black lettering on the bezel, which provides the perfect complement to an otherwise homogeneous aesthetic.
The GA700SKE-7A Transparent White
The GA700 collection is a relative newcomer to the greater G-SHOCK family, first launching in 2016. The cases of the watches are large and knobby, with a bulbous bezel that overhangs the dial and textured buttons that create an easy-to-use operating experience. At first glance, the GA700 feels like a fairly standard modern G-SHOCK. Its functions are of the basic G-SHOCK variety, and it comes without Tough Solar or Bluetooth connectivity. However, what the GA700 series does offer is a fairly unique – almost meditative – interpretation of the passing time, now wrapped in the brand's latest transparent white treatment.
Aside from this distinctive new colorway, the GA700SKE-7A Transparent White offers the same one-of-a-kind time configuration with hours and minutes indicated through the central handset, and the passing seconds displayed in the digital aperture in the top right quadrant of the dial. Here, six bars gradually fill the display up one-by-one as each second goes by. Each bar represents 10 seconds, and once one minute has gone by, the bars reverse the sequence, decreasing one-by-one. The result is an interesting physical representation of the progression of time, more akin to the nature of an hourglass than a traditional wristwatch. This functionality in combination with the all-new transparent white treatment is yet another example of how G-SHOCK is able to play with expectations and continue to develop its design language.
Explore All The Latest G-SHOCKs In The HODINKEE Shop
Whether you prefer the modern aesthetic of the GA2100 series, the quintessential G-SHOCK vibes of the 5600 'Square' collection, or the soothing manner in which the GA700 line displays time, you can enjoy the latest intriguing entry point into the greater G-SHOCK lineup: Transparent White. If you've been looking for a go-to model for everyday wear, at just $110 each, this collection is a no-brainer. Head over to the HODINKEE Shop to explore the watches in full detail.A trio of classic silhouettes that are surprisingly subtle.