One of the greatest strengths of the Casio G-Shock line is its sheer breadth. The Japanese giant offers a G-Shock for nearly every taste and budget, ranging from sub-$100 digital throwbacks to ornately hand-carved masterworks reaching well into the mid four figure range. The Casio G-Shock G-Steel line sits firmly in the middle of this range, bringing a more premium feel and advanced features to a more affordable price bracket. While the G-Steel line has not been at the center of attention in recent years, Casio’s latest release revitalizes the nameplate with a refined new colorway. With the brand’s current movement technology and a handsome black and gold color palette, the new Casio G-Shock G-Steel GSTB100GC-1A offers a bold new face for the brand’s midrange collection.

Casio fits the G-Shock G-Steel GSTB100GC-1A with an oversized, aggressive 53.8mm stainless steel case with black ion plating. Like many modern G-Shock designs, the integrated form here is sharply angular and multi-faceted, dominated by monolithic crown guards and a rugged bezel with contrasting screws. The brand tempers this black expanse with gold ion-plated highlights, bringing a punch of refined color to the crown, pushers, bezel screws, lugs, and caseback. This black and gold color palette helps the case to avoid feeling too brutalist in initial images but still presents an undeniable modern and masculine look. Like all G-Shock models, the G-Steel GSTB100GC-1A boasts a solid 200 meters of water resistance and nearly bulletproof shock protection.

The dial of the Casio G-Shock G-Steel GSTB100GC-1A follows the all-analog pattern common to the GSTB100 family, but introduces a new opulence with the black and gold colorway. This new treatment particularly pops on the GSTB100’s signature propeller-like subdial at 9 o’clock, with intricate snailing highlighting the gold ion-plated finishing. While far from minimal, the GSTB100GC-1A’s dial design is still deceptively simple, with the textured and multi-paneled main dial surface concealing the brand’s Tough Solar charging system. The four subdial layout also houses a surprisingly deep stable of functions, including a 24-hour chronograph, a 24-hour countdown timer, a perpetual calendar, a world time function, and a daily alarm.

Casio powers the G-Shock G-Steel GSTB100GC-1A with its robust in-house Module 5513 quartz movement. In addition to solar charging and a host of complications on the dial, the Module 5513 offers wireless mobile pairing via Bluetooth to allow easy access to the functionality and telemetry of the G-Shock Connected app. The Module 5513 also offers solid battery life, lasting up to two years after a full solar charge. To finish the package, Casio pairs the G-Shock G-Steel GSTB100GC-1A with a sculpted, heavily textured black resin strap. While integrated resin straps are a G-Shock mainstay, the brand gives this particular execution a slightly more luxe look with a matte texture, signed keeper, and a gold ion-plated tang buckle to tie in with the accents on the dial and case.

Bringing the connected functionality and metal case construction of higher-tier G-Shock models together into a dramatic and affordably priced package, the Casio G-Shock G-Steel GSTB100GC-1A hits a sweet spot amid the vast variety of the brand’s current lineup. The Casio G-Shock G-Steel GSTB100GC-1A will be available online, through selected authorized retailers, and the G-Shock Soho Store in late February 2021 at an MSRP of $420. For more details, visit the brand’s website.