Last year, G-SHOCK surprised all of us with the release of its Utility Series, turning its metal-covered GM-2100 into field watches with NATO fabric straps. What was surprising wasn’t so much that the brand used its CasiOak model as its guinea pig but that it settled on the metal versions of the octagonal timepieces, which made an assertive statement but weren’t as accessible for those looking for a gateway into the field watch category. Well, the Casio sublabel is back once again with a collection that’s a bit easier on the eyes while giving fans some more choices, albeit monochromatic ones.
Leveling up the Utility Series is the new Utility Black Series. Joining the 2100 this time around are members from the 5600 and 700 lines. All three models (GA-2100BCE-1A, DW-5600BCE-1, and GA-700BCE-1A) are made with resin cases and given tactical-style blackout cases. However, the star of the show is the addition of black-colored Cordura Eco fabric straps (the previous Utility Series used non-Cordura fabric straps).
Cordura is a brand of synthetic fabric, typically made of reclaimed nylon, known for its incredible durability and water resistance, all without adding any unnecessary weight in the process. The addition of Cordura to these three timepieces makes for a very cool addition to any watch collection and increases the indestructibility of the already-rugged G-SHOCKs. It’s also important to note that all three digital watches (with the 700 and 2100 being analog hybrids) retain their signature features, respectively while also utilizing positive LCD displays. These non-inverted LCDs may not be so common with blackout G-SHOCKs, however, they certainly add utility by heightening the legibility of their dials and are a welcomed feature for this new collection.
To check out the Utility Black Series featuring Cordura Eco straps, head over to G-SHOCK’s website, where each is priced at $120.
